Biological Approach in Psychology

A summary of key concepts regarding the biological approach in psychology, covering techniques, research findings, and ethical considerations.

What does the biological approach to understanding behaviour assume?

It assumes that the origin of behaviour is physiological and that understanding behaviour requires understanding the physiology involved.

What are the main techniques used to study the brain?

Techniques include MRIs (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and PET scans (Positron Emission Tomography).

How do MRIs work?

MRIs produce three-dimensional images of brain structures by detecting changes in blood flow without using a radioactive tracer.

What was the aim of Maguire et al. (2006)?

To measure to what extent various parts of the hippocampus could be correlated with certain types of spatial memory.

What did Maguire et al. (2006) find regarding taxi drivers?

Taxi drivers had greater matter volume in mid-posterior hippocampi and less volume in anterior hippocampi compared to bus drivers.

What is neuroplasticity?

Neuroplasticity is the ability of the brain to form and reorganize synaptic connections in response to experience or following injury.

How do hormones affect behaviour?

Hormones are chemicals released by glands that regulate medium and long-term changes in behaviour, influencing various biological functions.

What is the role of acetylcholine (ACH) in memory?

ACH plays a crucial role in the consolidation of memory and the transfer of short-term memory to long-term memory.

What is the significance of the MAOA gene according to Caspi et al. (2002)?

The MAOA gene moderates the effect of maltreatment on the development of antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) in children.

What can be a limitation of using quasi-experiments in biological psychology?

Quasi-experiments can create uncertainty regarding the extent to which independent variables cause effects on dependent variables.

What is the definition of genetic similarity?

Genetic similarity is referred to as relatedness, which measures the degree of genetic relationship between two individuals.

What does the term social sensitivity refer to in research?

It refers to the potential social implications of research findings, including how they might influence public perception and behavior.

Why might reductionism be a concern in biological psychology?

Reductionism can oversimplify complex human behaviors to single biological mechanisms, potentially ignoring the influence of environmental factors.

What effect does testosterone have on behavior according to Dreher et al. (2016)?

Testosterone has been linked to both aggressive and status-enhancing behaviors.

What is the problem with assuming a linear causal relationship between genes and behavior?

It may overlook the interaction of multiple factors including the environment and gene regulation.

What was a key conclusion drawn from Draganski et al. (2004) about neuroplasticity?

Learning new tasks, such as juggling, can lead to physical changes in brain structure.

How can ethical considerations impact studies in biological psychology?

Research must ensure protection from harm for participants, limiting the types of manipulations that can be ethically performed.

What do twin studies help researchers to understand?

Twin studies help disentangle the influence of genetic versus environmental factors on behavior.

What did Zhou et al. (2014) find regarding androstadienone (AND)?

AND may influence human mating behavior by altering visual gender perception in specific groups.

Why is it important to use a double-blind design in experiments?

A double-blind design helps reduce bias by ensuring neither participants nor experimenters know who is receiving the treatment or placebo.