Biological approach

• Genotype examples 


  Blood group, eye color, intelligence
• What is genotype


  Unique genetic makeup, coded in chromosomes.
• Assumptions of biological 


  physiological- everything has biological cause- investigate how nervous system and hormones affect behaviour
• Phenotype examples


  Weight, physique
• What is phenotype


  Combined effects of genetic makeup + environment
• Nature vs nurture


  Extent of Influence of biology and environment on characteristics- biologists believe nature
• natural selection 


  By Darwin, characteristics not good will die out - over generations only adaptive characteristics remain
• Genes?


  Genetic info carried by DNA in chromosome, passed on by generation, genes form basis of behaviour as they are heritable
• What is the neurochemical basis of behaviour

  Chemicals in brain. behaviours rely on transmission via Neurotransmitters and synapses.
• Imbalance of neurotransmitters leads to?

  mental disorders e.g low serotonin causes OCD, use drugs to increase serotonin and reduce OCD
• One strength of biological approach

  Real world app. Helps understand neurochemical process of brain. Led to SSRI development for OCD. Manage conditions better
• Another strength of biological

  Scientific methods. Precise+ objective. Such as brain scans (FMRI) - no bias. Reliable
• Weakness of biological 


  Biological determinism. See’s behaviour caused by internal with no control. Simplistic + ignores effect of environment