biological approach

• biological approach


  suggest that everything that is psychological is at first biological

  • so to fully understand human behaviour must look at biological structures and processes
  • such as: genes, neurochemistry and nervous system
• gained prominence 


  due to advances in technology (brain scanning techniques) and increased understanding of genetic basis of behaviour
• beliefs

  mind and body are the same (unlike cognitive)

  • the mind lives in the brain = thoughts, feelings and behaviour have a physical bias
• neurochemistry


  refers to the chemicals in brain the regulate psychological functioning
• serotonin


  inhibitory

  • inhibit aggressive responses to emotional stimuli and increase self control
• dopamine


  regulates mood and attention

  • also linked to schizophrenia
• endorphins 


  released when we feel pain or stress
• oxytocin


  produced in pituitary gland produces feelings of contentment and calmness
• adrenaline 


  excitatory

  • inked to fight or flight
• melatonin


  produced by pineal gland

  • helps regulate sleep-wake cycles
• cortisol


  stress hormone released by the adrenal cortex in response to a stressor
• genetic basis of behaviour


  • genes make up chromosomes consisting of DNA which codes for physical features f an organism (height)
  • as well as psychological features (mental health)
  • inherited from parents
• right hemisphere

  spatial judgments
• left hemisphere 


  describe perceptions In words
• corpus collosum 


  network of fibres connecting right and left hemisphere
• extent of genetic basis studied


  by using twin concordant erates
• concordance 


  when results from research align (when everything agrees)
• explain twin studies (Bouchard and McGue IQ levels)


  • used to investigate whether certain psychological characteristics have a genetic basis
  • if identical twins (monozygotic) twins have higher concordance rates than non-identical twins (dizygotic) higher chance of behaviour being genetically determined
  • expect all identical twins to be concordant (100% same gene)
• heredity 


  the process in which traits are genetically passed from one generation to the next
• nativists

  those who adopt an extremely heredity position
• genotype


  the particular set of genes a person has (genetic makeup)

  • identical twins have the same
• phenotype 


  • = genotype + environment
  • characteristics of an individual determined by genes and the environment
  • behaviour depends on interaction between thes
• evolution and behaviour 


  Darwin proposed the theory of natural selection

  • any genetically determined behaviour that enhances survival and reproduction will be passed onto future generations
  • known as adaptive processes
• e.g of adaptive behaviour 


  behaviours like crying or clinging keep the infant close to the caregiver ensuring protection from predators and meet needs like food and warmth
• fight or flight

  adaptive response

  • prepares body to respond quickly to threats
  • confront or escape
• human mate selection 


  natural and sexual selection

  • traits that signal health, fertility and resource availability are favoured
  • increase likelihood of reproductive success
• evaluation: biological determinism

  • suggests that behaviour is caused by internal biological forces which we have no control i.e. the influence of genes
  • This has serious implications for the judicial system. The current system expects individuals to take moral responsibility for their actions, and so actions cannot be entirely blamed on genetic factors.
  • However, if a criminals gene or a schizophrenia gene was discovered, this could lead to ‘diminished responsibility’ of these individuals, as well as shorter prison sentences.
  • Therefore, BD has potentially severe real-life consequences.
• evaluation: scientific methods

  • follows it by using precise and highly objective methods such as fMRI and ECG scanning techniques
  • this is a strength because these methods allow researchers to measure physiological and neural processes accurately, free from bias (and data that can be replicated)
  • therefore, the approach is both falsifiable and based on empirical evidence enhancing its scientific credibility
• evaluation: real world application

  • contribution to understanding neurochemical processes in the brain, leading to the development of effective drug treatments
  • this is a strength because it provides practical applications, allowing individuals to manage their conditions and improve their quality of life, e.g. anti-depressants that increase serotonin levels in the brain can be used to help treat depression
  • therefore, the BA has real world evidence, offering empirical support for its value in increasing mental health care