biological approach

• The biological approach


  Sees all out behaviour is rooted for our biological structure and that everything psychological has a biological basis

  1) genes- specific genes and combinations of genes will have an influence on both the physical and psychological aspects of people. Genes that code for characteristics or behaviours that are beneficial to survival will be passed on to the next generation

  2) The biological structure-the behaviour of the individual is controlled and coordinated by the brain and the nervous system

  3) The chemistry of the body-hormones in the body and neurotransmitters in the brain have a much impact on our behaviour
• Genotype

  Particular set of genes that a person possesses
• Genes

  Made of DNA which codes physical features of an organism and psychological features. Inherited.
• Biological structure

  Arrangement or organisation of parts to form an organ/system/living thing
• Evolution


  The changes in inherited characteristics in a biological population over successive generations
• Phenotype

  Characteristics of an individual determined by both genes and the environment
• Neurochemistry

  Relating to chemicals in the brain that regulate psychological functioning
• biological approach is the scientific study of how biology influences behaviour
• real-world application

  P: strength - real-world application

  E: biological promoted treatment of clinical depression using antidepressant drugs

  E: such drugs have been associated with the reduction of depressive symptoms

  L: therefore people with depression can better manage their condition
• counterpoint

  P: limitation - drugs don't work for everyone

  E: researcher compared 21 studies

  E: concluded that drugs were mainly modest

  L: therefore brain chemistry cannot account for all cases of depression for example
• scientific methods

  P: strength - uses scientific methods

  E: biological approach uses brain scanning techniques such as fMRI and EEG

  E: this makes it possible to accurately measure physicological and neural processes in an unbiased manner

  L: therefore approach based on objective and reliable data
• biological determinism

  P: limitation - deterministic

  E: biological approach sees behavior as caused by internal processes that we have no control over

  E: does this mean a criminal could blame the criminal gene for their behavior

  L: therefore biological approach often too simplistic