Biological approach: influence of genes, biological structures and
neurochemistry on behaviour, genotype and phenotype, genetic basis of
behaviour, evolution, and behaviour
Concordance rates = the probability of one twin having a characteristic if the
other twin has it.
MZ (monozygotic) twins = share 100% of their genes.
DZ (dizygotic) twins = share 50% of their genes.
If genetics are important, MZ should be more alike than DZ. But twins also
share an environment especially MZ twins.
Natural selection = animals that are well adapted to their environment will
leave behind more offspring than those animals who are less well adapted.
Genome lag refers to the fact that the environments species have adapted to
have changed and continued to change. evolution is slow, environments can
change overnight. This can result in maladaptive behaviours.
Outline and evaluate the biological approach
An assumption of the biological approach is that everything psychological is at
first biological. Suggests that there is a genetic basis to behaviour, focusing on
genotype and phenotype - Genotype is the genetic makeup of a person e.g.
eye colour. Phenotype is behavioural and physical characteristics which is
influenced by the environment. Often using twin studies to demonstrate the
likelihood that certain traits have a genetic basis due to high concordant rates,
e.g. MZ twins having a 48% chance of developing schiz vs 17% for DZ they
would argue is a result of genetics, considering that MZ twins share 100% of
their genes. Evolutionary basis to behaviour and how evolution has led to
changes in humans over time e.g. suggesting that advantageous genes which
increase someone's chance of survival are passed onto future generations -
natural selection.
One strength of the biological approach is that it is applicable to the real world.
It helps us to understand the influence of biological processes on human
behaviour (influence of neurotransmitters) which has led to the development
of psychoactive drugs for treatments of mental illnesses such as depression to
neurochemistry on behaviour, genotype and phenotype, genetic basis of
behaviour, evolution, and behaviour
Concordance rates = the probability of one twin having a characteristic if the
other twin has it.
MZ (monozygotic) twins = share 100% of their genes.
DZ (dizygotic) twins = share 50% of their genes.
If genetics are important, MZ should be more alike than DZ. But twins also
share an environment especially MZ twins.
Natural selection = animals that are well adapted to their environment will
leave behind more offspring than those animals who are less well adapted.
Genome lag refers to the fact that the environments species have adapted to
have changed and continued to change. evolution is slow, environments can
change overnight. This can result in maladaptive behaviours.
Outline and evaluate the biological approach
An assumption of the biological approach is that everything psychological is at
first biological. Suggests that there is a genetic basis to behaviour, focusing on
genotype and phenotype - Genotype is the genetic makeup of a person e.g.
eye colour. Phenotype is behavioural and physical characteristics which is
influenced by the environment. Often using twin studies to demonstrate the
likelihood that certain traits have a genetic basis due to high concordant rates,
e.g. MZ twins having a 48% chance of developing schiz vs 17% for DZ they
would argue is a result of genetics, considering that MZ twins share 100% of
their genes. Evolutionary basis to behaviour and how evolution has led to
changes in humans over time e.g. suggesting that advantageous genes which
increase someone's chance of survival are passed onto future generations -
natural selection.
One strength of the biological approach is that it is applicable to the real world.
It helps us to understand the influence of biological processes on human
behaviour (influence of neurotransmitters) which has led to the development
of psychoactive drugs for treatments of mental illnesses such as depression to
