biological approach

• Biological approach looks at the influence of biological factors on behaviour e.g genetics, hormones, brain activity
• the biological approach is deterministic as it suggests that behaviour is determined by biological factors only, despite there being evidence towards environmental influences
• genotype is the particular set of genes a person posesses
• phenotype is the physical expression of a gene, the phenotype is the result of the genotype and the environment
• neurochemical basis of behaviour - behaviour relies on chemical transmissions in the brain. an imbalance of neurotransmitters can cause mental disorders. e.g - low serotonin in OCD
• assumptions of biological approach - to understand human behaviour we must study biological structures within the body
• the biological approach has real life applications to mental disorders. this allows treatments such as antidepressants to be developed and used to improve the lives of others
• supporting evidence to show the role of genes in determining behaviour

  • Christiansen - 3500 pairs of twins in Denmark - investigating concordance rates of offending behaviour - 35% for MZ and 13% for DZ
  • Concordance rates suggest a possible genetic element - increases external validity of explanation