Biological approach

• what are the assumptions of the biological approach


  physical processes in the body impact our behaviour. the mind and brain are the same thing. everything psychological has an innate biological basis
• what do behaviour genetics study


  if behavioural characteristics are inherited like physical traits are
• what are twin studies used for


  to see if some traits have genetic basis
• what are monozygotic twins


  identical
• what percentage of genes do monozygotic twins share


  100
• whats a genotype


  genetic makeup
• whats phenotype


  ways the genes were expressed through characteristics
• what are phenotypes influenced by


  environment
• what does most of our behaviour depend on

  interaction between inherited factors and the environment
• what changes allow species to adapt


  physical and behavioural
• what are examples of natural selection in humans

  aggression, social releasers, OCD
• what did Bowlby suggest about social releasers


  babies born with cute features to catch adults attention which activate innate adult attachment system . This enhances infants survival to live so physical characteristics become more widespread
• explain the strength: Large range of highly precise and scientific methods


  for example twin studies and drug trials. Advanced technology allows accurate measurements of biological and neural processes. Highly controlled environments so its replicable. Reliable and objective data
• explain strength: provided clear predictions

  research of neurochemical imblance in depression led to development in drug treatment to minimise depressive symptoms allowing patients to live normal life and not have to be in hospital. High external validity. These principles could explain behaviour and support treatments.
• explain limitation: twin studies assume MZ and DZ twins share the same environment 


  MZ twins treated more similarly by parents as they're identical. Findings seen as supporting nurture rather than nature. Difficulty getting results where DZ twins show higher concordance rates than ordinary siblings. DZ twins and ordinary siblings both have 50% genes in common
• explain limitation: Biological approach is reductionist


  lots of explanations on mental disorders are reductionist as genes are seen as the main causes of these disorders. These aren't complete explanations of behaviour as other factors contribute to mental disorders