Biological approach

• What are assumptions of the biological approach?

  Everything psychological was first biological

  An understanding of brain structure and function can explain our thoughts and behaviour
• what is the role of behaviour genetics?

  they study whether behavioural characteristics, such as intelligence, personality etc are inherited the same way as physical characteristics
• what is a persons genotype?

  their actual genetic makeup
• what is a persons phenotype?

  is the way their genes are expressed through physical and behavioural characteristics
• What was Charles Darwins theory?

  He had the theory of evolution and natural selection in the 19th century
• what type of research methods are used to investigate biopsychology?

  EEG, fMRI, twin and family studies
• what real life application does the biological approach have

  increased understanding of the biochemical processes has led to further development of psychoactive drugs
• what is a casual conclusion of this approach?

  it offers explanations for mental illnesses in terms of the actions of neurotransmitters in the brain