Brief introduction to Biological Psychology

• Biological approach to psychology

  Concerned with how our biology (hormones, neurotransmitters, genetics + brain function) affects our psychology
• Biological approach to psychology

  Suggests that biological mechanisms are better for explaining behaviour than psychological mechanisms
• Specific areas of the biological approach

  • Mental disorders
  • Sleep
  • Circadian rhythms
  • Localisation of brain function
• Assumptions of the biological approach

  • Behaviour, cognitions + emotions can be explained in terms of the working of the brain + effect of hormones, genetics + evolution
  • Similarities + differences between people can be understood in terms of biological factors + their interaction with other factors
• Key studies in the biological approach

  • Dement and Kleitman (sleep and dreams)
  • Hassett et al (monkey toy preferences)
  • Hölzel et al (mindfulness and brain scans)
• Strengths of the biological approach

  • Uses a strict experimental method → high validity and reliability
  • Many studies have led to direct real-world applications
  • Empirical evidence backs up the idea that brain function is influenced by structure, hormones and neurotransmitters

  
• Limitations of the biological approach

  • It is a reductionist approach- many psychologists argue that it does not consider factors such as attitude, personality, motivation or culture
  • Studies are typically lab-based, so lack ecological validity and mundane realism
• Issues and debates in biological psychology

  • Nature vs Nurture- how much of our behaviour is genetically influenced? How much is learned based on our environment and experiences? Can autism be considered in this debate?
  • Reductionism- the reduction of complex psychological phenomena to their most basic parts. Is this beneficial?
  • Individual and situational- are factors about the individual or the situation more useful in explaining someone's behavior?
  • Application to everyday life- to what extent can the findings of these studies be used to explain real-life events?