IB Psychology - Biological Approach

48 vocabulary-style flashcards covering key terms, concepts, and studies from the IB Biology/psychology biological approach.

Biological approach

Explains behavior in terms of biological factors such as genes, brain structures, neurotransmitters, and hormones.

Localization of function

Idea that specific brain areas are responsible for specific functions or behaviors.

Neuroplasticity

Brain's ability to change its structure and function in response to experience or damage.

Neurotransmitters

Chemical messengers that transmit signals between neurons across the synapse.

Excitatory neurotransmission

Neurotransmitters that increase the likelihood that a neuron will fire.

Inhibitory neurotransmission

Neurotransmitters that decrease the likelihood that a neuron will fire.

Acetylcholine (ACh)

Neurotransmitter involved in memory, learning, and muscle contractions.

Dopamine

Neurotransmitter involved in reward, motivation, learning, and addiction.

Serotonin

Neurotransmitter that regulates mood, appetite, and sleep; linked to depression.

Adrenaline

Hormone that prepares body for fight-or-flight; increases heart rate and alertness.

HM case study

Patient with hippocampus removal resulting in anterograde amnesia, highlighting memory-related brain structures.

Hippocampus

Brain region crucial for memory formation and consolidation.

Anterograde amnesia

Inability to form new memories after a brain injury or surgery.

Maguire et al. (2000)

Taxi drivers had larger posterior hippocampi, suggesting neuroplasticity from navigational experience.

Posterior hippocampus

Subregion of the hippocampus associated with spatial memory; enlarged in London taxi drivers.

Draganski et al. (2004)

Jugglers showed increased grey matter in visual/motor areas; changes were reversible after practice stopped.

Grey matter

Brain tissue density; changes reflect neuroplastic changes.

Visual areas

Brain regions involved in processing visual information.

Motor areas

Brain regions involved in planning and executing movement.

Fisher, Aron & Brown (2005)

fMRI showed dopamine activity in the brain's reward system when viewing photos of loved ones.

fMRI

Functional magnetic resonance imaging; measures brain activity via blood flow.

Dopamine activity

Dopamine release in reward pathways linked to reinforcement and motivation.

Crockett et al. (2010)

SSRI increased serotonin levels; participants were less likely to push a man off a bridge in a moral task.

SSRI

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors; drugs that increase serotonin levels.

Moral decision-making

Process of judging right from wrong; modulated by serotonin and other neurotransmitters.

Freed et al. (2001)

Dopamine-producing neurons transplanted into Parkinson's patients; younger patients showed improvement.

Dopamine-producing neurons

Dopamine-secreting neurons used in transplantation therapies for Parkinson's.

Parkinson's disease

Neurodegenerative disorder characterized by dopamine deficiency and motor symptoms.

Passamonti & Crockett (2012)

Lower serotonin levels increased aggressive responses to angry faces.

Serotonin levels

Amount of serotonin in the brain; lower levels linked to aggression and mood changes.

De Dreu et al. (2011)

Oxytocin increased ethnocentrism; participants favored their ingroup.

Ethnocentrism

Tendency to favor one’s own group over others.

McGaugh & Cahill (1995)

Emotionally arousing stories are remembered better; beta-blockers can block this effect.

Emotionally arousing story

Narratives that evoke strong emotion and enhance memory consolidation.

Beta-blockers

Drugs that block adrenaline effects, impacting memory consolidation for emotional events.

Cortisol

Stress hormone; prolonged exposure can damage the hippocampus and impair memory.

Newcomer et al. (1999)

Cortisol pills impaired verbal memory in participants.

Hormones

Chemical messengers traveling through blood; effects are slower but longer-lasting than neurotransmitters.

Hormones vs neurotransmitters

Hormones travel via blood; neurotransmitters act across synapses quickly and locally.

Genes

Units of heredity that code for proteins; can influence behavior indirectly.

Caspi et al. (2003)

5-HTT gene with short allele linked to higher depression risk after stressful life events.

Bouchard et al. (1990)

Minnesota twin study: about 70% of IQ variance explained by genetics.

Kendler et al. (2006)

Twin study showing depression heritability around 38%.

Scarr & Weinberg (1976)

Adopted children had IQs similar to biological parents, supporting genetic influence.

Falconer model

Model for estimating genetic vs environmental contributions to traits using twin data.

Epigenetics

Study of how environment can influence gene expression without changing DNA sequence.

Weaver et al. (2004)

Rat pups with nurturing mothers had reduced stress responses due to epigenetic changes.

Meaney et al. (1988)

Rat pups licked/groomed more had lower cortisol responses as adults (epigenetic effects).

McGowan et al. (2009)

Postmortem brains of abuse victims showed epigenetic changes similar to those from abuse exposure.

Curtis et al. (2004)

Disgust stronger for disease-related stimuli; suggests evolutionary protection against pathogens.

Fessler (2006)

Pregnant women in the first trimester show higher disgust sensitivity, especially to disease cues.

Wedekind (1995)

Women prefer the scent of men with different MHC genes, suggesting drive for genetic diversity.

Ronay & von Hippel (2010)

Men take more risks in the presence of an attractive female experimenter; evolutionary mating effect.

Principle of evolution in psychology

Behaviors that increase survival and reproduction are more likely to be passed down.

Link between evolution and behavior

Evolution explains traits like disgust, mate choice, and risk-taking as adaptations.

Diathesis-stress model

Genetic vulnerability + environmental stress → higher risk of disorder.

Strengths of the biological approach

Scientific methods, measurable data, practical applications in treatment.

Limitations of the biological approach

Reductionist; may ignore environment/culture; ecological validity concerns.

Triangulation in research

Using multiple methods/sources to study the same phenomenon to improve validity.

Reductionism

Breaking behavior into components rather than studying wholes.

Holism

Considering the whole person and context in explanations.

SAQ

Short Answer Question (9 marks); requires knowledge, understanding, and one study.

ERQ

Extended Response Question (22 marks); requires critical thinking and several studies.

MHC genes

Major Histocompatibility Complex genes; diversity influences mate selection.