Influence of biology on behaviours and traits

• Where do people think our mind lives ?

  Our brain
• What do our thoughts and feelings have?

  A physical basis
• What are the 4 ways biology affects our behaviour?

  Genes and DNA

  Neuroanatomy

  Neurochemistry

  Evolution
• How do genes and DNA affect our behaviour?

  They are inherited and DNA creates instructions to create proteins which influence our characteristics
• How does neuroanatomy affect behaviour?

  different parts of the brain have different functions effecting our behaviours
• How does neurochemistry affect our behaviours?

  Its all about brain chemicals and these brain chemicals at different levels effect our mood
• How does evolution effect our behaviour?

  Behaviours evolve through time
• What is the role of a neurotransmitter and neurons?

  send messages around the body
• What is a trait?

  characteristic that makes up personality
• What are some key things about traits?

  • Don't really change in different situations
  • Don't really change overtime as we get older

  They are stable
• Who and what did he think where the main biological influences?

  Eysenck though extroversion and introversion where the main biological influences
• What are the traits of extroverts?

  Outgoing and social
• What are the traits of introverts?

  Shy and quiet
• How is weather we are an introvert or extrovert determined

  By genes inherited from our parents
• How do genes determined weather you are an extro/introvert ?

  They influence the activity of the nervous system
• What sort of nervous system do extroverts have? What does this mean?

  Underactive - They need constant excitement to arouse - risky behaviours/activities
• What sort of nervous system do Introverts have? What does this mean?

  Overactive - Avoid discomfort and withdraw them selves from social situations - keeping away from exciting activities
• Strengths of Understanding the influence of biology on behaviour are...

  • Reduce some criminal behaviour - They are often extroverts and do not learn through rewards or punishment so we can use biological methods to treat behaviours of criminals
  • genetic factors - using twins (identical and non) to find out to find a heritability estimate to see to what degree are characteristics inherited
• Weaknesses of Influences of biology on behaviour are....

  • over simplified - inaccurate views on how genes operate
  • Biological influences are often less important - other influences that can explain reasons for behaviour better - learning experiences may be more important like how you are raised