biological approach

• assumption 1: genes can affect behaviour and personality, behaviour can be inherited.
• assumption 2: all behaviour is innate
• assumption 3: neurochemistry plays a role in the nervous system and behaviour (endocrine).
• what side of the debate is the biological approach on?

  nature
• natural selection is the process by which individuals with traits that are better suited to their environment survive and reproduce.
• evolution refers to the change in the inherited characteristics of a population over time.
• genotype: the genetic make-up of an individual organism.
• phenotype: the observable characteristics of an individual resulting from the interaction of its genotype with the environment.
• the human nervous system is comprised of the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system.
• the frontal lobes of the brain are responsible for reasoning, speech, thought and learning.
• the temporal lobes of the brain are responsible for hearing, memory, and language.
• the parietal lobe of the brain is responsible for sensory perception such as touch, taste, smell and pain.
• the parietal lobe of the brain is responsible for sensory perception such as touch, taste, smell and pain.
• the occipital lobe of the brain is responsible for vision.
• strengths: makes use of the scientific method, uses experimental method as its main mode of investigation. Such studies take place in highly controlled conditions such as lab studies and are often replicable adding to its validity and objectivity - cementing the biological approach as a valid explanation for behaviour.
• strengths: applicable approach, provides clear predictions for behaviour, can be used to predict behaviour in real-life situations. research into neurochemical imbalance and depression has led to development of drug treatments - there is value in adopting the biological approach as an explanation.
• weaknesses: reductionist, ignores other factors that may influence behaviour. The biological approach focuses on one aspect of human behaviour (biological) ignoring social, psychological or environmental influences which could have contributed to behaviour.
• weaknesses: deterministic, assumes all behaviour is determined by biology. This viewpoint does not allow for free will and choice. It also fails to acknowledge the role of personal responsibility in shaping our own lives.
• weaknesses: overgeneralisation, assumptions made about individuals based solely on their genetics. For example, if someone has a genetic predisposition towards schizophrenia it doesn't mean they will definitely develop this disorder. There are many other factors at play including environment and lifestyle choices.
• The peripheral nervous system is divided into the parasympathetic, autonomic, somatic and sympathetic nervous systems. (PASSY)
• The central nervous system is comprised of the brain and the spinal cord.
• An example of a hormone is adrenaline, which is released by the adrenal glands and causes the heart to beat faster in overly stressful situations. This is referred to as fight or flight.
• How does synaptic transmission work?

  electrical impulses travel to the synapse and trigger the release of neurotransmitters. The chemicals then diffuse between the synaptic cleft. Then the neurotransmitters bind with receptors on the postsynaptic membrane.