Evaluation of the approach

• :) Scientific approach

  • Biological explanations have clear variables that can be measured, tracked and examined
  • This enables psychologists to conduct scientific research
  • E.g. Research on drug therapy has investigated the links between psychoactive drugs and production of certain neurotransmitters, and linked this to behaviour, which fulfils the aims of scientific research – to conduct objective and well-controlled studies to demonstrate causal relationships
  • A strength of this approach is that it lends itself to scientific research that can be used to support biological explanations.
• :) Determinist approach

  • If we know what ‘predetermines’ our behaviour, we are more likely to be able to treat those with behaviour seen abnormal.
  • Psychologists seek to understand the functioning of neurotransmitters so normal and abnormal levels can be compared
  • E.g. Dopamine is linked with schizophrenia and drugs used to treat this are known to reduce dopamine levels, suggesting high levels of dopamine cause the symptoms
  • A strength of this approach is that it provides explanations for causes of behaviour which can be used to improve people’s lives.
• :) Successful applications

  • It has led to many successful applications
  • E.g. research into the relationship between abnormal levels of neurotransmitters and criminal behaviour has implications for offering pharmacological treatments to criminals, leading to lower recidivism rates
  • It has also led to treatment for mental disorders, such as drug therapy and psychosurgery.
• :( Reductionist approach

  • Reduces complex behaviours to a set of simple explanations
  • e.g. reducing the experience of stress to the action of adrenaline.
  • Reductionism is a part of understanding how systems work but in that process we may lose a real understanding of the thing being investigated. This means that a simplified explanation may prevent us reaching a true understanding of the target behaviour.
• Nature rather than nurture

  • Mental illness has multiple causes but this approach only focuses on biology (nature) and ignores life experiences (nurture) and psychological factors
  • e.g. how people think and feel
  • The biological approach to treatment is concerned with adjusting abnormal biological systems rather than talking to patients about how they feel
• :( Individual differences

  • It is a nomothetic approach which looks to make generalisations about people and find similarities
  • It tends to ignore differences between individuals
  • Research often only focuses on a few individuals and assumes that everyone’s biological systems behave in the same way
  • Biological research is based more on males rather than females participants (both animals and humans) as female hormone cycles may interfere with research
  • Such research could produce an erroneous picture of behaviour: one with a male bias.
• Strengths

  • Scientific
  • Determinist
  • Successful applications
• Weakness

  • Reductionist
  • Nature rather than nurture
  • Individual differences