Approaches

• The biological approach considers the role of hormones, neurotransmitters, and genetic predispositions in shaping behavior and mental processes.
• the biological approach suggests everything psychological is biological and therefore behaviour must be observed via biological structures , nervous system, genes and neurochemistry
• biological perspective is that the mind lives in the brain and that all thoughts, feelings and behaviour has physical basis
• Study whether behavioural characteristics like :intelligence, personality, are inherited the same way as physical characteristics like height and eye colour.
• use twin studies to determine likelihood certain traits have a genetics basis by comparing concordance rates.
• A concordance rate is the extent in which both twins share same traits characteristics. MZ share 100% of each other genes, DZ share 50% of each others genes
• an individuals genotype is set of genes that is unique to person whilst a phenotype characteristics that are determined by both genes and environment
• For example identical twins may differ from one another due to environmental factors like dyed hair so despite sharing same genes the way expressed is different, therefore biological psychologists accepts that much human behaviour is determined by nature/ inherited factors and nurture
• a strength of the biological approach is that it uses scientific methods this includes scanning techniques such as fMRIS and EEGS which are done in highly controlled lab settings, gives the approach validity. therefore the results obtained are reliable as they could easily be replicated to check validity of them
• a further strength of the biological approach is that  recognises the importance of the scientific method. 

  Because there is high support from lab studies containing standardised procedures . This allows other researches to replicate research studies and increases the reliability of this approach .
• a further strength of the biological approach is that is has real life application about the effects of neurotransmitters on the behaviours of people who are genetically related ... the increased understanding of bio-chemical process has led to development of drug treatments that can be used to control and correct imbalances or symptoms of depression EG SSRIS used to treat depression and balance levels of serotonin. Therefore has Real life Application and individuals can manage their condition than remain in hospital .....
• However it is important to note that drug treatments can have significant side effects and may not be suited for everybody they have revolutionised the way we treat certain psychological disorders. 
• A limitation of the biological approach is the it is biologically determinist suggesting that we have no control over our human behaviours and dismisses free will due to our internal biological processes for example our brain. 

  This therefore has wider implications on the legal system and society 

  The discovery of the criminal gene (MAOA) has raised questions if the justice system should automatically hold people with the gene morally or legally responsible 
• The cogniitve approa
• cognitive approach focuses on behaviour that are private and can't be observed and argues internal mental processes can be studied scientifically , investigates private processes like memory perception and thinking indirectly making inferences about minds on the basis of behaviour.
• an inference conclusions drawn about the way mental processes operate based on the way observed
• one way to study internal mental processes use of theoretical models, one is the information processing approach suggesting that information flows through stages include. input, storage and retrieval
• cognitive approach also uses computer models comparing mind to a computer suggesting the similar ways in which info is processed use the concept of central processing unit (CPU) , coding, stores to hold information and decoding
• the role of the schema states that cognitive process are affected by persons beliefs or expectations… known as schemas
• Schemas are experiences of information ideas that we build our mental framework on
• eg of schema : babies are born with simple motor schema for innate behaviours like sucking and grasping
• As we get older our schema becomes more detailed and sophisticated for everything
• Schema enable us to process lots of information quickly and this is useful as a sort of mental short-cut that prevents us from being overwhelmed by environmental stimuli.

  However, schema may also distort our interpretations of sensory information, leading to perceptual errors
• Cognitive neuroscience is the the scientific study of the influence of brain structures on mental processes.
• examples of cognitive neuroscience

  damage to frontal lobe led to permanent impair of speech production

  with advances in brain imaging techniques such as fMRI and PET scans,

  that scientists have been able to systematically observe and describe the neurological basis of mental processes.
• Scanning techniques have led to the research of long term memory

  tasks that required the use of episodic and semantic memory, Tulving were able to show how these different types of long-term memory may be located on opposite sides of the prefrontal cortex.
• Another emergence of cognitive neuroscience has expanded recently to include the use of computer-generated models that are designed to 'read' the brain.

  This has led to the development of mind mapping techniques known as 'brain fingerprinting'.

  One possible future application of this could be to analyse the brain wave patterns of eyewitnesses to determine whether they are lying in court!
• One strength of the cognitive approach is that less deterministic than other approaches as it recognises the role of free will in our behaviour. It is important to note that the cognitive approach is still somewhat deterministic as it compares the human mind to a computer with the theoretical model which suggests that humans think in a certain process via the (input decision making output) of information processing 

  However it acknowledges that how we as humans behave depends on how we interpret stimuli therefore this approach is less deterministic 
• A strength of the cognitive theory is that it has high scientific credibility this has support from highly controlled experiments and it has developed into controlled research into memory. 

  Additionally the theory is supported by fMRI or MRI scans because they each produce objective data. 
• One limitation of the cognitive approach is that it is a machine reductionist . 

  This is because it has reduced human behaviour to computer and it ignores other factors that have contributed to their  Behaviour ie : emotion and motivation.

  Also the approach does not consider some differences between humans and computer for eg humans sometimes forget and make mistakes whilst computers don’t. 

  Likewise even though it explains why we behave the way we do therefore this approach has limited in its ability to explain human behaviour 
• SLT - Bandura agreed with behaviourists that behaviour is learned through experience and proposed that people learn through imitation ( copying behaviour of others) and observation so focuses on mental/ indirect processes ( less deterministic)
• learning occurs via vicarious reinforcement .... individual observes behaviour but also consequences . Imitation only occurs if behaviour seen to be rewarded than punished leading to vicarious reinforcement
• SLT acts as a bridge cognitive and traditional SLT since focuses on how mental processes involved in learning which mediate to determine that response is acquired
• 4 processes are

  Attention- notice behaviour

  Retention- extent to behaviour is remembered

  Motor reproduction- ability to perform behaviour

  Motivation- will to perform behaviour if punished or rewarded

  A and R = learning of behaviour M and M = performance of behaviour

  These do not need to occur together can be stored and reproduced later
• People most likely to imitate behaviour with people they identify with this is a Role Model

  traits of role model

  • similar characteristics
  • attractive
  • high status
• One strength of the social learning theory is that its based on a study that was conducted in a laboratory 

  This is a strength because the study has high levels of control meaning the data gathered is objective. 

  Also has standardised procedures which meant the study can be replicated making the data reliable . Therefore increasing reliability of theory explanation for behaviour 
• The theory is based on the BOBO doll study
• The laboratory setting of the study raises questions about the validity of the theory
• It is unclear if children would behave similarly in a real-world setting compared to the artificial laboratory setting
• Children may behave differently in a playground with real children compared to interacting with a BOBO doll