The biological approach

Main assumptions:

 The biological approach suggests that everything psychological is at first biological.

 In order to fully understand human behaviour, we must look to biological structures

and processes within the body such as genes, neurochemicals, brain structure and
evolution.

Genotype and phenotype:

 Genes: make up chromosomes and consist of DNA (does the physical features of an
organism and psychological features); transmitted from parents to offspring, i.e.
inherited

 Genotype: the particular set of genes that a person processes

 Phenotype: the characteristics of an individual determined by both genes and the

environment

Family studies:

 Obtains a sample of people with a characteristic and asks them if any of their relatives
have had any history of the disorder

 E.g. In a family study of schizophrenia as the percentage of genes shared increased so

did the risk of developing schizophrenia

Adoption studies:

 Investigates identical twins who have been separated at birth for similarity on a given
characteristic

 Bouchard et al (1990) studied adult identical twin pairs separated at the age of 5
months.

 He tested the IQ of the twins and found a strong similarity.

Twins studies:

 Uses correlational methods to investigate the similarity of MZ twins compared with

that of DZ twins

 Nestadt found that monozygotic twins had a higher concordance rate (68%) for OCD
than dizygotic twins (31%).
  This difference in concordance rates demonstrates a genetic basis to OCD as both sets
of twins share the same environment the only difference is the number of genes
shared.
Evolution of human behaviour:

 The theory of natural selection (proposed by Charles Darwin): any genetically

determined behaviour that enhances an individual’s survival (and reproduction) will
continue in future generations, i.e. be naturally selected

 The evolutionary theory: attraction is genetically pre-disposed, we seek traits in mates

that and survival and reproduction

 In a research by Buss, he found universal similarities in human mate preference:

- Women: earning capacity → allow them to provide for their offspring
- Men: looks ⸪ an indication of fertility and reproductive value

Evolution of fear:

 The evolutionary theory: fear is instinctive because it helps us survive

 People in the past who feared these things were more likely to survive, these are the
people who managed to reproduce → the passing on of their fears

The neurochemicals basis of behaviour:

 Neurochemistry refers to the actions of chemicals in the brain.

 Much of our thought and behaviour relies on chemical transmission in the brain. This
occurs using neurotransmitters.

 Neurotransmitter is a brain chemical messenger.

 It transmits signals across the synapse and relates to emotional factors.

 An imbalance of neurochemical in the brain has been implicated as possible cause of

mental illness

 E.g. low levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin → OCD; overproduction of

dopamine → schizophrenia

The brain structures basis of behaviour:

 The frontal lobe: handles most of our conscious planning, especially pre-frontal
cortex; important for self-control and decision-making; has a big role to play in
handling aggression; Raine observed murderers showed less activity in the frontal
lobe compared to a non-criminal control group

 The temporal lobe: handles most of our memory functions; Schmolck looked at
patients who had enormous memory problems because of brain damage to the
temporal lobe
  The occipital lobe: at the back of the brain; processes sight and our sense of the
environment

 The parietal lobe: controls language; specialises in touch and directing body
movements
Evaluation

There is evidence to support the biological approach from studies conducted by Nestadt et al.
Twins studies are used to investigate whether certain psychological characteristics have a
genetic basis. This is achieved by analysing concordance rates – the extent to which twins
share the same characteristics. He found that monozygotic twins had a higher concordance
rate (68%) for OCD than dizygotic twins (31%). The difference in concordance rates
demonstrates a genetic basis to OCD as both sets of twins share the same environment, the
only difference is the number of genes shared. This study shows that psychological
characteristics have a genetic basis.

One strength of the biological approach is that it uses scientific methods of investigation. In
order to investigate the genetic and biological basis of behaviour, the biological approach
makes use of a range of precise and highly objective methods. These include scanning
techniques, such as fMRIs and EEGs. With advances in technology, it is possible to
accurately measure physiological and neural processes in ways that are not open to bias. This
means that much of the biological approach is based on objective and reliable data. This
suggests that biological experiments have scientific credibility. In 1989, Buss conducted the
mate selection questionnaire, which may not be relevant today. Thus, it has low temporal
validity. Concordance rates in the twins studies do not match the expected concordance rates
of 100% and 50% suggested by the number of genes shared. This reduces the internal validity
of the results as the environment is also playing a role, not just genetics.

However, there is opposing research to the biological approach by Bandura. Young children
who watched an adult behave in an aggressive way towards a Bobo doll. The adult hit the
doll with a hammer and shouted abuse at it. When these children were later observed playing
with various toys, including a Bobo doll, they behaved much more aggressively towards the
doll and the other toys than those who had observed a non-aggressive doll. Bandura found a
marked difference in aggression scores for those in the aggressive condition, compared to the
non-aggressive and control conditions. This explains that people learn indirectly through
observation and imitation of others. The biological approach therefore provides an
incomplete explanation of human behaviour as their main assumption is that everything
psychological is at first biological.

The biological approach supports the idea of determinism because it is assumed that traits and
behaviours are governed by internal biological factors like genes, neurochemistry, brain
structure and function. This is a strength because it sees behaviour as deterministic by
external forces such as genes. The value of this is that we are able to predict and assume
human behaviour. However, it does not take into account free will and this is a limitation as it
is not compatible with our justice system which holds us morally accountable for our actions.
A better alternative would be the cognitive approach which takes into account both free will
and determinism, taking a soft determinism perspective.
Further support for the biological approach comes from its application in real-world.
Increased understanding of neurochemical processes in the brain is associated with the use of
psychoactive drugs to treat serious mental disorders. For example, the biological approach
has promoted the treatment of clinical depression using antidepressant drugs that increase
levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin at synapses in the brain. Such drugs have been
associated with the reduction of depressive symptoms. This means that people with
depression may be better able to manage their condition and live a relatively normal life,
rather than remain in the hospital.