Biological approach

• what are the three basic assumptions of the biological approach?


  - everything psychological is at first biological.

  - studies how biological structures and processes within the body impact our behaviour.

  - the mind lives in the brain.
• what is DNA?


  DNA carries the code that determines the characteristic of every living thing. Genes are the short sections of DNA found on chromosomes.
• Where do our genes come from?

  genes are inherited from our parents, where we inherit pairs of genes with one of each pair coming from each parent. Each of these genes in a pair is known as an allele.
• what are the two ways of approaching research into the genetic basis for behaviour?


  - studying genes (genotype) by looking at genes under a microscope.

  - studying family relationships and looking at phenotypes.
• how are family studies conducted?

  looking at concordance rates.
• what are concordance rates?

  the rate of similarity between two individuals for a specific trait.
• what groups of people are often investigated in concordance rates?

  twins, both monozygotic and dizygotic
• what % of genes do MZ twins share?

  100%
• what % of genes do DZ twins share?

  50%
• what are the three main types of concordance rate studies?


  - twin studies

  - family studies

  - adoption studies
• what conclusions have been made from many concordance studies?


  genetics alone does not determine our traits or disorders. Therefore there must be some interaction with the environment.
• what is a genotype?


  genetic makeup of an individual that will give the potential for characteristics.
• what is a phenotype?


  the observable characteristics of an individual. Are the result of the interaction between genetics and environmental factors.
• why is using scientific methods such as machines in the biological approach a strength?


  - results are not affected by researcher or cultural bias.

  - this means studies are likely to have high validity and reliability.

  - they are reliable and objective.
• How is the biological approach useful to applications in treatments (strength) ?


  - although we can not yet treat genes, drugs can be used to alter brain chemistry by affecting the activity of neurotransmitters.

  - drugs can treat OCD, depression, bulimia, schizophrenia e.tc..

  - in rare cases, targeted brain surgery is used to treat those who do not respond to drugs.

  - treatment of depression benefits the economy as it allows more people to be able to work.
• why is many of the biological approach studies being quasi a limitation?


  - limits the usefulness of the results as we cannot be sure of the cause and effect.
• why do biological approach studies usually need to be quasi?


  - many studies would be unethical/ impossible to do without using quasi method and findings have developed hypothesis for future research.