BIOLOGICAL APPROACH

• Assumptions


  • Everything psychological is at first biological
  • Study of biological structures and processes within the body (e.g. genes, neurochemistry, nervous system)
  • All thoughts, feelings and behaviours have a physical basis (as the mind lives in the brain)
  • The mind and brain are not separate (unlike cog approach)
• Genes


  Consists of DNA which codes physical features of an organism, psychological features and the chromosomes. Genes are inherited through transmission from parent to offspring
• Genotype


  A set of genes one possesses
• Phenotype


  The physical characteristics of an individual determined by genes and environment
• Twin studies

  • Used to determine the likelihood that certain traits have a genetic basis
  • Concordance rates are compared between pairs of twins
  • Studies the extent to which both twins share the same characteristic
  • MZ vs DZ twins (identical vs fraternal/non identical) MZ share 100% genes DZ 50%
• PKU- The case of phenylketonuria(the interaction of genes and ev)

  • A rare genetic disorder detected in babies through heel prick test
  • It can cause severe learning difficulties
  • If detected early enough, using a restricted diet the child will develop normally
  • This demonstrates how a genetic illness can be combated through the phenotype (diet an environmental/nurture factor)
  • Shows how human behaviour depends on an interaction between inherited factors and environment
• Evolution and behaviour

  • Darwin's theory of natural selection
  • Any genetically determined behaviour that enhances an individuals survival will continue in future generations
  • No one 'decides' some genes give certain advantages making the possessor more likely to survive, reproduce and pass on traits
• (AO3) Strength in methods of investigation

  • Uses precise and highly scientific methods
  • fMRIs, EEGs, family and twin studies, drug trials
  • This makes it possible to accurately and directly measure biological and neural processes in ways that aren't subject to bias
  • This therefore produces a qualitative basis of research that can then be further explored and compared to derive basic laws, fundaments and information
  • High internal validity and reliability
• (AO3) Strength in real life application of research

  • Increased understanding of biochemical processes in the brain has led to the development of psychoactive drugs which are able to treat serious mental illnesses (e.g. OCD, depression)
  • Sufferers are able to manage their condition and improve their QOL, living a relatively normal life
• (AO3) The limitation of causal conclusions

  • BA offers explanations for mental illness in terms of neurotransmitters in the brain
  • This comes from studies that show how a drug may reduce symptoms of a mental disorder and is then therefore assumed that the neurochemical in the drug causes it
  • An association/correlation does not establish a cause and effect relationship
  • Therefore limitation, BA claims to have discovered causes when its merely an association, may be over relying on research
• (AO3) Biologically determinist 


  • Sees human behaviour governed by internal, biological causes which we have no control over
  • Wider implications for the legal system and society as law suggests offenders are seen as legally and moral responsible for their actions
  • A discovery of a 'criminal gene' or genetic associations to crime may complicate this principle