biological approach - psychology

• outline of approach

  assumes there is a direct relationship between the physiology and biology of the body with behaviour.

  explores how behaviour is influenced by genetics, biochemistry and brain anatomy.

  the approach is deterministic and takes the nature stance in the debate.
• Genes

  heredity is the passing of characteristics from one generation to another through genes.

  phenotype is the outcome of the genotype interacting with the environment.

  genotype is the genetic makeup that provides the genetic code of development.

  each genotype is unique apart from monozygotic twins.
• Twin studies

  MZ (monozygotic) twins share 100% genetic similarity.

  if only one has the disorder, it is not purely genetically caused.

  the likelihood of MZ twins sharing the disorder can be compared with DZ (dizygotic) twins, to decide how much the behaviour is genetic.

  if MZ twins show higher likelihood of sharing a behaviour compared to DZ twins, it is argued there is a genetic component.
• Anatomy of the brain - opposing theories 


  localisation of functions - functions such as memory are located in specific brain areas (auditory cortex controlling auditory info).

  mass of action - functions such as memory are distributed throughout the brain.

  if one area is damaged, another area can take over as many parts of the brain work together.
• Biochemistry

  the brain produces neurotransmitters (NTS) that carry electrical signals between brain cells.

  If the brain produces too much or too little, this could explain human behaviours and why mental disorders can occur.
• Evaluation - deterministic

  disregards human free will and consequently doesn't feel right to most people.

  it argues that factors, such as genotype, affects behaviour with no consideration of conscious human intervention.

  for instance, damage to motor cortex, stroke, must cause movement disorder, as the function of motor cortex is to initiate human movement.

  this is unsettling to most and could decrease human motivation or responsibility.

  however, the approach accepts intense rehabilitation (free will) which emphasises how the biological approach is not always deterministic.
• Evaluation - applicable

  it has practical applications which has been useful to society.

  research into abnormal biochemical levels have helped develop drug treatment for mental health disorders.

  for instance, antipsychotics helps schizos.

  however, there is a great negative to drug therapy as it doesn't tackle the cause of the illness. if patient stops taking the drug, they will likely relapse. so it has limited effectiveness long term.