bio approach eval

Overview of the Biological Approach to Human Behavior

Evaluation of the Biological Approach

  • The approach must include:
    • Evaluation of strengths and weaknesses
    • Comparison with four other approaches
    • Insight into how the approach explains behaviors (e.g., relationship formation, therapies)

Strengths of the Biological Approach

1. Scientific Approach
  • The biological approach asserts that behavior can be explained in terms of:
    • Brain function
    • Neurotransmitters
    • Localisation of brain function
  • Key aspects of the scientific method:
    • Clear variables that can be measured and tracked
    • Enables psychologists to conduct scientific research on these variables
  • Example: Research on drug therapy investigates links between psychoactive drugs and the production of neurotransmitters (e.g., dopamine) linked to behavior.
  • Psycho-surgery involves functionally removing parts of the brain based on research linking areas of the brain to specific behaviors (e.g., aggression).
  • Raine et al. study: Used PET scans to compare 14 brain areas in murderers pleading NGRI vs. non-murderers.
  • Conclusion: Strength lies in conducting objective, well-controlled studies that ideally demonstrate causal relationships.
2. Determinist Approach
  • The biological approach is deterministic, suggesting that behavior is predetermined by biological factors.
  • Strength: Understanding what predetermines behavior helps in treating abnormal behavior.
  • Example with neurotransmitters:
    • Dopamine linked to schizophrenia. Evidence includes:
    • Amphetamine increases dopamine levels, causing schizophrenia symptoms (e.g., hallucinations).
    • Antipsychotics reduce schizophrenia symptoms by lowering dopamine levels.
    • Evidence from brain scans shows specific areas more active in patients with OCD.
    • Cingulotomy aims to sever these active areas to reduce OCD symptoms.
  • Causal understandings allow for treatment options and improving people's lives:
    • Reducing stress can mitigate physical illness effects.
    • Treating mental illness through biological methods can enhance life quality.
3. Successful Applications of Therapies
  • The biological approach has resulted in successful treatments, including:
    • Pharmacological treatments for criminals based on abnormal neurotransmitter levels.
    • Cherek et al. (2002): Males with conduct disorder had reduced aggression/impulsivity following a 21-day SSR antidepressant course compared to placebo.
    • Various mental disorder treatments (e.g., drug therapy, psychosurgery):
    • Capsulotomy (type of psychosurgery) showed a 67% recovery rate (Cosgrove and Rauch, 2001) in OCD patients.
    • Drug therapy, though variable in effectiveness, enables many with mental disorders to maintain normal lives outside hospitals.
    • Example: Bipolar disorder treated with lithium shows over 60% improvement in patients (Viguera et al., 2000).