Biological

• Genotype refers to the genetic makeup of an individual.
• Phenotype is the characteristic shown by a person that have occurred due to the interactions of their genes with the environment.
• An individual may have the genotype to develop a certain characteristic but if the optimum conditions/environment is not been provided then they may not fulfil the expression.
• Evolutionary psychology is inspired by the work of Charles Darwin and applies his ideas of natural selection to the mind.
• Research into the inheritability of behaviour is done by studying twins, with monozygotic twins being identical and dizygotic twins being non-identical.
• Concordance rates are the extent to which twins' characteristics are the same, which can determine if the behaviour is a product of the environment or genetics.
• The strength of the biological approach is that it uses scientific methods to investigate the genetic and biological basis of behaviour. This includes scanning techniques (e.g. MRI scans) which accurately measure biological processes, without bias. This allows empirical and objective data to be produced that support the approach.
• The weakness of the biological approach is that it has a deterministic view of behaviour as it views all behaviour as being governed by internal, biological processes to which we have no control over. This has real life implications for the legal system as criminals could avoid responsibility for their actions due to their genetic predisposition to violence. The biological approach’s ignorance of free will could lead to detrimental consequences for society.
• The weakness of the biological approach is that it is considered reductionist because it aims to explain all behaviour using genetics or biological processes. It neglects the influence of factors such as early childhood experiences, conditioning, or cognitive processes on behaviour.
• Localisation of function is the idea that certain functions (e.g. language, memory, etc.) have certain locations or areas within the brain.
• Imbalances in these neurotransmitters can be implicated as a possible cause of mental disorder.
• Neurochemistry refers to chemicals in the brain and much of our behaviours rely on the transmission of chemicals in the brain which are called neurotransmitters.
• An assumption of the biological approach is that to understand behaviour we must look at the influence of genes, biological structures and neurochemistry (chemicals in our brains) on behaviour.
• Research methods used by biological psychologists include?

  • animal and human case studies
  • drug therapy
  • scans
  • twin/family studies
• Animal studies are used to investigate biological mechanisms that govern human behaviour, often where ethical guidelines would not allow human participation. 
• How does evolution of behaviour occur?

  • A random change or mutation in genetic make-up 
  • This leads to characteristic or behavioural change 
  • If change is good/increases chance for survival, then it is likely to be passed on 
  • This means mutation has been adaptive 
• Evolution of aggression

  • Aggression at some point will have been advantageous in terms of survival e.g. for protection.
  • Therefore, increases the chances of reproduction.
  • Gene passed on to next generation and resulted in the behaviour becoming more widespread.

  Warrior gene is found in 1/3 of men
• A strength of the biological approach is that it has real-life application. Understanding neurotransmitters allows for development of psychoactive drugs to treat serious mental disorders. For example, the biological approach has influenced treatment of clinical depression using antidepressant drugs. They work by increasing serotonin levels in synapses in the brain. This allows individuals to better manage their depression symptoms and live their lives in community rather than hospital. 
• Phineas Gage who experienced a drastic accident in which a piece of iron went through his skull experienced a change in personality, such as loss of self-control, reasoning and decision-making. This change provided evidence to support the theory of localisation of brain function, as it was believed that the area the iron stake damaged (the frontal lobe) was responsible for personality.
• An assumption of the biological approach is that everything psychological is at first biological so we must first understand biological structures such as the brain. 
• An assumption of the biological approach is that all thoughts, feelings and behaviours ultimately have a biological basis.