Biopsychology
, Biological Approach
● Biological Approach in psychology is concerned with how physical structures (particularly genes and
central nervous system) influence how we think and behave.
Assumptions:
● Human behaviour is strongly influenced by our genetic makeup and inheritance.
● An understanding of brain structures and their functions can explain both behaviour and thought.
● The brain and the mind are the same.
● Humans have evolved biologically, and have much in common with other animals, especially those close
to us on the ‘evolutionary tree’.
Research Methods:
● Using animals to investigate brain function (eg - damaging an area of animals brain to determine its role
in behaviour).
● Detailed case studies of people with brain damage (like from a car accident) to understand the role of
specific areas of the brain on personality, behaviour and perception.
● Selective breeding of animals (such as rats) to determine which behaviours and characteristics may
have a genetic basis.
● Experimentation with chemicals known to have an effect on the brain and investigation of the effects on
thought and behaviour.
● Study of identical and non-identical twins to help us understand the genetic inheritance of characteristics.
, Biological Approach
● Biological Approach in psychology is concerned with how physical structures (particularly genes and
central nervous system) influence how we think and behave.
Assumptions:
● Human behaviour is strongly influenced by our genetic makeup and inheritance.
● An understanding of brain structures and their functions can explain both behaviour and thought.
● The brain and the mind are the same.
● Humans have evolved biologically, and have much in common with other animals, especially those close
to us on the ‘evolutionary tree’.
Research Methods:
● Using animals to investigate brain function (eg - damaging an area of animals brain to determine its role
in behaviour).
● Detailed case studies of people with brain damage (like from a car accident) to understand the role of
specific areas of the brain on personality, behaviour and perception.
● Selective breeding of animals (such as rats) to determine which behaviours and characteristics may
have a genetic basis.
● Experimentation with chemicals known to have an effect on the brain and investigation of the effects on
thought and behaviour.
● Study of identical and non-identical twins to help us understand the genetic inheritance of characteristics.
