Biological assumptions

• Physiological approach - a component of the biological approach all behaviour due to functioning of internal body parts such as the brain and nervous system.
• Medical model - Mental disorders are related to some change in the body such as illness.
• Evolution - physical and behavioural characteristics of species has changed over time. Theory of evolution or natural selection.
• Natural selection - evolution, inherited traits enhance animals survival reproductive success passed on to next generation.
• Cerebral cortex - outer layer responsible for higher order cognitive functions.
• Localisation of brain function - certain areas of brain responsible for different functions.
• Neuron - specialised cell in nervous system for transmissions.
• Neurotransmitter - chemical substances play an important part in workings of nervous system across synapses.
• Synapse - small gap between neuron consists on presynaptic membrane postsynaptic and a synaptic gap between the two.
• Evolutionary influences - the biological approach says that our behaviour is influenced by the process of evolution. Evolutionary theory has been used to explain how the mind and behaviour have changed over time as we have adapted to the demands of our environment. The concepts of adaptiveness is based on Darwinds theory of natural selection.
• Evolutionary influences - Idea that any genetically determined behaviour that enhances an individuals chance of survival ad reproduction will be naturally selected. A person who caries these genes will be a more attractive mate so others will want to reproduce with them and the genes will be passed on to the next generation.
• Evolutionary influences - mate selection - is one behaviour that has possibly been passed on through evolutionary influences. To maximise passing on our genes evolutionary theory proposes that we seek to form relationships with individuals who possesses certain traits which enhance successful reproduction. Men seek fertile women who are physically attractive, women seek someone who provides resources needed for offspring to survive.
• Localisation of brain function - refers to the principle that certain areas of the brain are responsible for different functions they have certain jobs or tasks to carry out. The brain has a number of different structures within it, the cerebral cortex is outer layer responsible for higher order cognitive functions and is divided into four lobes each with a specific function.
• Localisation of brain function - frontal lobe - thinking and creativity and linked to our personalities. parietal lobe - sensory information such as temperature, touch and pain. temporal lobes responsible for our memory processing as well as processing auditory information. occipital lobe - visual information and receive information from the eyes.
• Localisation of brain function examples - areas linked to aggressive behaviour, some areas of brain linked to violence, Raine of brain abnormalities in murderers and non-murderers, murderers have reduced activity in their prefrontal cortex. Reduced activity in this part of the brain has been associated with behaviours such as impulsive behaviour and loss of control.
• Neurotransmitters - neurons are electrically excitable cells that form the basis of the central nervous system. One neuron communicates with another at the synapse, the neurotransmitter is fired along the neuron body (axon) in the form of an electrical impulse, when it reaches the synapse it is discharged from the presynaptic neuron in the form of a chemical. The neurotransmitters stimulate or inhibit receptors on the recieving neuron where they may continue to relay the message as an electrical impulse once again.
• Neurotransmitters example - certain neurotransmitters have been found to play a role in mood and behaviour including in mental health. Dopamine plays a role in reward attention and perception. Too much dopamine has been found in people suffering from schizophrenia.
• Behaviour explained in terms of evolutionary influences - evolution can explain how the mind and our behaviour has changed over millions of years. we have adapted to the demands of out environment. The idea of adaptiveness is based on darwins theory of natural selection. Any behaviour that helps and individuals chance of reproduction and survival will be naturally selected. Natural selection can explain mate selection. Men seek women who are fertile, women seek men who can raise a child.
• Behaviour explained in terms of localisation of brain function - different areas of the brain have been identified. Each area has a specialised function. The cerebral cortex is the outer layer of our brain, parietal, frontal, occipital, temporal. For example pre-frontal cortex is linked to aggressive behaviour. Pre-frontal cortex has an important role in helping us control our impulsive and aggressive behaviour.
• Behaviour explained in terms of neurotransmitters - neurons are cells that make up our nervous system. the human brain has billions of neurons. neurons charged with an electrical signal. they communicate with each other through synapses. in the synapse a chemical message is sent from one neuron to the next. dopamine is an example, high levels of serotonin are associated with mental disorders such as schizophrenic . some antipsychotics work by decreasing the amount of dopamine in our nervous system.