Topic Summaries

The biological approach

A-Level > Psychology > AQA > A-Level Psychology Topic Summaries > Approaches in psychology > The biological approach
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Addiction

  • Key concepts:
    • Everything psychological is first biological.In order to understand human behaviour, we need to look at biological structures.
    • Links to evolutionary theories to explain how humans have evolved and adapted in order to survive or reproduce.
  • Genotypes vs. phenotypes: a genotype is our genetic makeup. A phenotype is the way our genes are expressed.
  • The evolutionary perspective on behaviour:
    • The biological approach looks at how natural and sexual selection has led to adaptations of physical and psychological characteristics on behaviour today.
    • Psychologists will try to understand why these characteristics come about and the effect that they have on people today (e.g. women attempting to look younger to appear more fertile and thus attractive to men to fulfil a biological desire for reproduction).
  • The brain and neurochemistry:
    • Psychologists explore the structure of the brain and how neurochemistry effects behaviour. This includes the effects of neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine and how hormones can affect our behaviour (e.g.testosterone causing aggression).
    • Cognitive neuroscience is the scientific study of the influence of brain structure on mental processes. Brain mapping is used to identify specific cognitive functions in different brain areas. This has been done recently through the use of PET and fMRI scans. This research has also led psychologists to establish the neurological basis of many mental disorders.
      • Reliable: provides reliable and clear predictions about the effects of neurotransmitters and hormones in the brain. This has led to greater research on psychoactive drugs and their effects, and in turn lead to greater treatments that help neurochemical abnormalities.
      • Scientific: uses highly scientific methods to carry out research such as MRI scanning, brain imaging, and genetic screening. They can be easily replicated, meaning they have high objectivity and validity.
      • Too deterministic: this approach claims all behaviour is the result of genes and other internal biological causes which we have no control over. This means that we may have no control over our actions, and has dangerous implications for criminality.

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