Biological

• Genotype

  • They genetic make-up of an individual e.g. eye colour
  • A combination of inherited genetic material from both parents
• Hormone

  • Chemicals produced by endocrine glands, which cause a physiological reaction in cells e.g. testosterone, oestrogen, adrenaline
• Gene

  Part of chromosome of an organism carrying inheritable information
• Natural selection

  • The process by which characteristics which enhance reproductive success and/or survival are passed down, thus becoming more widespread in the population
• Neurotransmitter

  • Chemical messengers which can stimulate or calm our brain
  • Common examples are dopamine and serotonin
• Phenotype

  • The observable characteristics of an individual
  • May differ from genotype dues to an interaction between genes and environment (epigenetics)
• Causes of behaviour

  • Genetics (inheriting a genotype)
  • Neurochemistry (hormones and neurotransmitters)
  • Nervous systems (structure and function of brain regions and neurons)
  • Evolution (influence of natural/sexual selection, dis/advantages behaviours)
• Scientific method?

  • Yes as it is objective and processes should be replicable
• Animal research?

  • Animals that are biologically similar are valid subjects of study (e.g. mammals)
• Free will?

  • All predetermined as it is innate
  • Biological determinism
• Real world application

  • Increased understanding biochemical processes in the brain has led to the development of psychoactive drugs that treat serious mental disorders like depression and OCD
  • Although they may not be effective of all the clients, they have revolutionised treatment for many
  • This is a strength because it means that people with mental disorders are able to manage their condition and live a relatively normal life, rather than remaining in hospital
• Reductionist

  • It reduces human behaviour down to just biological reasons and ignores the effect of emotions and sociocultural context
  • However, this could be helpful when looking at scientific approaches as it ensures that research is objective
• Scientific (strength)

  • The biological approach makes use of a range of precise and highly scientific methods
  • Techniques like fMRIs and EEGs, family and twin studies, and drug trials
  • With advances in technology, it is possible to accurately measure biological and neural processes in ways that are not open to bias
  • This means that the biological approach is based on reliable data
• Deterministic

  • Biologically deterministic as it sees behaviour as only governed by internal, biological causes
  • This means that the approach ignores the influence of free will
  • Therefore it oversimplifies behaviour as fixed and predetermined
  • Damages the credibility of the biological appraoch