A03 biological approach

• POINT: A strength of the biological approach is its emphasis on scientific methods of investigation

  EVIDENCE: For example, a range of precise and highly scientific methods, such as fMRIs, EEGs, family and twin studies are employed by biological psychologists.

  EXPLAIN: This means it is possible to accurately and objectively measure biological, neural and genetic influence in ways that are not open to bias.

  LINK: Therefore this suggests that biological research is based on data that is reliable.
• POINT: Another strength is that this approach has real-life applications

  EVIDENCE: For example, psychoactive drugs have been developed following increased understanding of biochemical processes in the brain.

  EXPLAIN: These drugs can treat depression by targeting certain neurotransmitters (serotonin) in the brain which are associated with the disorder.

  LINK: Therefore, this is useful because it means people that suffer from such conditions can live an improved quality of life and become independent, instead of remaining in hospital.
• POINT: it sometimes draws causal conclusions, when it should not.

  EVIDENCE: For example, research evidence often assumes a relationship if a particular drug reduces symptoms of a mental disorder which might lead researchers to assume that the particular neurochemical in the drugs causes the disorder.

  EXPLAIN: This is not necessarily the case, because an association between two factors does not mean one is a cause

  LINK: Therefore, this tells us little about the actual underlying causes of certain behaviours even though causal relationships might be claimed where only associations exist.
• POINT: A further limitation of this approach is that it is deterministic

  EVIDENCE: For example, it assumes human behaviour is caused by internal, biological causes over which we have no control (i.e. no free will)

  EXPLAIN: Such biological determinism is not compatible with our understanding of the legal system, which believes that offenders are seen as legally and morally responsible for their actions.

  LINK: Therefore, this is a weakness as much of society assumes we have free will which goes against the biological approach.