The Biological Approach - Y1C04L04

Assumptions of the biological approach

-All human behaviour has a biological origin (inherited through genes)

-Insists that in order to fully understand human behaviour, it is necessary to understand internal biological structures and processes

—- evolution, genetics, or neurochemistry

Evolutionary explanations

-Natural selection, imposed by Charles Darwin

-Individuals within a species that differ to best meet these demands in terms of physical or behavioural characteristics, will pass these traits downs successfully (survival of the fittest)

-In order for a behaviour to evolved via a neutral stimulus, it must have a significant genetic foundationand provide a reproductive advantage to those individuals exhibiting it.

Role of genetics

-Twin and adoption studies are used to view the effect of genetics

-Concordance rates are used for this

-If MZ twins have a higher concordance rate that DZ twins, then a genetic cause can be implied rather than an environmental cause due to 100% of DNA being shared in MZ twins compared to 50% in DZ twins

Concordance rates

How similar twins are in a particular expressed trait

Genotype

An individuals unique, inherited genetic makeup and chemical composition of DNA (fixed at conception)P

Phenotype

Observable physical, behavioural and psychological characteristics of an individual, which are produced through the interaction between the genotype and phenotype

Influence of neurochemistry on behaviour

-Explains how neurotransmitters regulate psychological processes, physical states and mental health

-Imbalances in neurotransmitter amounts are associated with atypical behaviour

-Further research in this area helps us to understand the role of neurotransmitters

Strengths of the biological approach

-Scientific and objective methods

— rigorous research techniques provide reliable and testable data on the links between biology and behaviour

— this allows psychologists to make clear predictions about behavioural and mental processes

-Practical applications

— understanding biochemical processes has led to the development of psychoactive drugs to treat disorders such as depression and schizophrenia

— This demonstrates a real-world approach, and can also help predict behaviours based on genetic predisposition

-Deterministic predictability

— Allows us to assume how individuals may respond in certain situations, which is useful in clinical and therapeutic contexts

Limitations of the biological approach

-Not as causal as they appear

— Despite twin studies being being helpful to see genetic influence, twins tend to grow up in similar environments, creating an issue of causality

-Anti-depressants are not effective for everyone

— Cipriani et al. (2018) suggests that although antidepressants are effective, they don’t work for all patients, suggesting biology isn’t the complete picture, and that environmental/cognitive factors being overlooked makes the theory reductionist

-Ethical concerns

— Could lead to a slippery slope towards ideas such as eugenics, fulfilling the idea that certain people are born a certain way (with a mental health condition). Furthermore, much research in the field of biological approaches requires animal testing or brain surgery, raising ethical concerns surrounding consent, privacy, and distress