Biological evaluation WJEC psychology Exam Questions and Answers| New Update with
100% Correct Answers
Why is the biological approach scientific? - (ANSWER)It's methods and assumptions are based on
testable, controlled and objective techniques
Give two pieces of evidence that make the biological approach scientific - (ANSWER)Raine used
objective and standardised conditions to examine the brain of murderers vs control group e.g. PET
scans, matched group design.
Drug therapy- shows causal relationships e.g. role of neurotransmitters
Why does the biological approach have positive applications - (ANSWER)The approach can be beneficial
to society/ individuals in terms of drug therapy and treatment of criminals
Give two examples of how it can be beneficial in society - (ANSWER)Evidence suggests that drug therapy
is effective e.g. Soomro found SSRI used to treat 17 patients with OCD. lowered symptoms. Cherek
found the use of SSRI lowered aggression and impulsiveness compared to a placebo group Beneficial
safer society and helps individuals.
Why is the biological approach deterministic - (ANSWER)It ignores free will and believes that biological
factors determine behaviour e.g. disorders are due to chemical imbalances/ brain abnormalities. e.g.
depression caused by low levels of serotonin.
Is the biological approach being deterministic a strength of a weakness - (ANSWER)It is a strength as it
shows cause and effect and therefore can be treated. e.g. depression treated with SSRI
Why is the approach biologically reductionist? - (ANSWER)It reduces behaviour purely down to
biological factors such as brain abnormalities, biochemistry
What is the evidence you can use for biological reductionism? - (ANSWER)Raine's study only focused on
the brains of criminals and ignored other factors such as environment. Fallon demonstrates that he had
the criminal gene but did not become criminal i.e. due to the diathesis stress model. Therefore, the
approach is too simplistic.
100% Correct Answers
Why is the biological approach scientific? - (ANSWER)It's methods and assumptions are based on
testable, controlled and objective techniques
Give two pieces of evidence that make the biological approach scientific - (ANSWER)Raine used
objective and standardised conditions to examine the brain of murderers vs control group e.g. PET
scans, matched group design.
Drug therapy- shows causal relationships e.g. role of neurotransmitters
Why does the biological approach have positive applications - (ANSWER)The approach can be beneficial
to society/ individuals in terms of drug therapy and treatment of criminals
Give two examples of how it can be beneficial in society - (ANSWER)Evidence suggests that drug therapy
is effective e.g. Soomro found SSRI used to treat 17 patients with OCD. lowered symptoms. Cherek
found the use of SSRI lowered aggression and impulsiveness compared to a placebo group Beneficial
safer society and helps individuals.
Why is the biological approach deterministic - (ANSWER)It ignores free will and believes that biological
factors determine behaviour e.g. disorders are due to chemical imbalances/ brain abnormalities. e.g.
depression caused by low levels of serotonin.
Is the biological approach being deterministic a strength of a weakness - (ANSWER)It is a strength as it
shows cause and effect and therefore can be treated. e.g. depression treated with SSRI
Why is the approach biologically reductionist? - (ANSWER)It reduces behaviour purely down to
biological factors such as brain abnormalities, biochemistry
What is the evidence you can use for biological reductionism? - (ANSWER)Raine's study only focused on
the brains of criminals and ignored other factors such as environment. Fallon demonstrates that he had
the criminal gene but did not become criminal i.e. due to the diathesis stress model. Therefore, the
approach is too simplistic.
