biological approach

• A key assumption of the biological approach is that all psychological traits have a biological basis.
• The biological approach suggests that behaviour has a genetic basis.
• A gene is a section of DNA that has a particular genetic code for making enzymes and hormones.
• Genes contain the code required for the production and functioning of biological structures such as the brain and spinal cord.
• Our behaviour is determined by the adequate functioning of our central nervous system, hence genes have an indirect influence on our behaviour.
• Abnormality in our genes may lead to abnormalities in our biological make up, such as brain structure, leading to abnormality in our behaviour.
• The biological approach suggests that the brain controls our day-to-day behavior and is responsible for the production of our thoughts, emotions, and sensations.
• The outer surface of the cerebrum is called the cerebral cortex and is responsible for many of the 'higher-order' functions such as thought and language.
• Damage to our brain can lead to abnormalities in how we think and can consequently lead to abnormality in our behavior.
• Damage to our brain can lead to abnormalities in how we think and consequently lead to abnormality in our behaviour.
• The biological approach suggests that neurotransmitters play a role in our behaviour.
• Neurotransmitters can be excitatory (make it more likely for a neuron to fire) or inhibitory (make it less likely for a neuron to fire).
• Abnormalities in levels of neurotransmitters could lead to abnormal behaviour.
• Researchers have found that low levels of the inhibitory neurotransmitter serotonin have been linked to depression, so this shows how damage to our brain is associated with abnormalities in how we think and consequently abnormalities in our behavior.