Biological

• • Explain behaviour via genes, hormones, neurotransmitters. Understanding of brain structures and function can explain behaviour. Behaviour is inherited, determined by genetic information.
  • Use the scientific method
  • Genetic basis of behaviour = genes are the blueprint for physical and psychological characteristics but they express via the interaction of nature-nurture.
  • Genotype = particular set of genes person processes.
  • Phenotype = characteristics determined by genes and environment.
• Identical twins will have the same predisposition to a particular behaviour, characteristics, medical conditions but environmental factors may mean only one develops the condition.
• Evolution and behaviour - Charles Darwin proposed the theory of natural selection = any genetically determined behaviour that enhances survival will continue in forthcoming generations. Selection = the process by which individuals with the best genes/traits that survive and are adaptive are selected to mate with so theie adaptive traits are passed on to their offspring. Eventually, these become more widespread.
• AO3 -

  • RLA - drug therapy (SSRIs) created to provide treatment for OCD, typical and atypical drugs for sz, these are useful as they improve patients quality of life and help them recover quickly as drugs are mass produced and are more readily available. This has good economic implications as it means individuals who are off work due to mental disorders may return to work quicker.
  • Use of scientific method means that it is falsifiable, improves scientific credibility, high lab control and use of scientific methodology such as fMRI scans.
• • Adoption studies help separate nature and nurture and demonstrate a genetic basis of behaviour e.g. sz had a 48% concordance rate. However, the approach has biological determinism as concordance rates are never 100% either insinuating behaviour cannot only be explained via biological processes other factors such as environmental e.g. trauma may also impact behaviour which the approach ignores making it an inadequate explanation. It ignores the role of freewill and suggests everything has a biological basis.
• • The approach is biologically reductionist as simplifying complex disorders which are polygenic such as sz down to single neurotransmitters such as dopamine is inadequate. Furthermore, the treatments such as typical drugs don't always work for sz sufferers suggesting that environmental factors such as cannabis use. The biological approach should take a more holistic/interactionist approach in an attempt to explain complex behaviours and disorders and take other factors such as environment into account.
• • Biologically deterministic as it may provide excuses for people for example, Stephen Mobeley who killed a pizza shop manager tried to explain his behaviour in court by justifying his behaviour as an innate predisposition as there was a history of crime in his family. However, this proposition cannot hold up in court making the biological approach also lose some real-life application. This proposition may have negative implications for the criminal justice system as it goes against their principles.