biological approach

• the biological approach suggests that everything psychological is at first biological

  • must look to biological structures and processes within the body
• according to the biological approach, all thoughts, feelings and behaviour ultimately have a physical basis
• Behaviour geneticists study whether behaviour characteristics are inherited in the same way as physical characteristics
• what studies are used to determine the genetic basis of behaviour?

  Twin studies

  • determine the likelihood that certain traits have an agentic basis by comparing concordance rates
  • monozygotic twins have higher concordance rates than dizygotic twins
• concordance rates

  the extent to which both (twins) are found to have higher concordance rates
• genotype 


  genetic make-up
• phenotype 


  the way that genes are expressed through physical, behavioural and psychological characteristics
• the expression of genotypes is inevitably influenced by environmental factors
• human behaviour depends upon an interaction between inherited factors and the environment
• Evolution and behaviour

  Darwin proposed the theory of natural selection

  • 'any genetically determined behaviour that enhances an individual's survival will continue in further generations'
• 2 Strengths of the biological

  • scientific methods of investigation
  • real-life application
• How does the biological approach use scientific methods of investigation?

  Based on reliable data

  • precise and scientific data: scanning techniques (fMRIs and EEGs)
  • with advances in technology, it is possible to accurately measure biological and neural processes in ways which are not opened to bias
• how does the biological approach have real-life application?

  increased understanding of biochemical processes has led to the development of psychoactive drugs

  • these have revolutionised treatments for many
  • sufferers can manage their condition and live a relatively normal life
• 2 limitations of the biological approach

  • Casual Conclusions
  • determinist views of behaviour
• How does the Biological approach have causal conclusions?

  Offers explanations for mental illness only in terms of neurotransmitters in the brain

  • from studies showing the drugs reduce symptoms
  • discovering an association between two factors doesn't mean that one is a cause
• How does the Biological approach have a deterministic view of behaviour?

  it sees human behaviour as governed by internal, biological causes over which we have no control

  • implications to the legal system and wider society
  • law states that offenders are seen to be responsible for their actions
  • blaming genes may complicate that principle