biological approach

• Hormones

  Chemical messengers that regulate various bodily functions, including behavior.
• Neurotransmitters


  Chemicals that transmit signals between neurons, influencing behavior.
• Genetics


  The study of how genes influence behavior.
• Biological Approach

  The biological approach focuses on the role of genetics, hormones, and neurotransmitters in shaping behavior.
• Evolutionary Theory


  Behavior is shaped by natural selection and adaptation to the environment.
• Genetic Determinism


  Behavior is determined by genetics, with little room for environmental influence.
• Predictive Power


  The biological approach can predict behavior based on genetic and hormonal factors.
• Understanding of Biological Mechanisms

  The approach helps us understand how biological processes influence behavior.
• Limited Scope

  The approach focuses on biological factors, neglecting environmental and psychological influences.
• definition of the biological approach to psychology is an approach that considers biological factors that affect human beings. The key biological factors that affect individuals include: the nervous system, genetics and biochemistry
• Neurochemistry


  The study of the chemical processes within the brain and nervous system
• twin studies are used to investigate wether certain psychological characteristics have a genetic basis. this is achieved by analysing concordance rate
• Genotype


  The complete set of genes an individual inherits from its parents.
• Phenotype


  The physical and behavioral characteristics of an individual that result from the interaction of their genotype and the environment.
• Natural Selection and Behavior Change

  Favoring individuals with traits that increase survival and reproduction, driving behavioral adaptations and cultural transmission.
• biological determinism


  sees human behaviour as governed by internal genetically-determind factors which is an oversimplification
• What is associated with the use of psychoactive drugs in treating mental disorders?

  Increased understanding of neurochemical processes in the brain
• How do antidepressant drugs promote the treatment of clinical depression?

  They increase levels of serotonin at the synapses
• What is a limitation of antidepressants in treating patients?


  They don’t work on everyone
• What is the nature of the effects of antidepressants according to the study material?

  The effects are mainly modest
• How does the modest effect of antidepressants challenge the biological approach to mental disorders?

  It suggests that brain chemistry alone may not account for all cases of depression
• What methods does the biological approach use to investigate the genetic and biological basis of behavior?


  A range of precise and objective methods
• What scanning techniques are mentioned in the study material?

  fMRIs and EEGs
• Why are the methods used in the biological approach considered objective and reliable?

  They accurately measure physiological and neural processes that are not open to bias
• What does biological determinism suggest about human behavior?

  It is governed by internal, genetic causes over which we have no control
• What moral and legal issues arise from the concept of no free will in biological determinism?

  We cannot hold people accountable for their actions
• What is a criticism of biological determinism mentioned in the study material?

  It is too simplistic and ignores the mediating effects of the environment