Biological approach

• Key assumptions 


  -Humans are viewed as biological beings and is expected that behaviour should be explained referencing genetics and neurotransmitters.

  -some behaviours are influenced by genetics. Genes are inherited and shaped via evolution.

  -attempts to localise cognitive and behavioural function in the brain.

  -Role of biochemicals in regulating mood and behaviour, imbalance leads to mental illness.

  -is an advocate for scientific method.
• Genotype


  genetic information which codes for how traits should develop. Passed down from parents. like eye colour.
• Phenotype 


  Genotype and environment = phenotype like height and obesity.
• Twin studies: 


  -Mono-zygotic 100% genes in identical gene twins.

  -Di-zygotic 50% genes in non-identical twins.

  -Investigates how much of a phenotype is caused by genes and how much is shaped by environment.

  -Calculate concordance rates helps assess heritability of mental disorders in MZ twins have greater concordance rates and both siblings suffer with OCD.
• Biochemicals 


  -chemical messengers released by nervous and endocrine system. An imbalance can lead to development of mental disorders and abnormalities.

  -Neurotransmitters: -dopamine= reward - serotonin=mood -GABA= calming

  -Hormones: -adrenaline= flight or fight -cortisol= stress -melatonin= helps with sleep cycle.
• Evolution


  -some off springs are born with mutations.

  -It allows them to better adapt to the environment.

  -Those with the genetic mutation will pass it down through generations and have higher survival ways to adapt and reproduce better.
• Areas of the brain that influence behaviour:

  -Hippocampus: memory (long-term episodic) and spatial navigation memory.

  -Boroca's area: speech and language (fluency).

  -Wernicke's area: ability to speak words.

  -Ventral tegmental area: Dopamine reward pathway activity - feeling of reward.
• Evaluation of biological approach - strengths

  +Practical application: understanding impact of mood and behaviour has resulted in drug therapy. It benefits the economy; people return to work and less need for trained CBT. Not all those suffering from depression respond to drug therapy. Underestimates influence of others

  +Scientific method: lab experiments, controlled hypothesis testing allows for confidence in cause and effect relationships. Lab settings and standardised conditions allows for replication as assesses for reliability.
• Evaluation biological approach - weaknesses

  -Biologically reductionist: reducing why behaviour is like it down to level of the genes or neurotransmitters. Underestimates more holistic levels for behaviour like cognitive or behavioural.

  -Socially sensitive research: genetic influence on peoples behaviour has ethical implications and wide ranging impacts for individuals. Discovery of genes increases risk of mental illness as sometimes you carry the gene but hasn't been triggered and might never be. e.g. criminals can blame their criminal acts on been mentally ill.