Biological Psychology Approach Biological Approach to understanding human

Biological Psychology Approach

Biological Approach to understanding human behaviour § All behaviour is determined by genetic, physiological and neurological factors § The central nervous system and the ‘brain’ is a major influence § Normality is a properly functioning nervous system

Biological approach to understanding human behaviour The nature of psychological development § Stages of behavioural & psychological development are based on changes in brain growth which are genetically determined (maturation) Preferred method of study § Experiment (on animals often rats and humans)

Biological approach to understanding human behaviour Major causes of abnormal behaviour · genetic disorders · organic (bodily) disorders · brain disease or injury · chemical imbalance / allergies · mental illness

Biological approach to understanding human behaviour Preferred methods of treatment § chemotherapy( drugs) § electroconvulsive therapy; psychosurgery Goals of treatment § To alleviate symptoms or to reverse the underlying cause (s) of the illness Key Studies § § § Maguire et al : Brains of London Taxi Drivers Sperry: The split brain studies Dement & Kleitman: REM and dreaming

Biological approach: Assumption 1 § Behaviour can be largely explained in terms of biology (e. g. genes/hormones). We can learn to understand the ‘mind’ by studying the brain - since the mind appears to reside in the brain, all thoughts, feelings and behaviours have a biological cause.

Assumption 1: examples Maguire et al: Showed which brain structure (hippocampus) is involved in storing spatial memory and facilitates people’s navigation skills. Sperry: Showed the lateralization of brain functions by studying split-brain patients. Discovered which parts of the brain are responsible for certain behaviours. For example, language – by left-hemisphere. Dement & Kleitman: Showed the relationship between the electrical brain wave activity and dreaming, for example, proposed that most dreaming occurs during REM sleep.

Biological approach: Assumption 2 § Since psychological functioning has a biological basis, psychology should be seen as a science and therefore should be studied in a scientific manner. Psychology should investigate the brain, nervous system and genes in a scientific way, in order to understand the causes of specific behaviours.

Assumption 2: examples Maguire et al: Studied how the volume of the grey matter and the hippocampus (anterior and posterior) differed between the black-cab drivers and controls in a scientific manner: researchers used MRI scanning equipment to provide precise and accurate measurements. Sperry: Studied brain function lateralization in split-brain patients in a highly controlled lab environment and used specialized equipment to ensure that the information is presented to only one hemisphere at a time Dement & Kleitman: Studied stages of sleep and whether dreaming occurs during REM sleep, in a controlled lab environment and used EEG equipment to record the electrical brain wave activity which would reliably and accurately show the stages of sleep.

Biological approach: Assumption 3 § Human genes have evolved over millions of years to adapt physiology and behaviour to the environment. Therefore, much of the behaviour will have a genetic basis. This suggests that brain structures are genetically pre-programmed to perform certain functions.

Assumption 3: examples Maguire et al: Demonstrated that the hippocampus is responsible for storing spatial information and facilitating navigation (way-finding). Sperry: Brain function lateralization is genetically pre-determined. Different brain structures and neurons are predisposed to perform certain functions. E. g. language processing in the left-hemisphere. Dement & Kleitman: Showed that sleep patterns and brain activity during sleep are biologically hardwired in our genes, each sleep stage is associated with a distinct brain activity.

Strength 1 of the approach: § P - The approach is very scientific, grounded in the hard science of biology with its objective and experimental methodology. § E§ C - Therefore, it provides reliable results and allows the researchers to infer cause and effects relationships.

Strength 2 § P - is very useful and has many practical applications. Explained a very wide range of phenomena. § E– § P - Therefore, it lead to improved treatment of mental disorders, a greater understanding of the physiognomy of the brain (how our brains work) and provided means for improving the rehabilitation of people who have suffered brain damage.

Strength 3 § P - It has provided strong counterarguments to the nurture side of the nature-nurture debate § E– § C - Therefore, it shows the importance of our physiology/biology in influencing our behaviour, such as mental health, dreaming or memory.

Weakness: 1 § P - It tends to be reductionist. The approach explains thoughts and behaviours in terms of the actions of neurons, biochemicals or separate brain parts § E– § C - Therefore, by seeing the behaviour as being caused solely by biology, other important explanations and causal factors may be ignored.

Weakness 2 § P - cannot adequately explain how mind and body interact – cognitive factors such as emotions, thoughts and consciousness are difficult to study objectively. § E– § C - Therefore, the researchers have to rely on self-report data; results of the studies may lack validity due to demand characteristics.

Weakness 3 § P - The biological approach is mainly studied using scientific methods. § E– § C - Therefore, studies of the biological approach can be low in ecological validity and it may be difficult to generalise the results beyond the experimental setting.