biological approach

• Classical conditioning


  Learning through association
• Operant conditioning


  Learning through consequences, reinforcement and punishment
• Operant conditioning in real life

  • Prison token systems
• Social Learning theory assumption


  Behaviour is learned indirectly and determined by punishment or reward
• Inference in Cognitive approach

  • Gathering evidence and making assumptions
  • Theoretical models or computer models
• The biological approach is a perspective that emphasises the importance of the brain structure, physical processes in the body such as genetic inheritance and neural functions on behaviour
• What do we cover in the biological approach?

  • Genetics
  • Influence of evolution and behaviour
  • Chemistry of the body (neurotransmitters and hormones)
• Basic assumptions of the biological approach

  • Everything psychological is at first biological so we must first understand biological structures such as the brain
  • All thoughts, feelings and behaviours ultimately have a physical basis
  • Mainly studies the influence of genes, biological structures and neurochemistry (chemicals in our brains) on behaviour
• Research methods used by the biological approach

  • Animal studies
  • Case studies
  • Drug therapy
  • Scans
  • Twin/family studies
• Genotype


  Genetic makeup/code of an individual
• Phenotype


  The characteristic shown by a person that have occurred because of genes and their environment
• An individual may have the genotype to develop a certain characteristic but if the optimum conditions/environment is not been provided then they may not fulfil the expression
• Monozygotic twins are identical, Dizygotic Twins are non-identical
• Concordance rates


  Shared behaviour
• By examining the extent to which twins characteristics are the same (concordance rates) we can determine if the behaviour is a product of our environment or our genetics
• If MZ twins are raised apart in different environments yet both develop schizophrenia we can determine that the psychotic disorder schizophrenia has a large genetic component
• Evolutionary psychology is inspired by the work of Charles Darwin and applies his ideas of natural selection to the mind
• Darwin's theory argues that all living species, including humans, arrived at their current biological form through a historical process involving random inheritable changes
• Evolution of behaviour


  1. Believed to be a random change or mutation in genetic make-up

  2. This leads to characteristic or behavioural change

  3. If change is good/ increases chance for survival, then it is likely to be passed on

  4. This means mutation has been adaptive
• Example: Evolution of aggression

  • Aggression at some point will have been advantageous in terms of survival
  • Acquisition of resources
  • Protection of the family
  • Increase attractiveness to potential mates
  • Therefore, increase chances of reproduction
• There is research into genetic basis of aggression MAOA (Warrior gene) is found in 1/3 of men (Lea et al 2005 & 2006)
• The basic assumption about the biological approach is that all behaviours can be explained through biological basis such as genetics, central nervous system or hormonal
• Concordance rate


  Shared behaviour
• How do Biological psychologist research behaviour?

  • Twin studies
• Parts of the nervous system

  • Central nervous system
  • Peripheral nervous system
• Psychologists look at the brain to study behaviour as most actions and reactions are generated from CNS
• Parts of the peripheral nervous system

  • Autonomic system
  • Somatic system
• Neurochemistry refers to the chemicals in the brain
• Much of our behaviours rely on the transmission of chemicals in the brain, which occurs through neurotransmitters
• Imbalances in these neurotransmitters are implicated as possible causes of mental disorders
• The nervous system consists of the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system
• The somatic nervous system is responsible for voluntary movement, while the autonomic nervous system is responsible for involuntary functions like heart rate and breathing
• Serotonin


  Associated with happiness
• Dopamine


  Associated with manic stage
• Nervous system


  • Includes senses and torso which collect information from the environment in terms of temperature, pain and threat
• Parts of the nervous system

  • Autonomic system
  • Somatic system
• Autonomic system


  Important for survival of individual. Responsible for reaction to threat and returning body to normality
• Somatic system


  Comprised of muscles and attached to skeletal system. It is important for movement
• Sample Footer Text


  Tuesday, February 2, 20XX
• Exam style question