Biological approach

• What does the biological approach suggest about psychological phenomena?

  Everything psychological is first biological
• What must we look at to fully understand human behavior according to the biological approach?

  Biological structures and processes within the body
• Where does the mind reside according to the biological approach?

  In the brain
• How does the biological approach view thoughts, feelings, and behavior?

  As having a physical basis
• What does the neurochemical basis of behavior refer to?

  The action of chemicals in the brain
• What does much of our thought and behavior rely on?

  Chemical transmission in the brain
• What are neurotransmitters?

  Chemicals that transmit signals in the brain
• What has been implicated as a possible cause of mental illness?

  An imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain
• What is the genetic basis of behavior?

  The inherited traits that influence behavior
• How are psychological characteristics inherited according to the biological approach?

  In the same way as physical traits
• What do twin studies investigate in psychology?

  Whether psychological traits have a genetic basis
• What does a high concordance rate in twin studies suggest?

  A genetic basis for the characteristic being studied
• What percentage of genes do identical twins share?

  100%
• What percentage of genes do non-identical twins share?

  About 50%
• What does a higher concordance rate for MZ twins compared to DZ twins suggest?

  A stronger genetic influence on the trait
• What is the relationship between genetic basis and psychological characteristics?

  They are inherited similarly to physical traits
• How do the genetic and environmental factors interact in shaping behavior?

  They work together to influence psychological traits
• What does the biological approach emphasize about human behavior?

  It emphasizes the physical and genetic influences
• What are the key components of the biological approach in psychology?

  • Everything psychological is first biological
  • Focus on biological structures and processes
  • Mind resides in the brain
  • Neurochemical basis of behavior
  • Genetic basis of behavior
• What are the implications of twin studies in understanding behavior?

  • Investigate genetic basis of psychological traits
  • Compare concordance rates of MZ and DZ twins
  • Higher concordance in MZ suggests genetic influence
  • Lower concordance in DZ suggests environmental influence
• How do genetic and environmental factors contribute to behavior?

  • Genetic factors provide a biological basis
  • Environmental factors shape expression of traits
  • Interaction influences overall behavior
• What are phenotypes?

  The way genes are expressed
• How do phenotypes differ?

  They vary based on gene expression
• What does PKU stand for?

  Phenylketonuria
• What do biological psychologists accept about human behavior?

  It depends on the interaction of nature and nurture
• Who proposed the theory of natural selection?

  Charles Darwin
• What is the main principle of natural selection?

  Genetically determined behavior enhances survival
• How does natural selection relate to breeding in animals?

  Farmers selectively breed animals for desired traits
• What happens if a farmer selects a cow for breeding?

  The cow's traits will be passed to offspring
• What does it mean if a trait reduces the likelihood of survival?

  It may not be passed to future generations
• What happens to traits that do not aid in reproduction?

  They may disappear from the gene pool
• How have psychoactive drugs been developed?

  From understanding neurochemical processes
• What do psychoactive drugs treat?

  Serious mental illnesses
• How do these drugs help people with depression?

  They enable management of their condition
• What is a counterpoint to the effectiveness of psychoactive drugs?

  They do not work for everyone
• What does the NIMH study suggest about antidepressants?

  They work in most cases but not all
• What is a limitation of antidepressants according to the NIMH study?

  They do not eliminate all symptoms
• What is the implication of antidepressants not eliminating all symptoms?

  Patients may still experience some symptoms
• What is the role of neurochemical processes in drug development?

  They guide the creation of psychoactive drugs
• How do psychoactive drugs affect mental health?

  They help manage mental health conditions