Applied Psychology: Biological Approach

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What 4 concepts do you cover in the biological approach?
Genes, neurochemistry, brain structures and evolution
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Give two assumptions of the biological approach
1. Everything psychological is at first, biological meaning that everything is caused by something physical in the body.
2. We are the result of our genes which have
come from parents and evolution
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What is a gene?
The instructions for physical and psychological characteristics. They consist of DNA and make up 23 pairs of chromosomes.
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Define genotype and phenotype
genotype: the actual genetic makeup f an individual
phenotype: what the characteristic looks like/is after being influenced by both genes and the environment.
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Which gene determines the sex of a baby?
The SRY gene
sex determining region y gene
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What chromosome pairs do males and females have?
female: **
male: XY
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What does the SRY gene do in males?
It leads to the development of testes by switching on other genes. These testes then release testosterone which causes further masculine development.
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What is a strength of the concepts of genotype and phenotype?
It has real-life application because it is understood how disorders such as OCD and disease such as cancer develop. Now we know it is an interaction between the genes and environment, one of these can be controlled to reduce the risk of the illness.
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What is a weakness of genes as an explanation for behaviour?
some research oversimplifies the influence of genes. There is never 'one' gene responsible for a behaviour. For example with OCD there are 230 different candidate genes showing that to try and pinpoint one gene is too simple.
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what is neuroanatomy?
the structure of the nervous system and brain. The actual physical regions of these
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what does 'localisation of function' refer to?
the idea that many behaviours are caused by specific, localised, parts of the brain such as the frontal lobe rather than being caused by the whole brain.
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Name the 4 main regions of the brain
frontal, temporal, parietal, occipital lobes
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within which lobe will you find the visual cortex?
occipital
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within which lobe will you find the motor cortex?
frontal lobe (at the top)
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and the somatosensory area?
parietal lobe
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what differences have been found in men and women's brain?
males have larger brains
the number of connections between the hemispheres is larger in females
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what is a strength of this difference in brain structure?
Ingalhalikar et al (2014) used MRI scans and found the women have stronger connections between hemispheres and men have stronger connections within their hemispheres. Showing support for difference in function
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What is a weakness of this research?
Just because there is difference in structure doesn't directly mean a difference in behaviour for men and women.
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What was the aim of Harlow (1868)?
To investigate the behaviour of Phineas Gage after an iron rod passed through his head.
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What was the procedure of Harlow (1868)?
It was a case study using observational
techniques. Harlow observed and interviews Phineas and recorded his findings. As the metal rod was an accident, this is not part of the procedure
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what were the findings of Harlow (1868)?
his personality changed completely. he became impulsive, aggressive, swore a lot and he was 'no longer gage'
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what were the conclusions of Harlow (1868)?
functions are localised
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what is a strength of Harlow (1868)?
it was the most ethical way of studying this behaviour at the time
harlow made careful observations of gage
it has real life application: understanding of brain regions and accidents
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what is one weakness of Harlow (1868)?
it was only one person being studied= doesn't generalise
harlow may have been biased in his reporting. he didn't know what gage was like before the accident and relied on friends statements.
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What is neurochemistry?
the activity of substances in the brain and nervous system (neurotransmitters) as well as the rest of the body (hormones). Neurochemistry influences behaviour
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What is a neurotransmitter? Where are they found?
A chemical messenger in the brain. It generally is found between neurons. They jump across the gap between neurons and pass the message on
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what is an example of a neurotransmitter?
serotonin
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Name 2 sex hormones
testosterone
oestrogen
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briefly explain what testosterone does
testosterone: the male sex hormone. It is produced when the SRY gene is present and
testes have developed. Leads to the development of male genitalia and puberty related characteristics.
It is also linked to aggression
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briefly explain what oestrogen does
the female sex hormone. leads to the development of reproductive organs and puberty related characteristics.
It causes physical menstrual related changes as well as irritability.
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Goozen et al (1995) found support for sex hormones influencing gender related behaviour. What did they find, specifically?
transgender women receiving female sex hormones had reduced aggression and visuo-spatial skills.
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what is a weakness of the concepts of neurochemistry?
the research into hormones being given to transitioning people is not reliable
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Who's study is related to the key concept of neurochemistry?
Deady et al. (2006) maternal personality and reproductive ambition in women
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what was the aim of Deady (2006)?
to investigate the link between testosterone and maternal personality traits (broodiness)
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what was the procedure of Deady (2006)?
27 female students completed the BSRI which measures masculine and feminine traits. They also answered questions about whether they wanted children or not.
Testosterone in saliva was then measured.
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what was the finding of Deady (2006)?
a link was found between high testosterone levels, masculine traits and a lack of maternal personality.
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what was the conclusion of Deady (2006)?
women's maternal tendencies are moderated by the male sex hormone - testosterone.
reproductive ambition has a biological basis.
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what was a strength of Deady (2006)?
There is research support. Dabbs & Hargrove (1997) female prisoners who were more dominant in a prison had higher testosterone levels
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what was a weakness of Deady (2006)?
this data is correlational. it doesn't show causation.
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Explain what is meant by the term natural selection
Genes which helped a species survive in their environment were passed on to the next generation. Those genes which hindered the species die out.
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Explain what is meant by the environment of evolutionary adaptation
The environment a species lives in which it must adapt to. For humans this is the African savannah which we evolved to be hunter-gatherers in.
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Explain what is meant by the term genome lag
This is what is used to describe behaviours which have 'stuck around' which used to be adaptive but no longer help us anymore because the environment has now changed, e.g. the fight or flight response.
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Explain what is meant by the term sexual selection
Behaviours or characteristics which are passed along in genes that do not help an animal survive (in fact it may hinder their survival) but instead they are passed on because they are seen as attractive to a mate. e.g. a Peacocks large colourful tail.
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What is the aim of the key study by Buss et al. (1992)?
To investigate whether males and females experience different forms of jealousy in response to thoughts of infidelity.
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What was the procedure of the key study by Buss et al. (1992)?
Male and female Americans asked to think of their current/past partner either having passionate sexual intercourse or forming a deep emotional attachment with another person. Their physiological response was measured to see which was most stressful.
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What was the finding of the key study by Buss et al. (1992)?
60% of men and 17% of women were more distressed by sexual infidelity scenario.
83% of women and 40% of men were more distressed by the deep emotional infidelity scenario.
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What were the conclusions of the key study by Buss et al. (1992)?
There is an evolutionary explanation of jealousy. Males find sexual infidelity more stressful because their 'aim' is to pass on their own genes and sexual infidelity hinders this.
Emotional infidelity was more stressful for women because it risks losing
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What is a strength of the key study by Buss et al. (1992)?
Buss et al. used physiological methods to measure stress which is more objective and is therefore more scientific.
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What is a weakness of the key study by Buss et al. (1992)?
The sample used in this study was limited because it used only one culture. As evolution is supposed to be universal it would be better to use a cross cultural sample to see if sexual/emotional jealousy is the same for men and women across the world.
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Give 4 features of the biological approach which are used to explain aggression
Evolution (aggression was adaptive)
Brain structures (amygdala responds to threats and the orbitofrontal cortex regulates impulses)
Neurochemistry (self control is linked to low serotonin)
Genes (the MAO-A gene is faulty leading to not breaking down neuro
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Give two assumptions of the biological approach

Back

1. Everything psychological is at first, biological meaning that everything is caused by something physical in the body.
2. We are the result of our genes which have
come from parents and evolution

Card 3

Front

What is a gene?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

Define genotype and phenotype

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

Which gene determines the sex of a baby?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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