The biological approach

• Explain why the biological approach following a scientific method is a strength

  The biological approach follows the scientific method. This allows for reliable and valid data on which statistical tests can be performed.
• Explain why having practical application are a strength of the biological approach 


  Similar to the cognitive approach, the biological approach allows for the development of biological treatments. For example, depression is caused by an unbalance in neurotransmitters, and then treatments can be tailored accordingly. This makes the approach useful and applicable.
• What are the 4 key assumptions of the biological approach

  Assumptions 1)chemical imbalances can affect behaviour 2) Human Behaviour has evolved. 3) Behaviour can be inherited (as it is determined by genetic information) 4) Brain and the mind are the same
• What is the Nature-nurture debate


  key argument in psychology, over the relative influence of biology and environment on the characteristics of an individual; an extreme biological approach assumes that these are determined solely by nature.
• Explain how the biological approach uses Evolution as basis of behaviour


  Charles Darwin’s work on the Origin of Species (1859) described the process of natural selection; characteristics that are not suited to a species’ environment will die out as it struggles to survive, and with time will evolve over generations so that only adaptive characteristics remain in future offspring. This is used to describe why different behaviours are still present and others die out
• Explain the biological approachs genetic basis of behaviour

  Believes there is genetic basis for behaviour , it assumes that behaviours are inherited and that while Not all inherited traits are necessarily observable they are still present , they conduct Twin studies using concordance rates for one specific trait to investigate the genetic basis of behaviour A high concordance rate indicates the extent to which the behaviour is genetic (with twin studies generally finding evidence of high rates between MZ twins)
• Effects of brain physiology and neurochemistry


  Interactions between regions of the brain help to control different functions, which biological psychologists assume to be significant in determining our actions. For instance, the occipital lobe is involved heavily in processing sight, along with the frontal lobe, which is thought to be involved in control and attention.
• What are some Issues And Debates with the biological approach 


  Free will vs. determinismNature vs. nurtureCross-cultural research.Holism vs. reductionismIdiographic vs. nomothetic