Biological Approach

• What factors influence the way in which different children within the same family are treated?

  Factors include individual experiences and environmental differences.
• How might identical twins raised in the same home have different environments?

  They may have different experiences such as varying interests or activities.
• Are identical twins more likely to share the same ‘environment’ than non-identical twins?

  Yes, identical twins are more likely to share the same environment due to their genetic similarities.
• What are the key terms associated with the Biological Approach?

  • Genetics
  • Genotype
  • Phenotype
  • Twin Studies (MZ and DZ)
  • Family Studies
  • Adoption Studies
  • Concordance Rates
  • Selective Breeding
  • Natural Selection
  • Sexual Selection
  • Dominant and Recessive Genes
  • Evolution
• What does the Biological Approach combine to explain human behavior?

  It combines psychology and biology.
• What does biological psychology aim to explain?

  It aims to explain how we think, feel, and behave in terms of physical factors within the body.
• What is one of the main assumptions of the Biological Approach?

  Everything psychological is at first biological.
• How does the Biological Approach view the cause of human behavior?

  It views much of human behavior as having a physiological cause that may be genetically or environmentally altered.
• What role do genes play according to the Biological Approach?

  Genes affect behavior and influence individual psychological differences between people.
• What does evolutionary psychology consider?

  It considers genetic influences in common behaviors.
• What are the common methods used in the Biological Approach?

  Laboratory experiments, observations, and objective brain recording techniques.
• What is natural selection?

  Natural selection is the process where characteristics that are not suited to a species’ environment will die out over generations.
• How does sexual selection influence mate choice?

  Partners are chosen based on behaviors and physical characteristics that indicate suitability for raising offspring.
• Why are women more selective in mate choice according to the Biological Approach?

  Women have limited eggs and a greater role in raising infants, making them choosy about their partners.
• What is selective breeding?

  Selective breeding involves artificially selecting male and female animals for a particular trait to produce offspring.
• What does selective breeding demonstrate about behavior?

  It demonstrates that a number of behavioral characteristics may have a genetic basis.
• What are genes?


  Genes are the genetic information carried by DNA in chromosomes, passed on through generations.
• What is the difference between genotype and phenotype?

  Genotype is the set of genes a person possesses, while phenotype is how those genes are expressed through characteristics.
• How can the environment influence phenotype?

  The environment can affect how genes are expressed, leading to differences in characteristics.
• What is the relationship between identical twins and genotype?

  Identical twins have identical genotypes.
• What is the significance of recessive and dominant genes?

  A recessive gene only shows if there are two copies, while a dominant gene shows even with one copy.
• What neurotransmitter is associated with depression?

  Low levels of serotonin are associated with developing depression.
• What do family studies, twin studies, and adoption studies help to explore?

  They help to explore whether a trait or characteristic has a genetic basis.
• What do concordance rates indicate?

  Concordance rates indicate the extent to which both twins share the same characteristic.
• What did McGuffin et al (1996) find regarding depression in twins?

  They found that if one identical twin has depression, there is a 46% chance the other twin will also have it.
• How does the environment influence genotype and phenotype?

  You aren't in control of your genotype or phenotype, but you can control your environment, which influences them.
• What do adoption studies compare?

  They compare traits or characteristics between adopted children and their biological or adoptive parents.
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of the Biological Approach?

  Strengths:

  • Based on reliable data from scientific methods
  • Uses advanced technology for accurate measurements
  • Provides real-life applications for managing conditions

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • May overlook environmental influences
  • Can lead to deterministic views of behavior
• What is the significance of scientific methods in the Biological Approach?

  They suggest that the Biological Approach is based on reliable data.
• How has increased understanding of biochemical processes impacted treatment?

  It has led to the development of psychoactive drugs that help manage conditions.
• What types of studies are included in the biological approach to psychology?

  Scanning techniques such as fMRI’s and EEG’s, family, twin, and drug studies
• What does McGuffin et al (1996) study focus on?

  The concordance rate of depression in MZ and DZ twins
• Why is the use of scientific methods a strength of the biological approach?

  It allows for precise and unbiased investigation of genetic and biological bases of behavior
• How do advances in technology benefit the biological approach?

  They enable accurate measurement of biological and neural processes
• What are the real-life applications of the biological approach?

  • Development of psychoactive drugs for mental illnesses
  • Example: Fluoxetine as an alternative to cognitive behavior therapy
  • Helps sufferers manage conditions and live normal lives
• What is the role of psychoactive drugs in the biological approach?

  They treat serious mental illnesses such as depression
• Why might psychoactive drugs be considered a strength of the biological approach?

  They provide less time-consuming and costly treatment options for patients
• What is a limitation of the biological approach regarding nature and nurture?

  It fails to acknowledge the influence of the environment when studying twins and family members
• How do DZ twins' concordance rates compare to ordinary siblings, and what does this suggest?

  DZ twins often show higher concordance rates, suggesting environmental influences
• What does the biological approach argue about similarities in behavior among twins?

  It argues that similarities must be genetic (nature)