Biological Approach

• What are the strengths of the biological approach?

  Scanning research techniques are useful for investigating the functions of the brain: an organ with obvious involvement in our behaviour that would otherwise be unobservable.

  
  

  The approach presents the strong nature viewpoint of the nature-nurture debate.

  
  

  The experimental methods used (gathering empirical [i.e. observable] evidence) make this approach very scientific.
• What are the weaknesses of the biological approach?

  The approach is considered reductionist; complex behaviour, thoughts and emotions are all equally explained by low-level biological mechanisms such as biochemicals and nerve impulses.

  
  

  Biology alone has been unable to explain the phenomenon of consciousness.

  
  

  An extreme biological approach does not account for the wide base of evidence that points to the influence of our environment (e.g. culture and society).
• What is the Biological approach?

  A perspective that emphasises the importance of the brain structure, physical processes such as genetic inheritance and neural functions on behaviour
• What are the basic assumptions of the biological approach?

  Everything psychological is at first biological so we must first understand biological structures e.g., the brain

  
  

  All thoughts, feelings and behaviours ultimately have a physical basis
• What is genotype?


  A person's genotype is their actual genetic makeup (e.g. eye colour and height)
• What is phenotype?


  Phenotype is the way that genes are expressed physically, behavioural and psychologically based on environmental factors
• What is concordance rate?


  percentages to show how many twin pairs share a particular behaviour under observation
• What is the belief of evolutionary psychology?

  We have developed certain behaviours through evolution in order to adapt to or enviornment.
• How do evolutionary psychologists explain psychological traits?

  as survival-enhancing adaptations.

  
  

  Believed to be random change of mutation in genetic makeup

  
  

  This leads to charactersistics of behavioural change

  
  

  If this change is good, it increases the rate of survival and is likely to be passed on

  
  

  This means the mutation has been adaptive
• What's an example of evolutionary behaviour

  Evolution of aggression.

  Agression at some point will have been advaageous in terms of survival e.g acquistion of resources or protection of family

  
  

  Increases attractveness to potential mates

  
  

  Increases chances of reproduction and the trait of aggression being passed on and the behaviour becoming more widespread
• What research was done into aggression?

  Research into genetic basis of aggression MAOA (warrior gene) is found in 1/3 of men Brunner et al (1993).
• What is a drawback on evolutionary psychology?

  that the traits that we possess now evolved under environmental and social conditions far back in human history, and we have a poor understanding of what these conditions were.

  
  

  Therefore, making predictions about what is adaptive for a behaviour is difficult because they don't need to be adaptive under current conditions.
• What is the role of the CNS?

  Pivotal in transferring messages to and from the environment

  
  

  Physiology of individuals is controlled here: breathing, eating, heartbeat, senses etc.

  
  

  Psychologists look at the brain to study behaviour as most behaviour as most actions and reactions are generated from the CNS
• What is the role of the PNS?


  Sends and receives information to the CNS as it is the nervous system for the limbs and torso which collect info from the environment in terms of temperature, pain and treats
• What is the role of the autonomic part of the PNS?

  Automatically regulates the function of body systems outside of voluntary control. Important for survival of individual. Responsible for reaction to threat and returning body back to normality
• What is the role of the somatic part of the PNS?

  comprised of muscles attached to the skeletal system, facilitates communication between the CNS and the outside world. The somatic nervous system is made up of sensory receptors that carry information to the spinal cord and brain, and motor pathways that allow the brain to control movement.
• What is neurochemistry?


  refers to the action of chemicals in the brain. Our thoughts and behaviour rely on chemical transmission in the brain this occurs through neurotransmitters.
• What is a neurotransmitter?


  A chemical released at the synapse
• What does an imbalance in neurochemical cause?

  An imbalance of neurochemicals in the brain affects behaviours and are a possible cause of mental illness. For example, low levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin in OCD and overproduction of dopamine in schizophrenia.
• What is the main role of the endocrine system?

  Main job is to maintain levels of hormones in the blood and other bodily fluids

  
  

  Done using glands in the body; most important is the pituitary gland (known as the master gland) found in the brain
• What is localisation of function?

  theory that specific parts the brain are responsible for specific functions