Biological Approach

    Cards (17)

    • Biological Approach
      An approach to psychology which focuses on the body, the brain and nervous system
    • Assumptions
      - behaviour controlled by biological structures and processes in the body
      - studied via family studies, twin studies and adoption studies
      - genes, neurochemistry and evolution
      - genetic profiling, brain scans
    • Genotype
      - particular set of genes that a person has
    • Phenotype
      - characteristics a person has based on the combination of genes and environmental factors
    • Monozygotic
      Identical twins share 100% of genes

      - 'mono' one zygote
    • Dizygotic
      Non-identical twins share 50% of genes

      - two zygotes
    • Concordance Rates
      - extent to which twins share characteristics
    • Biological Structures
      - arrangement of parts to form an organ, system or living thing
    • Twin Studies
      - investigates whether psychological characteristics have a genetic basis

      This is done by looking at concordance rates.

      If a characteristic is genetic we'd expect all identical twins to be concordant - genetic basis

      This isn't the same for non identical twins as they only share 50% of there genes - not genetic basis

      Environment factor is constant for both MZ and DZ.
    • Neurochemistry
      Chemicals in the brain that regulate psychological functions

      - impulse fires down neuron
      - releases chemicals like adrenaline and serotonin which diffuse across the synapse and binds to the next neurons receptors
      - chemical imbalance has been linked to mental health issues
      eg OCD has been linked to low serotonin levels
    • Evolution
      Natural selection is where an animal with desirable traits will continue in future generations such as giraffes with mutated longer necks outlived shorter giraffes

      Adaptations seen in humans and animals
      - memory
      - attachment
      - mental disorders
    • Evolution - Memory

      Advantage that memory has evolved as it helps us stay away from dangers like heights and spiders
    • Evolution - Attachment
      Advantage
      - we grow attachments to people that look after us so we can get food and protection while vulnerable

      Disadvantage
      - this attachment can lead to separation anxiety
    • Evolution - Mental Disorder
      Advantage
      - people with mental disorders tend to be more creative
      - anxiety means you are more aware of your surroundings
      - lots of successful people have mental disorders eg Messi who has high functioning autism
    • Evaluation - Strength - Scientific Research Methods
      - Scanning Techniques like MRIs
      - Family and twin studies
      - Not usually open to bias
    • Evaluation - Strength - Real World Applications like Treatment

      - Psychoactive drugs can treat depression, OCD etc
      - Allows sufferers to live much more normal lives
    • Evaluation - Weakness - Views Behaviour in Deterministic Way

      - Behaviour is internal and biological so cant be controlled
      - If behaviour was biological, would undermine justice system as could be used an excuse
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