Biological Area

Question 1

Core studies for regions of the brain

Answer 1

Sperry

Casey et al

Question 2

Core studies for brain plasticity

Answer 2

Blakemore and Cooper

Maguire

Question 3

What is the biological area

Answer 3

• main focus is to study the extent to which behaviour and experience are determined by our biology
• biological psychologists have focused on studying the structure and functions of the brain and nervous system
• brain scanning techniques allow for more detailed study of the brain was previously possible
• supports nature/nurture debate

Question 4

Principles

Answer 4

• all thoughts, feelings and behaviour have a physical/ biological cause and can be explained through genetics, chemicals, level of brain activity
• human behaviour is determined rather than as a result of free will
• brain structures and activity can be studied and changes in structures related to experiences
• differences in emotion, cognition and behaviour are genetically controlled

Question 5

Strengths of the biological area

Answer 5

• because measures are of biological functions, data is objective, and un influenced by personal bias
• technical and accurate measures can be taken using specialised techniques often using highly controlled conditions, therefore very reliable
• it contributes to our understanding of the nature/ nurture debate, often providing support for the’nature’
• it can show clear links between biology and behaviour and these links can lead to useful applications

Question 6

Weaknesses of biological area

Answer 6

Reductionism - it reduces complex human behaviour down to simple biological explanations and ignoring other explanations
• as measures are usually taken in highly controlled conditions, tasks may lack ecological validity
• highly deterministic - behaviour is seen to be due to factors outside of our control
• difficult to study all behaviours in this way because the mind and body interact with the environment and biological approach does not explore how complex systems interact