psych

• Approach


  A perspective or view about human behaviour which involves beliefs about what causes behaviour, how behaviour can be changed, and how it can be studied
• Main approaches in psychology


  • Biological approach
  • Behaviourist approach
  • Psychodynamic approach
  • Cognitive approach
  • Positive approach
• Biological approach


  Assumes all behaviours can be explained at the level of functioning of our biological systems
• Strands of the biological approach


  • Physiological approach
  • Nativist approach
  • Medical model
• Evolutionary influences


  • Theory of natural selection - genetically determined behaviour that enhances an individual's chance of survival and reproduction will be naturally selected
  • Environment of evolutionary adaptiveness (EEA) - the environment to which any species is adapted and the selective pressures that existed at that time
• Localisation of brain function


  • Certain areas of the brain are responsible for different functions - frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital lobes
  • Broca's area and Wernicke's area are involved in language processing
• Neurotransmitters


  • Chemical messengers that relay messages between neurons at the synapse
  • Serotonin plays a role in mood, sleep and appetite
  • High levels of dopamine associated with symptoms of schizophrenia
• Evolutionary theory


  Relationships form with individuals who possess traits that enhance successful reproduction
• Males seek signs of fertility and healthiness in their partner, but females are more concerned to find a partner who can provide resources and protection
• Evolutionary theory proposes that relationships form with individuals who possess certain traits
• Evolutionary theory


  Traits that enhance successful reproduction are naturally selected
• Males


  • Mate as frequently as they can and select women who are more fertile (young) and healthy - smooth skin, glossy hair, red lips and thin waist are all indicators of youthfulness and healthiness, and add up to what we see as 'physical attractiveness'
• Females


  • Seek signs of fertility and healthiness in their partner, but are more concerned to find a partner who can provide the resources needed for offspring to survive (e.g. food, shelter)
• Parental investment theory


  Offers an explanation about why certain relationships are formed, for example, between younger women and older men. As female mammals invest more in their offspring (e.g. they carry the baby), they must be 'choosier' in finding a partner, hence will seek out the male that can provide the most resources
• Dopamine


  Associated with pleasure seeking and reward driven behaviour, so setting the goal of finding a partner, and being driven to achieve this, will give us a 'hit' of dopamine
• Oxytocin


  Linked to human bonding and increasing trust and loyalty, and high levels have been linked to romantic attachment, and it is thought that a lack of physical contact with one's partner will reduce levels of oxytocin leading to feelings of longing to bond with one's partner again
• The biological approach assumes that psychological disorders such as depression, anxiety and schizophrenia have a physiological cause
• Medical model


  Mental illnesses are like physical illnesses – they have a physical cause characterised by clusters of symptoms (a 'syndrome'), and therefore can be treated in a physical way
• Changes in the brain's neurotransmitter systems


  Will affect our mood, feelings, perceptions and behaviour
• Localisation of brain function


  Drugs target specific regions of the brain which are involved in psychological disorder
• Main types of psychoactive drugs


  • Antipsychotics
  • Antidepressants
  • Antianxiety drugs
• Antipsychotic drugs


  Treat psychotic mental disorders such as schizophrenia. Conventional antipsychotics block the action of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the brain by binding to, but not stimulating, dopamine receptors. Atypical antipsychotics only temporarily occupy dopamine receptors, and then rapidly dissociate to allow normal dopamine transmission
• Antidepressant drugs


  Depression is thought to be due to insufficient amounts of neurotransmitters such as serotonin being produced in the nerve endings (synapse). Antidepressants work either by reducing the rate of reabsorption, or by blocking the enzyme that breaks down the neurotransmitters, increasing the amount of neurotransmitter available
• Antianxiety drugs


  Benzodiazepines (BZs) slow down the activity of the central nervous system by enhancing the activity of GABA, a biochemical substance (or neurotransmitter) that is the body's natural form of anxiety relief. Beta-blockers (BBs) reduce the activity of adrenaline and noradrenaline, which are part of the response to stress
• SSRIs block the reuptake of serotonin at the presynaptic membrane, increasing serotonin concentration at receptor sites on the postsynaptic membrane
• The sympathetic nervous system is aroused when a person is scared, producing adrenaline and noradrenaline which create physiological symptoms of the 'fight or flight' response
• Drugs are generally extremely effective in treating psychological disorders, but many have serious side effects
• Drug therapy may provide an effective short-term solution, but does not address the underlying cause(s) of the disorder
• Drug therapy is cheap for the patient and efficient and easy to administer compared to other forms of therapy
• Using placebos in drug research raises ethical issues as it exposes individuals to a treatment known to be inferior
• Patients may find it difficult to remember or digest information about potential side effects of drugs, so truly valid consent is an illusion
• Medical professionals may withhold information about the drugs or exaggerate their benefits due to the 'quick fix' nature of drug therapy
• You only study one biological therapy as part of your course – drug therapy OR psychosurgery
• Biological psychologists


  • Believe that we can explain all behaviour in terms of our biological makeup
  • This approach has sub-assumptions including the physiological approach and the nativist approach
• Medical model


  Psychological disorders have a physical cause and can be treated through direct manipulation of physical bodily processes
• Localisation of brain function


  • Certain areas of the brain have different 'jobs' or functions
• Role of neurotransmitters


  • Low levels of certain neurotransmitters in the brain are associated with mental disorder
• Prefrontal lobotomy


  1. Surgical procedure involving selective destruction of nerve fibres in the frontal lobe

  2. Purpose is to alleviate severe symptoms of mental illness
• Stereotactic psychosurgery


  1. Uses brain scanning to locate exact points within the brain and sever connections precisely

  2. Procedures include bilateral cingulotomy and capsulotomy
• Deep brain stimulation (DBS)

  1. Surgeons thread wires through the skull to stimulate areas of the brain

  2. No tissue destruction, only temporary