Back to AI Flashcard MakerPsychology /2022-2024 Year 13 A-Level Psychology - The Biological Approach MH Part 2
2022-2024 Year 13 A-Level Psychology - The Biological Approach MH Part 2
This flashcard deck covers key concepts from the biological approach to psychology, focusing on explanations for OCD, neurotransmitter imbalances, and evolutionary theories. It includes AO3 evaluations and practical applications.
How can we use the biological approach to explain OCD - Name the 3 explanations
• Genetic approach • Neurochemical explanation • Neuroanatomy
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Key Terms
Term
Definition
How can we use the biological approach to explain OCD - Name the 3 explanations
• Genetic approach • Neurochemical explanation • Neuroanatomy
How does the genetic approach explain OCD?
The genetic approach for explaining OCD suggests that OCD is inherited through maladaptive genes such as SERT. Mutation in the SERT gene leads to low ...
What does the neurochemical explanation suggest about how OCD develops?
The neurochemical explanation explains that OCD is due to low activity levels of serotonin in the synapse. Serotonin is recycled too quickly to the pr...
What does the neuroanatomy explanation suggest about how OCD develops?
Neuroanatomy explanation suggests OCD develops through differences in size, shape and function of the brain and certain brain areas, including a hyper...
What is a neurotransmitter?
A chemical messenger in the brain that passes information from one synapse to the next to produce a behaviour or emotion.
What happens if there is an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain?
It can lead to abnormal behaviour.
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| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
How can we use the biological approach to explain OCD - Name the 3 explanations | • Genetic approach • Neurochemical explanation • Neuroanatomy |
How does the genetic approach explain OCD? | The genetic approach for explaining OCD suggests that OCD is inherited through maladaptive genes such as SERT. Mutation in the SERT gene leads to low activity levels of serotonin, associated with higher levels of anxiety in OCD. |
What does the neurochemical explanation suggest about how OCD develops? | The neurochemical explanation explains that OCD is due to low activity levels of serotonin in the synapse. Serotonin is recycled too quickly to the pre-synaptic neuron so cannot bind to the post-synaptic neuron. This means mood cannot regulate properly which has been linked to increased anxiety in those with OCD. |
What does the neuroanatomy explanation suggest about how OCD develops? | Neuroanatomy explanation suggests OCD develops through differences in size, shape and function of the brain and certain brain areas, including a hypersensitive basal ganglia. |
What is a neurotransmitter? | A chemical messenger in the brain that passes information from one synapse to the next to produce a behaviour or emotion. |
What happens if there is an imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain? | It can lead to abnormal behaviour. |
An imbalance of the neurotransmitter dopamine has been linked with what disorder? | Schizophrenia |
Schizophrenia has been associated with an imbalance in which neurotransmitter? | Dopamine |
An imbalance of the neurotransmitter serotonin has been linked with which disorders? | • Depression • Anxiety • OCD |
Depression, Anxiety and OCD have been associated with an imbalance in which neurotransmitter? | Serotonin |
What is the name of Charles Darwin's theory? | Natural Selection |
Natural selection is the name of who's theory? | Charles Darwin |
What does the theory of natural selection suggest about survival? | Any genetically determined behaviour that increases an individual's chances of survival and reproduction will continue to be passed on to future generations |
Behaviour that increased an individuals chance of survival and reproduction so will continued to be passed onto to future generations is explaining what theory? | Natural selection |
Evolution can explain a range of behaviours. Give an example of 2 behaviours that can be passed down through natural selection. | • intelligence • aggression |
Why may being aggressive have been advantageous at some point in our ancestry? | Increased chances of gaining resources such as hunting food which would be attractive to a mate. |
One third of men have which gene that has been linked to aggressive behaviour? | 'Warrior gene - MAOA gene |
What is the MAOA gene also referred to as? | 'Warrior gene' |
What has the 'warrior gene'/MAOA gene been linked to? | Aggressive behaviour in men |
What proportion of men have been found to have the MAOA 'warrior' gene? | 1/3rd - One third |
AO3: Why is the biological explanation for behaviour biologically reductionist? | The approach reduces complex human behaviour down to simple basic units of genes/neurochemicals/neuroanatomy. which neglects a holistic approach. |
AO3: Why is the biological approach for explaining behaviour biologically deterministic? | The approach states that an individual is controlled by internal factors such as genes and neurochemicals that inevitably cause behaviour, which neglects the role of free will. |
AO3: Why is the biological approach to explaining behaviour praised for scientific methods? | Because the approach uses objective and empirical methods to investigate behaviour such as gene mapping and brain scanning techniques. |
AO3: If the biological approach uses empirical and objective methods to investigate behaviour, what type of validity will this increase? | Internal validity |
AO3: What practical applications do we have from the biological explanation of OCD? | Drug therapy - SSRI's |