Biological approach

• What is the biological approach ?

  The biological approach combines psychological and biology to provide physiological explanations for human behaviour
• Physiological

  The study of the body and it’s parts and how they function
• What are biological psychologists beliefs ?

  They believe that our genes influence behavioural characteristics such as intelligence and personality in the same way that they influence our physical characteristics like eye colour and height
• what are the different methods to investigating the extent that characteristics are effected by genes ?

  • Twin studies

  • Family studies

  • Adoption studies

  • Selective breeding
• What does twin studies determine ?

  Twin studies can determine the likelihood that certain traits have a genetic basis by comparing the concordance rates between pairs of twins
• What is a monozygotic twin ?

  • one Zygote - these twins are formed when a fertilised cell splits into two and forms separate embryos

  • sharing 100% of their genetic information
• What is a dizygotic (DZ)

  • Two zygotes - These twins are formed when two separate eggs both become fertilised by different sperm cells

  • share 50% of their genes
• Strength of the biological approach

  The biological approach has scientific credibility because it uses the experimental method to examine the effect of biology on behaviour in highly controlled laboratory conditions. This means that psychologists can establish cause and effect and the studies can be easily replicated
• Strength of the biologial approach

  The biological approach investigates the biological basis of behavior using measures which are largely objective such as brain scanning and measuring biochemical levels. it is possible to accurately measure biological and neural processes in ways not open to bias which means that it is based on reliable data
• Weaknesses of the biological approach

  The biological approach is a reductionist theory. This is because behaviour is reduced to its smallest component . Environmental, emotional and cultural factors are not taken into account
• Advantages of the biological approach

  Biological theories that argue biological structures, neural emisterery and genes influence behaviour are backed up by a range of empirical research studies, such as replicable and objective fMRI brain activation studies and drug trials
• Advantages of the biological approach

  The development of drug therapies is a practical action of biological research. These treat mental health conditions like OCD and depression by targeting neurochemical processes,e.g. SSRIs reducing serotonin reuptake
• Advantages of the biological approach

  The biological approach is seen as scientific due to advanced tools like fRMI scanners, genetic analysis ,and direct measurements of hormones and neurotransmitters. These methods offer direct observation in controlled studies
• Disadvantages of the biological approach

  The belief that behaviour is caused by biological factors (biological determinism) has significant implications. For example, arguing that criminal behaviour is due to a "criminal gene"could challenge legal principles of responsibility