Scribd Logo
Upload

Welcome to Scribd!

  • 202 views

    Biological Approach Essay

    Uploaded by

    Benjamin John
    The biological approach emphasizes the importance of physical processes like genetics and neural functions in understanding human behavior. It assumes that (1) behavior can be explained by biological factors, (2) all behavior has biological causes, and (3) animal research can inform human behavior. Genes influence brain development and behavior. Neurochemistry may also affect behavior if neurotransmitters are too high or low. However, the biological approach ignores environmental influences on behavior. While genetics play a role, the influence of nurture like upbringing and life experiences cannot be discounted.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Biological Approach Essay

    Uploaded by

    Benjamin John
    202 views1 page
    The biological approach emphasizes the importance of physical processes like genetics and neural functions in understanding human behavior. It assumes that (1) behavior can be explained by biological factors, (2) all behavior has biological causes, and (3) animal research can inform human behavior. Genes influence brain development and behavior. Neurochemistry may also affect behavior if neurotransmitters are too high or low. However, the biological approach ignores environmental influences on behavior. While genetics play a role, the influence of nurture like upbringing and life experiences cannot be discounted.

    Copyright

    © © All Rights Reserved

    Available Formats

    DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Did you find this document useful?

    Is this content inappropriate?

    The biological approach emphasizes the importance of physical processes like genetics and neural functions in understanding human behavior. It assumes that (1) behavior can be explained by biological factors, (2) all behavior has biological causes, and (3) animal research can inform human behavior. Genes influence brain development and behavior. Neurochemistry may also affect behavior if neurotransmitters are too high or low. However, the biological approach ignores environmental influences on behavior. While genetics play a role, the influence of nurture like upbringing and life experiences cannot be discounted.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    202 views1 page

    Biological Approach Essay

    Uploaded by

    Benjamin John
    The biological approach emphasizes the importance of physical processes like genetics and neural functions in understanding human behavior. It assumes that (1) behavior can be explained by biological factors, (2) all behavior has biological causes, and (3) animal research can inform human behavior. Genes influence brain development and behavior. Neurochemistry may also affect behavior if neurotransmitters are too high or low. However, the biological approach ignores environmental influences on behavior. While genetics play a role, the influence of nurture like upbringing and life experiences cannot be discounted.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    of 1

    Ben John

    H/W

    Discuss the contribution of the biological approach to our understanding of


    human behaviour in psychology.

    The Biological approach is a perspective that emphasises the importance of physical processes in the
    body such as genetic inheritance and neural function.

    Here are three main assumptions of the biological approach. Firstly, that human behaviour can be
    explained by looking at biological stuff such as hormones, genetics, evolution and the nervous system.
    Secondly, that in theory, we can explain all behaviour using biological causes, unwanted behaviour could
    be modified or removes using biological treatments such as medication for mental illness. Finally,
    experimental research conducted using animals can inform us about human behaviour and biological
    influences, because we share a lot of biological similarities.

    In the biological approach, genes are relevant in psychology as they are important in the development of
    the brain and therefore have a role in our behaviour. This is supported by Darwin’s theory of evolution
    that suggests that over time, individuals who are better adapted to their environment are more likely to
    survive to reproduce and pass on their genes. This may be the reason for behaviours such as phobias
    and aggression that may have evolved because of the survival advantage they gave. In a similar way,
    farmers might have selected animals with desirable traits for breeding e.g. high meat or milk content.
    Neuro chemistry (all about the nervous system and neurotransmitters) might also influence behaviour.
    Too much or too little of a particular neurotransmitter may produce psychological disorders and
    unordinary behaviours e.g. an increased level of dopamine is linked to schizophrenia.

    However, the biological approach does not consider the influence of people’s environment, their family,
    childhood experience or their social situation whereas other approaches take these factors into account.
    Identical twins, non-identical twins and members of the same family have genetic similarities. Therefore,
    the biological approach argues, any similarities in the way that they look and behave must be down to
    their genetics. However, there is a compounding variable. This is that they are also exposed to similar
    environmental conditions and therefore findings on how people behave could be interpreted as
    supporting nurture just as much or more than nature. In addition, di-zygotic twins generally have higher
    concordance rates than pairs of ordinary siblings. This must be explained by nurture as di-zygotic twins
    and full siblings both have 50% genes in common. Therefore, the biological approach finds it hard to
    separate nature and nurture when explaining behaviour.

    Overall, the biological approach can explain certain behaviour up to a certain extent through the
    examination of the biological structure of our bodies and DNA. However, it has a narrow view and does
    not acknowledge other factors which may affect behaviour such as the environment, upbringing and
    previous experiences.

    You might also like