Biological Approach

• The biological approach uses the scientific method, including brain scanning techniques, twin studies, and drug trials, to accurately measure biological processes in ways that are not biased. It is based on objective data
• The biological approach is reductionist, attempting to explain complex human behavior with simple explanations. This may oversimplify the causes of behaviors like criminal behavior
• Disruption of neurochemistry, such as low serotonin levels, can result in conditions like OCD
• Real world application of the biological approach

  • Research into the role of neurochemical imbalance in Schizophrenia has shown that high dopamine levels in certain areas of the brain are linked to the symptoms of Schizophrenia. This has led to the development of drug treatments that correct this imbalance and minimize Schizophrenia symptoms
• The biological approach is deterministic, explaining human behavior without considering free will. This can remove personal responsibility from individuals, with potential implications in legal systems if genes are blamed for criminal behavior
• Neurotransmitters

  • Dopamine and serotonin are released at the end of a neuron to transmit nerve impulses across synapses, influencing a range of behaviors including sleep, memory, emotions, sexual behavior, and mood stability
• Hormones also influence a range of behaviors
• Research on brain imaging, neurochemistry, and twin studies provides only correlational evidence, not direct causation. There are other factors, such as shared environments among twins and families, that cannot be ruled out
• Dopamine is an excitatory neurotransmitter associated with drive and motivation. High levels of dopamine are linked to conditions like Schizophrenia and OCD
• Case studies have identified the brain structures involved in memory. For example, HM suffered from epilepsy and after an operation to remove the damaged area, he experienced anterograde amnesia, indicating the importance of the hippocampus in memory registration
• Hormones have effects on behaviors. For example, adrenaline is involved in the fight-flight response and raises heart rate and breathing rate
• Individuals within a species differ in behavior, some of which is inherited
• Case studies of brain injury, like Phineas Gage, show the relationship between brain structures and behavior
• Genetic studies, including family, twin, and adoption studies, assess the influence of genes on behavior
• Too little Serotonin could result in OCD
• Dopamine is an excitatory neurotransmitter associated with drive or motivation
• Evolution refers to changes that take place over time as individuals become adapted to the environment
• Genotype is a person's actual genetic makeup written in the DNA of their cells, inherited from both parents
• Family studies look for the occurrence of behaviors or disorders that run in families to determine genetic causes
• Individuals compete for resources, and those who survive pass on adaptive behaviors to their offspring
• Charles Darwin proposed the theory of natural selection as the mechanism for evolution
• The biological perspective focuses on mapping the relationship between brain parts and their function in behavior
• A high level of dopamine is often associated with Schizophrenia and OCD
• Phenotype is the physical appearance resulting from inherited genetic information and environmental influences
• Biopsychologists believe that behavior is influenced by genes and has evolved over time similar to physical characteristics
• Biological Approach in Psychology
• Certain behaviors are inherited
• Behavioral characteristics like intelligence, mood, and aggression are inherited from parents and are found in DNA
• An individual is typically born with a set of 23 pairs of chromosomes inherited from both parents
• The sympathetic nervous system employs the flight-fight response
• Neurochemistry: Biochemicals including hormones and neurotransmitters influence behavior. For example, high levels of dopamine are linked to compulsive behavior
• Genes have an influence on behavior
• Substantial evidence that personality, intelligence, and susceptibility to psychological disorders are influenced by genes
• Structure of the body and genes play a role in behavior including psychological disorders
• Assumptions of the Biological Approach:
• The brain affects behavior and biopsychologists are interested in the effect of brain damage on behavior