Summary Key Approaches and Biopsychology Revision Guide

Revision Booklet
Approa ch es in
Psyc ho lo gy


BIOPSYCHOLOGY

BEHAVIOURIST
APPROACH


SOCIAL LEARNING
THEORY


COGNITIVE

,BIOLOGICAL APPROACH


KEY assumptions

The Biological Approach in psychology
is concerned with how physical
structures (particularly genes and
central nervous system) influence how
we think and behave.
Assumes that human behaviour is strongly
influenced by our genetic makeup and
inheritance
Assumes that an understanding of
brain structures and their functions
can explain both behaviour and
thought.
Assumes that the brain and the mind
are the same.

, BIOLOGICAL APPROACH


research methods

Use of 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