Subjects

Careers

Open the App

Subjects

What is the Biological Approach in Psychology?

Open

12

0

E

Erica

26/02/2023

Psychology

The biological approach

What is the Biological Approach in Psychology?

The biological approach in psychology explores how biological structures and processes influence human behavior and mental processes. It emphasizes the role of genetics, brain function, and evolutionary factors in shaping psychological phenomena.

Key points:

  • Assumes all psychological processes have a biological basis
  • Focuses on genetic influences, neurochemistry, and nervous system function
  • Uses twin studies to examine genetic contributions to behavior
  • Applies evolutionary theory to explain adaptive behaviors
  • Employs scientific methods like brain imaging techniques
  • Has real-world applications in developing treatments for mental illness
  • Faces criticism for being overly deterministic and reductionist
...

26/02/2023

842

Approaches
A01
The biological approach
Assumptions
Suggests everything psychological is at first biological
Looks at biological structures a

View

Evaluation of the Biological Approach

While the biological approach in psychology offers valuable insights into human behavior, it is not without its limitations and criticisms. This page explores some of the strengths and weaknesses of this perspective.

Strengths:

  1. Scientific rigor: The biological approach employs objective and reliable methods of investigation, such as brain imaging techniques, which provide empirical evidence for its claims.
  2. Practical applications: Insights from this approach have led to the development of effective treatments for mental illnesses, particularly through the use of psychoactive drugs.

Example: The understanding of neurotransmitter function has led to the development of antidepressants that target specific chemical imbalances in the brain.

  1. Explanatory power: It offers explanations for mental illnesses by examining the action of neurotransmitters and brain structures, providing a physiological basis for psychological disorders.

Weaknesses:

  1. Causal conclusions: The approach sometimes makes assumptions about causality based on correlational evidence.

Quote: "This evidence comes from studies that show a particular drug reduces mental disorder symptoms, assuming the neurochemical in the drug causes the disorder - this is like assuming the cause of a headache is lack of paracetamol because paracetamol is effective in reducing symptoms."

  1. Deterministic view: The biological approach can be seen as overly deterministic, suggesting that human behavior is primarily governed by internal, biological causes over which we have little control.

Highlight: This deterministic view has implications for the legal system, as it challenges notions of free will and personal responsibility for one's actions.

  1. Nature-nurture debate: Critics argue that the approach fails to adequately account for environmental influences on behavior.

Vocabulary: Nature-nurture debate: The ongoing discussion in psychology about the relative influences of genetic inheritance and environmental factors on human behavior and development.

  1. Reductionism: The biological approach may oversimplify complex psychological phenomena by reducing them to purely biological explanations.

Understanding these strengths and weaknesses is crucial for students studying the biological approach psychology A level, as it allows for a more nuanced and critical evaluation of this perspective in explaining human behavior and mental processes.

Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.

Knowunity is the #1 education app in five European countries

Knowunity has been named a featured story on Apple and has regularly topped the app store charts in the education category in Germany, Italy, Poland, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Join Knowunity today and help millions of students around the world.

Ranked #1 Education App

Download in

Google Play

Download in

App Store

Knowunity is the #1 education app in five European countries

4.9+

Average app rating

21 M

Pupils love Knowunity

#1

In education app charts in 17 countries

950 K+

Students have uploaded notes

Still not convinced? See what other students are saying...

iOS User

I love this app so much, I also use it daily. I recommend Knowunity to everyone!!! I went from a D to an A with it :D

Philip, iOS User

The app is very simple and well designed. So far I have always found everything I was looking for :D

Lena, iOS user

I love this app ❤️ I actually use it every time I study.

 

Psychology

842

26 Feb 2023

2 pages

What is the Biological Approach in Psychology?

The biological approach in psychology explores how biological structures and processes influence human behavior and mental processes. It emphasizes the role of genetics, brain function, and evolutionary factors in shaping psychological phenomena.

Key points:

  • Assumes all psychological processes have a... Show more

Approaches
A01
The biological approach
Assumptions
Suggests everything psychological is at first biological
Looks at biological structures a

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Evaluation of the Biological Approach

While the biological approach in psychology offers valuable insights into human behavior, it is not without its limitations and criticisms. This page explores some of the strengths and weaknesses of this perspective.

Strengths:

  1. Scientific rigor: The biological approach employs objective and reliable methods of investigation, such as brain imaging techniques, which provide empirical evidence for its claims.
  2. Practical applications: Insights from this approach have led to the development of effective treatments for mental illnesses, particularly through the use of psychoactive drugs.

Example: The understanding of neurotransmitter function has led to the development of antidepressants that target specific chemical imbalances in the brain.

  1. Explanatory power: It offers explanations for mental illnesses by examining the action of neurotransmitters and brain structures, providing a physiological basis for psychological disorders.

Weaknesses:

  1. Causal conclusions: The approach sometimes makes assumptions about causality based on correlational evidence.

Quote: "This evidence comes from studies that show a particular drug reduces mental disorder symptoms, assuming the neurochemical in the drug causes the disorder - this is like assuming the cause of a headache is lack of paracetamol because paracetamol is effective in reducing symptoms."

  1. Deterministic view: The biological approach can be seen as overly deterministic, suggesting that human behavior is primarily governed by internal, biological causes over which we have little control.

Highlight: This deterministic view has implications for the legal system, as it challenges notions of free will and personal responsibility for one's actions.

  1. Nature-nurture debate: Critics argue that the approach fails to adequately account for environmental influences on behavior.

Vocabulary: Nature-nurture debate: The ongoing discussion in psychology about the relative influences of genetic inheritance and environmental factors on human behavior and development.

  1. Reductionism: The biological approach may oversimplify complex psychological phenomena by reducing them to purely biological explanations.

Understanding these strengths and weaknesses is crucial for students studying the biological approach psychology A level, as it allows for a more nuanced and critical evaluation of this perspective in explaining human behavior and mental processes.

Approaches
A01
The biological approach
Assumptions
Suggests everything psychological is at first biological
Looks at biological structures a

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

The Biological Approach in Psychology

The biological approach in psychology is a fundamental perspective that examines how biological factors influence human behavior and mental processes. This approach is based on the assumption that all psychological phenomena have a biological basis.

Definition: The biological approach suggests that everything psychological is first biological, focusing on how genes, neurochemistry, and the nervous system shape our thoughts and behaviors.

Key aspects of the biological approach include:

  1. Genetic basis of behavior: Behavior geneticists study how behavioral characteristics are inherited, often using twin studies to compare concordance rates between identical MZMZ and non-identical DZDZ twins.

Vocabulary:

  • Genotype: A person's genetic makeup
  • Phenotype: The observable characteristics resulting from the expression of genes
  1. Brain structure and function: The approach examines how different brain regions and neural processes contribute to various psychological phenomena.
  2. Evolutionary perspective: It applies Darwin's theory of natural selection to explain how certain behaviors have evolved to increase survival chances.

Example: Farmers use principles of selective breeding, which is based on evolutionary theory, to enhance desirable traits in crops and livestock.

  1. Scientific methods: The biological approach employs objective techniques such as brain scanning fMRIsandEEGsfMRIs and EEGs to gather reliable data.

Highlight: The use of advanced technology in brain imaging has significantly contributed to the scientific credibility of the biological approach in psychology.

  1. Real-life applications: This approach has led to the development of psychoactive drugs for treating mental illnesses by targeting specific neurotransmitter systems in the brain.

The biological approach psychology A level curriculum often emphasizes these key concepts to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of how biology influences human behavior and mental processes.

Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.

Students love us — and so will you.

4.9/5

App Store

4.8/5

Google Play

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.

Stefan S

iOS user

This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.

Samantha Klich

Android user

Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user