A03

• Strengths of the biological approach

  1. Scientific credibility
  2. Real-life application
• Limitations of the biological approach

  1. Deterministic
  2. Causal conclusions
• Strength = scientific credibility

  • Adopts scientific methods in order to investigate the genetic and biological basis of behaviour
  • These include brain scanning techniques (fMRIs and EEGs), family and twin studies and drug trials
  • This means the data obtained is not open to bias and is highly objective
• Strength = real-life application

  • Psychoactive drugs - increased understanding of biochemical processes in the brain has led to the development of psychoactive drugs that treat serious mental illnesses (depression)
  • Has revolutionised treatment for many
• Limitation = deterministic

  • Sees human behaviour as governed by internal biological causes over which we have no control
  • Implications for legal system - discovery of a 'criminal gene' may complicate the principles of law that states offenders are legally and morally responsible for their actions
• Limitation = causal conclusions

  • A lot of evidence from biological research shows a relationship between two factors but not a cause
  • e.g. action of neurotransmitters is the cause of certain mental disorders based on studies which have shown a particular drug which aims to lower the levels of a neurotransmitter reduces the symptoms of a mental disorder
  • Discovering an association between 2 factors doesn't mean that one is a cause