AO3 Biological approach

• AO1 six marker (mark 1)

  The biological approach is a perspective that emphasises the importance of physical processes in the body such as genetic inheritance and neural function. It suggests that everything psychological is at first biological, therefore all thoughts, feelings and behaviour have a physical basis.
• AO1 six marker (marks 2-3)

  A genotype is the particular set of genes that a person possesses, while the phenotype is the characteristics of an individual that is determined by both genes and the environment.
• AO1 six marker (marks 4-5)

  This is shown in twin studies since, despite twins having up to almost 100% of the same genes, their phenotypes can differ. Twin studies are helpful in explaining concordance rates - the extent to which twins share the same characteristics - through comparing whether both twins share the trait or not.
• AO1 six marker (marks 6+)

  The biological approach utilises natural selection to explain evolution. Evolution is the changes in inherited characteristics in a biological population over successive generations. This can occur through natural selection, which is the idea that genetically determined behaviour that enhances an individual’s survival and reproduction will continue in following generations.
• AO3 paragraph 1 (point + evidence)

  P: One strength of the biological approach is that it has real-world applications.

  E: For example, it has promoted the use of treatment of clinical depression using antidepressant drugs to increase levels of serotonin.
• AO3 paragraph 1 (explain)

  E: This is a strength because it supports the idea that neurochemistry does impact human behaviour due to an imbalance of neurochemicals in the brain. Therefore, there is supporting evidence to support the biological approach.
• AO3 paragraph 1 (counterargument)

  CA: However, some psychologists may argue that due to a study completed by Cipriani et al., antidepressants don’t work for everyone and the efficacy of them compared to placebos was ‘mainly modest’, suggesting biology isn’t the sole cause of clinical depression/mental illnesses. Highlighting that there is disputing evidence.
• AO3 paragraph 1 (conclusion)

  C: Despite this, the antidepressants do work to increase or decrease the necessary neurotransmitters. Therefore, they do affect a person’s behaviour, increasing its accuracy.
• AO3 paragraph 2 (point + evidence)

  P: One limitation of the biological approach is that it follows the idea of biological determination.

  E: For example, it argues that people with the MAOA genes will definitely become aggressive and likely a criminal due to it. They argue that they are determined to be this way no matter what.
• AO3 paragraph 2 (explain)

  E: This is a limitation because it ignores the idea of free will and that not everyone may be affected by the gene in the same way and can choose not to be aggressive or a criminal. Therefore, this ideology lacks consistency.
• AO3 paragraph 2 (counterargument)

  CA: However, some psychologists may argue that having the knowledge that the MAOA gene increases aggressive behaviour and is likely to cause criminal activity then it allows us to predict and identify the behaviour that may occur. This means that preventative measures can be put in place to reduce possible negative outcomes. Therefore, there is a high level of usefulness within this ideology.
• AO3 paragraph 2 (conclusion)

  C: Despite this, it is still a limitation since it lacks external validity as no one person may react the same to having the MAOA gene.
• AO3 paragraph 3 (point + evidence)

  P: Another strength of the biological approach is that it utilizes scientific methods.

  E: For example, to investigate the genetic and biological basis of behaviour, it uses a range of objective scanning techniques like fMRIs and EEGs.
• AO3 paragraph 3 (explain)

  E: This is a strength since the use of technology to assess physiological and neural processes reduces any bias that could occur, as there can be no demand characteristics or extraneous variables affecting the results. Therefore, it has a high level of reliability.
• AO3 paragraph 3 (counterargument)

  CA: However, some psychologists may argue that these techniques are primarily utilized within lab studies. Due to this, it has low internal validity since the environment these studies are completed in don’t replicate the participants daily life. Therefore, they may be more nervous than usual affecting any results.
• AO3 paragraph 3 (conclusion)

  C: Despite this, it is still a strength since it has a high level of infallibility because science is less likely to be wrong due to it being based off of physical evidence.