Psychology: Approaches
The Biological Approach
Biological Approach—Perspective that emphasises the importance of physical processes in
the body such as genetic inheritance and neural function.
Assumptions:
- Suggests that everything psychological is first biological, so to fully understand
human behaviour we must look at biological structures and processes such as genes.
The mind lives in the brain- all thoughts, feelings and behaviour have a physical
basis.
- Contrasts cognitive approach as they believe mental processes of the mind are
separate from the physical brain.
Genetic basis of behaviour:
- Study whether behavioural characteristics such as personality, intelligence etc. are
inherited in the same way as physical characteristics.
- Twin studies are used to determine the likelihood that certain traits have a genetic
basis by comparing the concordance rates between twins.
- If identical (monozygotic) twins are found to have higher concordance rates than
non-identical (dizygotic) twins- schizophrenia, love of action films would suggest a
genetic basis.
- Monozygotic twins share 100% of each other’s genes, whilst dizygotic twins share
50%.
Genotype and Phenotype:
Genotype—The particular set of genes a person possesses.
Expression of a genotype is influenced by environmental factors. For instance, identical
twins usually look slightly different because one has exercised more etc.
Phenotype—The characteristics of an individual determined by genes and the
environment.
This illustrates what many biological psychologists would accept, that much of human
behaviour depends upon an interaction between nature and nurture.
Evolution and Behaviour:
- 19th century, Charles Darwin proposed a theory of natural selection.
Main principle of this theory is that any genetically determined behaviour that enhances an
individual’s survival will continue in future generations.
In nature, this selection takes place ‘naturally’- selection occurs because some traits give the
possessor certain advantages.
The possessor is more likely to survive, reproduce and pass on these traits. If the individual
survives but does not reproduce then the traits are not passed on.
Evaluation:
In order to investigate the genital and biological basis of behaviour- makes use of a
range of highly scientific methods. These include scanning techniques such as FMRI.
The Biological Approach
Biological Approach—Perspective that emphasises the importance of physical processes in
the body such as genetic inheritance and neural function.
Assumptions:
- Suggests that everything psychological is first biological, so to fully understand
human behaviour we must look at biological structures and processes such as genes.
The mind lives in the brain- all thoughts, feelings and behaviour have a physical
basis.
- Contrasts cognitive approach as they believe mental processes of the mind are
separate from the physical brain.
Genetic basis of behaviour:
- Study whether behavioural characteristics such as personality, intelligence etc. are
inherited in the same way as physical characteristics.
- Twin studies are used to determine the likelihood that certain traits have a genetic
basis by comparing the concordance rates between twins.
- If identical (monozygotic) twins are found to have higher concordance rates than
non-identical (dizygotic) twins- schizophrenia, love of action films would suggest a
genetic basis.
- Monozygotic twins share 100% of each other’s genes, whilst dizygotic twins share
50%.
Genotype and Phenotype:
Genotype—The particular set of genes a person possesses.
Expression of a genotype is influenced by environmental factors. For instance, identical
twins usually look slightly different because one has exercised more etc.
Phenotype—The characteristics of an individual determined by genes and the
environment.
This illustrates what many biological psychologists would accept, that much of human
behaviour depends upon an interaction between nature and nurture.
Evolution and Behaviour:
- 19th century, Charles Darwin proposed a theory of natural selection.
Main principle of this theory is that any genetically determined behaviour that enhances an
individual’s survival will continue in future generations.
In nature, this selection takes place ‘naturally’- selection occurs because some traits give the
possessor certain advantages.
The possessor is more likely to survive, reproduce and pass on these traits. If the individual
survives but does not reproduce then the traits are not passed on.
Evaluation:
In order to investigate the genital and biological basis of behaviour- makes use of a
range of highly scientific methods. These include scanning techniques such as FMRI.
