Biological Approach

Created by

academic weapon🎆

Cards (23)

Follows a nomothetic approach.
Believes behaviour to be consequence of genetic and physiology.
Biological psychology: Study of the biology of behaviour, focuses on the nervous system, hormones and genetics.
Examines relationship between mind and body.
Role of Evolution
Behaviours are result of adaptive responses to the demands of the environment.
Traits that have allowed individuals to survive and reproduce have been passed down and become widespread.
Humans are similar to animals so therefore research can be carried out on both.
Patterns of behaviour are inherited so therefore behaviours have adaptive evolutionary purpose.
Role of Evolution: Natural selection
Characteristics that aren't suited to a species environment will die out as it struggles to survive and will evolve over time so that only adaptive characteristics are inherited.
Influence of Genes
Genes carry instructions for particular characteristics: temperament, IQ.
How the characteristic develops depends on a gene's interaction with other genes and the environment. (Nature and Nurture debate).
Influence of Genes: Nature and Nurture
Interested in the relative construction of each to a behaviour.
Nature = Genes, Nurture = Environment.
The extreme biological approach assumes that characteristics are solely determined by nature.
Influence of Genes: Genotype
Collection of all the genes within a cell.
Genes carry instructions for specific behaviours and these are written within the genotype.
This is hereditary.
Influence of Genes: Phenotype
Expression of the genotype.
Physical appearance and personality differences that results from interactions between the genotype and the environment.
Influence of Genes: Identical Twins
Identical twins are monozygotic so share 100% of their genetic makeup. If separated at birth, they could display different behavioural characteristics as a result of the interactions between genotype and phenotype.
Influence of genes on behaviour
Heritability: whether traits are down to genetics
High heritability of a trait: genetic factors play an important role in that behaviour.
It is argued that the heritability of OCD is high and individuals with a first degree relative with OCD are 5 times more likely to develop it than the general population.
Influence of Brain Structure
Biological approach also looks at brain structure, suggesting that particular actions and behaviours can be pinpointed to particular areas of the brain. (Localisation of function). An example of this comes from investigations into brain damaged patients who subsequently have had behaviours affected e.g HM, KC.
Brain Structure: Parietal lobe
Responsible for sensory information, touch and pain.
Brain Structure: Occipital lobe 
Responsible for visual information.
Brain Structure: Frontal lobe
Responsible for speech, thoughts and learning.
Brain Structure: Temporal Lobe
Responsible for hearing and memory.
Development of brain scanning techniques (PET, MRI, EEGS) has allowed us to observe brain activity when completing certain tasks, this means that we know which areas of the brain are involved in particular behaviours/skills.
Influence of Neurochemistry
Action that takes place at the synaptic gap can influence behaviour. The nerve impulse can either lead to excitatory or inhibitory action in the brain.
Influence of Neurochemistry
Impulses are transmitted between 2 neurones at a synapse: junctions where neurotransmitters are released that inhibit or excite other neurones to achieve different responses.
Influence of Neurochemistry: Dopamine
Excitatory neurotransmitter.
Associated with drive and motivation.
Research suggests that high levels of dopamine are linked to schizophrenia and aggression.
Influence of Neurochemistry: Serotonin
Inhibitory neurotransmitter.
Responsible for calming function on brain/mood.
Low levels of serotonin can be linked to anxiety, depression and OCD.
Influence of Neurochemistry: Fight or Flight 
Key evolutionary survival mechanism whereby the body primes itself for imminent danger.