A03

• * scientific?

  • objective
  • uses lab experiments so has high internal validity
  • all evs are controlled so can establish cause & effect relationship between bio structures & their influences on behaviour
  • internal
  • can empirically measure behaviour & make accurate generalisations of human behaviour
  • shows that bio structures & processes do have role in influencing behaviour
• * real life applications?

  • has been crucial in development on number of areas in psych
  • anti depressant drugs are given to people with depression as it suggests its a chemical imbalance
  • ecological
  • principles have helped many with their mental health & shows neurochem affects behaviour
  • has economic implications as treating disorders means people can go to back to work sooner thus paying taxes & contributing to economy
• X deterministic

  • suggests that human behaviour is pre determined & driven by internal bio structures
  • pro: helps predict & prevent future behaviour
  • con: neglects free will & idea that people have capacity to change their own behaviour
  • has negative implications on society as removes blame & responsibility from a person
  • ignores other factors environmental & indivdual differences which may contribute to human behaviours stating its all down to our biology
• X reductionist

  • reduces something complex such as human behaviour down to its most simplistic component - behaviour influenced by biology - genes/bio structures
  • pro: allows us to research in great detail so it is likely to be scientific
  • con: ignores other factors which could have an influence on human behaviour such as environment we are brought up in & free will
  • complex behaviours cannot be reduced down to such a simple explanation that all behaviour is influenced by bio structures/processes as there are other factors to take into account
• * evidence to support from phineas gage

  • phineas gage survived fatal accident where metal bar passed through skull & brain causing severe impairement
  • intellectual ability not affected but personality was
  • he became quick tempered & foul mouthed due to damage to frontal lobes - affects behaviour
  • shows how physical makeup of our biology has an impact on both physical & psychological behaviours