bio v positive

successful application to real world - simmilarity

POINT

• Both Positive Psychology and the Biological approach have strong real‑world applications, improving well‑being, mental health, and wider society.

EVIDENCE

Positive Psychology

• Applied across work, education, and health.

• Mindfulness used informally (Headspace) and formally (MBCT in healthcare).

• Mental Health Foundation (2010): mindfulness improves depression and general well‑being.

• Schools and workplaces use PP interventions, especially post‑COVID.

• Shows broad, evidence‑based benefits for well‑being.

Biological Approach

• Applied in healthcare and criminal justice.

• Antipsychotic drugs reduce schizophrenia symptoms → allow access to CBT and more stable functioning.

• Cherek et al. (2002): SSRIs reduced aggression in criminal males after 21 days → supports reduced reoffending.

• Biological treatments improve mental health and contribute to a safer society.

STRENGTH / WEAKNESS

• Strength:

  • Both approaches show clear real‑world success, supporting the validity of their principles and benefiting society.

• Weakness:

• PP can be criticised for being overly individualistic; biological treatments may ignore psychological/environmental causes.

scientifc - similarity

POINT

• Both Positive Psychology and the Biological approach use scientific methods, making their findings objective, testable, and credible.

EVIDENCE

Positive Psychology

• Aims to study happiness scientifically using hypotheses, measurable outcomes, and controlled procedures.

• Seligman et al. (2005):

  • Randomly allocated participants to PP interventions (e.g., Three Good Things) or a placebo control.

  • Measured changes in happiness systematically.

• Shows PP uses experimental design, control groups, and quantifiable data.

Biological Approach

• Considered the most scientific approach.

• Uses experiments, brain‑imaging technology, and controlled variables.

• Raine et al. (1997):

  • PET scans comparing NGRI murderers vs controls.

  • Used radioactive tracers + strict controls (health status, medication‑free).

• Produces objective, replicable, measurable evidence.

difference - determinism v free will

POINT

• Positive Psychology = free will, arguing individuals can choose behaviours that increase well‑being.

• Biological Approach = hard determinism, claiming behaviour is controlled by biological factors outside conscious control.

EVIDENCE

Positive Psychology (Free Will)

• Humans have personal agency to develop strengths and improve well‑being.

• Mindfulness increases awareness of thoughts/emotions → enables intentional choices.

• PP acknowledges some biological influence but emphasises self‑control and conscious decision‑making.

• Critics (Held, 2002): free‑will focus can lead to self‑blame if people fail to improve; ignores structural factors like poverty or trauma.

Biological Approach (Determinism)

• Behaviour determined by physical causes:

  • Brain structures (occipital lobe → vision; frontal lobe → decision‑making)

  • Neurotransmitters (low serotonin → depression; high dopamine → schizophrenia)

  • Genes linked to criminality, addiction, stress

• Suggests humans have no free will over behaviour.

• Drug therapy: therapist controls medication → individuals have limited control over treatment.

STRENGTH / WEAKNESS

Positive Psychology

• Strength: Emphasising free will empowers individuals to take control of their well‑being.

• Weakness: Can become individualistic → risks blaming people for circumstances beyond their control.

Biological Approach

• Strength: Removes blame from individuals with mental illness; behaviour seen as biologically driven.

• Weakness: Overly deterministic → may reduce belief in recovery or self‑help, harming motivation.

nature v interactionist - difference

POINT

• Biological = nature‑only

• Positive Psychology = interactionist (nature + nurture + intentional choices)

EVIDENCE

Biological

• Behaviour from genes, brain structures, neurotransmitters.

• Ignores social/environmental factors.

Positive Psychology

• Lyubomirsky et al. (2005):

  • 50% genetics

  • 10% circumstances

  • 40% intentional activities

• Includes biology, environment, and personal choices.

STRENGTH / WEAKNESS

Biological

• Weakness: Too nature‑only → not holistic.

Positive Psychology

• Strength: Balanced explanation of well‑being.