SECTION: The Approaches TOPIC: Biological Approach
SIX SENTENCE SUMMARY OF KEY IDEAS (K/U) KEY WORD GLOSSARY
1. The approach emphasises the importance of biological Neurochemistry
processes such genetics, hormones, and brain structures. Neurotransmitters
Hormones
2. Neurochemistry refers to how varying levels of chemicals in
the body can influence behaviour. The endocrine system Genetics / Genes
controls the hormones in the body, different levels can change Genotype – genetic makeup from biological
behaviour. (Adrenaline controls fight or flight response.) parents
Neurotransmitters are released from neurons to cross the Phenotype – individual characteristics
synapse if these are too high (dopamine) = schizophrenia or determined by the genotype and environment
too little of (serotonin) = OCD. (how genotype is expressed)
Identical Twin – monozygotic
3. Genes are a person’s biological makeup, made up by DNA. MZ Non identical Twin – dizygotic
and DZ twins are studied because even though MZ have 100% Concordance Rates
the same genotype their phenotype is different. MZ twins have Evolution / Natural Selection
higher concordance rates than DZ twins because of this.
Brain Structures
4. Localisation – identifies how specific parts of the brain control Frontal Lobe – impulse control, planning, decision
certain behaviours – different lobes control different things making
Temporal Lobe – memory
5. Charles Darwin proposed natural selection is when genes are Occipital Lobe – associated with vision
passed on due to survival advantages – suggesting why we Parietal Lobe – sensory information – skin to
some traits of our ancestors. brain
RELEVENT EVIDENCE:
Phineas Gage (1848) – after an explosion at a railway site an iron pole and inch thick went through his skull, through his
frontal lobe. He survived but reports that his behaviour was much more impulsive, profound and inappropriate, later
scientists concluded the damage to his frontal lobe caused the change in behaviour.
PEEL STRENGTH PEEL WEAKNESS
This approach is extremely scientific and objective. Unlike the humanistic approach this has reductionist and
deterministic views.
Investigating genetics and biologically using fMRI’s and
other brain scanning techniques which can specifically It sees behaviour to be internal determined by genetics
identify brain activity – psychologists can accurately and hormones which we generally have no control over.
measure processes that are not bias. There is accurate But we have seen how the genotype is developing by the
and reliable data to support this approach. = Internal environment expressing the phenotype – ignoring to go
Validity further with this is reductionist and is often too simplistic.
There may be low external validity due to artificial lab
setting.
PEEL WEAKNESS
PEEL STRENGTH The value of the approach can be challenged.
The real-world application is a strength. Drug developments and trials have proved to not work
The understanding of processes in the brain has been on some people which suggests certain mental illness and
used to develop treatments and drugs for serious mental behaviours aren’t simply down the brain chemistry and
illnesses (antidepressants) – controlling chemical levels biology – it suggests there are other factors involved.
SIX SENTENCE SUMMARY OF KEY IDEAS (K/U) KEY WORD GLOSSARY
1. The approach emphasises the importance of biological Neurochemistry
processes such genetics, hormones, and brain structures. Neurotransmitters
Hormones
2. Neurochemistry refers to how varying levels of chemicals in
the body can influence behaviour. The endocrine system Genetics / Genes
controls the hormones in the body, different levels can change Genotype – genetic makeup from biological
behaviour. (Adrenaline controls fight or flight response.) parents
Neurotransmitters are released from neurons to cross the Phenotype – individual characteristics
synapse if these are too high (dopamine) = schizophrenia or determined by the genotype and environment
too little of (serotonin) = OCD. (how genotype is expressed)
Identical Twin – monozygotic
3. Genes are a person’s biological makeup, made up by DNA. MZ Non identical Twin – dizygotic
and DZ twins are studied because even though MZ have 100% Concordance Rates
the same genotype their phenotype is different. MZ twins have Evolution / Natural Selection
higher concordance rates than DZ twins because of this.
Brain Structures
4. Localisation – identifies how specific parts of the brain control Frontal Lobe – impulse control, planning, decision
certain behaviours – different lobes control different things making
Temporal Lobe – memory
5. Charles Darwin proposed natural selection is when genes are Occipital Lobe – associated with vision
passed on due to survival advantages – suggesting why we Parietal Lobe – sensory information – skin to
some traits of our ancestors. brain
RELEVENT EVIDENCE:
Phineas Gage (1848) – after an explosion at a railway site an iron pole and inch thick went through his skull, through his
frontal lobe. He survived but reports that his behaviour was much more impulsive, profound and inappropriate, later
scientists concluded the damage to his frontal lobe caused the change in behaviour.
PEEL STRENGTH PEEL WEAKNESS
This approach is extremely scientific and objective. Unlike the humanistic approach this has reductionist and
deterministic views.
Investigating genetics and biologically using fMRI’s and
other brain scanning techniques which can specifically It sees behaviour to be internal determined by genetics
identify brain activity – psychologists can accurately and hormones which we generally have no control over.
measure processes that are not bias. There is accurate But we have seen how the genotype is developing by the
and reliable data to support this approach. = Internal environment expressing the phenotype – ignoring to go
Validity further with this is reductionist and is often too simplistic.
There may be low external validity due to artificial lab
setting.
PEEL WEAKNESS
PEEL STRENGTH The value of the approach can be challenged.
The real-world application is a strength. Drug developments and trials have proved to not work
The understanding of processes in the brain has been on some people which suggests certain mental illness and
used to develop treatments and drugs for serious mental behaviours aren’t simply down the brain chemistry and
illnesses (antidepressants) – controlling chemical levels biology – it suggests there are other factors involved.
