biological approach

• What does the biological approach view as the source of behaviour?

  Physiological processes
• What influences behaviour according to the biological approach?

  Brain structures, genetics, hormones, neurochemicals
• What does the biological approach emphasize regarding nature and nurture?

  Role of nature in determining behaviour
• How does the biological approach view the brain and mind?

  As the same entity
• What are the tasks related to human behaviours influenced by biological factors?

  • Find examples of behaviours influenced by:
  • Genes
  • Hormones
  • Neurochemicals
  • Brain structures
  • Evolution
• What does the biological approach suggest about the evolution of behaviour?

  It evolves like biological factors
• What is Darwin's theory related to behaviour?

  Survival of the fittest
• What is Richard Dawkins' view on genes?

  We are survival machines programmed by genes
• How do genes influence behaviour according to the biological approach?

  They are inherited and affect behaviour
• How many chromosomes does the human body contain?

  46 chromosomes
• Where are genes found in the human body?

  In the DNA of a cell's nucleus
• What do genes do?

  Provide instructions for traits
• What percentage of DNA do you share with your siblings?

  50%
• What is the genotype?

  Genetic make-up of a person
• What is the phenotype?

  Observable traits or characteristics
• How can phenotype be influenced?

  By genotype and environment
• How can identical twins have different phenotypes?

  Due to different diets or environments
• What do dominant genes do?

  Control expression of characteristics
• What do recessive genes require to influence traits?

  Both genes in the pair must be recessive
• What happens if a child inherits a blue-eyed gene and a brown-eyed gene?

  They will develop brown eyes
• How is OCD linked to genetics?

  Linked to variation of the COMT gene
• What role do neurotransmitters play in behaviour?

  They allow communication between neurons
• What are atypical levels of neurotransmitters associated with?

  Implicated in atypical behaviours
• What brain structure is important for long-term memory?

  Hippocampus
• What is a strength of the biological approach?

  It is scientific and relies on empirical evidence
• What is a practical application of the biological approach?

  Development of drugs for mental health
• What is a criticism of the biological approach?

  It is reductionist and deterministic
• What does reductionism in the biological approach imply?

  Complex behaviours are simplified to basic components
• What does determinism in the biological approach suggest?

  Behaviour is predetermined by physiological processes
• What is a limitation regarding the evolution of behaviour in the biological approach?

  Lack of empirical evidence for evolution
• What is the genotype for tooth decay in identical twins?

  Same for all twin pairs
• What does the difference in tooth decay among twins indicate?

  Phenotypes differ due to environmental factors
• What is the definition of genotype?

  Genes an individual possesses
• What is the definition of phenotype?

  Observable traits or characteristics
• What illness shows the interaction between nature and nurture?

  OCD
• What are two weaknesses of the biological approach?

  Ignores environmental factors, reductionist
• What are two strengths of the biological approach?

  Uses scientific methods, good application