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assumptions
everything psychological is at first biological
investigates how biological structures and processes within the body impacts behaviour
much of human behaviour has a physiological cause which may be genetically or environmentally altered
the mind lives in the brain (contrasts cognitive approach which sees mental processes of the mind as being separate from the physical brain)
genetic basis of behaviour
genes possessed influence behaviour
born with 23 pairs of chromosomes inherited from birth parents - genotype, forming basis of our behaviour
genes carry instructions for particular characteristics eg intelligence, personality and mental disorders
how these characteristics develop depends partly on the interaction with other genes and the environment
twin studies
monozygotic twins have identical genes (can see how environment effects)
dizygotic have 50% identical genes
genotype vs phenotype
genotype = particular set of genes an individual possesses
phenotype = characteristics of an individual determined by both genes and the environment
genotype + environment = phenotype
human behaviour depends upon an interaction between inherited factors (nature) and the environment (nurture)
effect of evolution on behaviour
evolution = changes in inherited characteristics over successive generations
human behaviours and physical characteristics exist because they are adaptive
eg aggression - would have been advantageous for ancestors as it created protection for family and resources, attractive to opposite sex making likelihood of passing on the gene much greater
over time it becomes more widespread
influence of neurochemistry on behaviour
neurochemistry = biochemistry of the CNS
hormones = chemicals that travel through bloodstream
in brain, transmission of chemicals is via the cerebral fluid by neurotransmitters
they are viewed to effect behaviour
eg high levels of dopamine is related to schizophrenia
evaluation
scientific methods
biologically determinist
application (& COUNTERPOINT)
scientific methods
uses range of precise and highly objective measures ie brain scanning (fMRIs and EEGs) and measuring biochemical levels
thus possible to accurately measure biological and neural processes in a way not subject to bias
adds credibility to the approach as it is evidence based and rigorous
biologically determinist
it assumes behaviour is governed by genertic and biological factors, ignoring environmental influences
this view is reductionist as it oversimplifies complex behaviours, such as criminality by attributing them soley to supposed crime genes
raises ethical concerns as this could excuse harmful behaviours due to overly deterministic nature
real world application
understanding neurochemical processes has led to treatments for disorders like depression
eg antidepressants like SSRIs that increase seratonin at synapses
treatments reduce symptoms of depression allowing individuals to lead relatively normal lives
counterpoint
antidepressants are not effective for all
research (CIPRIANI ET AL 2013) shows that while they are more effective than placebos in clinical trials, their effect size is ‘mainly modest’
means the approach may oversimplify depression, failing to account for environmental or psychological factors