Biological approach

• Genotype


  The genetic makeup of an individual
• Phenotype


  The observable characteristics of an individual
• Twin studies


  • McGuffin et al. (1996) found there is a 46% for depression with MZ twins
• Brain structure


  The physical organization and anatomy of the brain
• Localisation of function


  • Different areas of the brain are responsible for different functions e.g. motor cortex
• Phineas Gage / patient Tan


  • How brain damage to certain areas can influence behaviours
• Neurotransmitters


  Chemicals that transmit signals between neurons in the brain
• Neurotransmitter imbalances and hormones


  Can lead to differences in behaviour and psychological conditions
• Schizophrenia


  Caused by high levels of dopamine in the brain, dopamine hypothesis
• Evolution


  The gradual change in the characteristics of a species over generations, driven by natural selection
• Natural selection


  Has led to advantageous characteristics and behaviours being selected for and so are passed onto offspring
• Gendered behaviours


  May be explained by advantages for reproduction being passed on to offspring
• Scientific


  • Use of brain scanning techniques can be objectively measured to determine cause and effect
  • Good predictive value for disorders
• Practical application to treatment

  • SSRIs to treat OCD allow for more serotonin to be reabsorbed in the brain and so reduces compulsive symptoms
  • Improves the quality of life for patients
• Reductionist and determinist


  • Oversimplifies behaviours to just biological causes
  • No influence of the environments
  • Ignores the influence of free will for people to choose how they will behave
  • But this is good for predictions and treatments
• Nomothetic


  • Can be used to collect objective empirical data which can then be used to generate general laws on behaviour which can be generalised