biological approach

• Assumes that psychology should be seen as a science, to be studied in a scientific manner (usually in a lab)
• Assumes that thinking and behaviour can be explained in terms of biological factors e.g., genes and nervous system
• Assumes that human genes have evolved over millions of years to adapt behaviour to the environment
• Assumes that patterns of behaviour can be inherited. Therefore, most behaviour will have an adaptive/ evolutionary purpose
• Assumes that humans are similar to animals. Therefore, research can be carried out on animals as well as humans
• Follows a nomothetic approach as it focuses on establishing laws and theories about the effects of physiological and biochemical processes that apply to all people
• Weaknesses-

  • Reductionist- ignores the environment and cognitive processes
  • Deterministic- little room for free will
  • Behaviourism- we are born a blank slate and not with instincts at birth
  • The biological approach is dterminist and views behaviour as caused by biological factors over which we have no control
• Issues and debates

  • free will vs determinism
  • nature vs nurture
  • holism vs reductionism