Biological Assumptions

Question 1

What does the biological approach suggest behaviour is caused by?

Answer 1

Internal biological systems

Question 2

What is the first biological assumption?

Answer 2

Behaviour can be explained by neurotransmitters

Question 3

What are neurotransmitters?

Answer 3

Chemical messengers that carry chemical signals from one neuron (nerve cell) to another

Question 4

What are the 5 main neurotransmitters?

Answer 4

• Serotonin
• GABA
• Noradrenaline
• Oxytocin
• Dopamine

Question 5

What is a neuron?

Answer 5

An electrically excitable cell which processes and transmits neurotransmitters through electric/chemical signals

Question 6

How do neurons send messages?

Answer 6

Via synaptic transmission

Question 7

What is a synapse?

Answer 7

The gap between neurons where chemicals can diffuse across

Question 8

Where is the synapse found?

Answer 8

Between the axon of the pre-neuron and the dendrites of the post-neuron

Question 9

Where are neurotransmitters released from?

Answer 9

Presynaptic vesicles on the axon

Question 10

What does serotonin do in the body? What may too little serotonin cause?

Answer 10

Serotonin is linked to regulation of mood, sleep and appetite.
Too little serotonin can lead to depression.

Question 11

What can excess dopamine in the body cause?

Answer 11

Schizophrenia

Question 12

What is the second assumption of the biological approach?

Answer 12

Behaviour can be explained by localisation of brain function

Question 13

What does the assumption ‘localisation of function’ suggest about behaviour?

Answer 13

Certain areas of the brain are responsible for particular functions

Question 14

What are the 4 lobes of the human brain?

Answer 14

• Frontal
• Parietal
• Occipital
• Temporal

Question 15

What does the frontal lobe control in the brain? (3)
What will damage to the area cause?

Answer 15

• Thinking and creativity
• Language production
• Motor area

Understanding language but unable to speak

Question 16

What does the parietal lobe control in the brain?
What will damage to the area cause?

Answer 16

Sensory information e.g. touch and pain

Can use language but limited comprehension skills

Question 17

What does the occipital lobe control in the brain?
What will damage to the area cause?

Answer 17

• Visual information and processing
• Perception issues and blind spots

Question 18

What does the temporal lobe control in the brain? (2)
What will damage to the area cause?

Answer 18

• Auditory information
• Memory

Sensory issues e.g. numbness

Question 19

What is a real-life example of localisation of brain function?

Answer 19

Phineas Gage:
A metal rod was fired through his brain, through his frontal lobe. He survived but his personality changed dramatically

Question 20

What is the third assumption of the biological approach?

Answer 20

Behaviour can be explained by evolutionary influences

Question 21

What is evolution?

Answer 21

The changes in inherited characteristics in a population over many generations

Question 22

What is natural selection?

Answer 22

The idea that any genetically determined behaviour which enhances survival will be naturally selected

Question 23

Who wrote ‘the Origin of Species’?

Answer 23

Charles Darwin

Question 24

What did the Origin of Species suggest about natural selection?

Answer 24

Any trait that increases the chance of survival of a species will be naturally selected by evolution. Any trait that decreases the chance of survival of a species will die out

Question 25

What is an environment of evolutionary adaptiveness?

Answer 25

The set of conditions under which a species evolved and developed traits that enhanced survival and reproduction

Question 26

EQ - Using an example from psychology, describe the biological assumption of 'localisation of brain function' (4)

Answer 26

* Description of what localisation of brain function is. * Naming of the four lobes. * Description of the function of each lobe. * Example of function localisation e.g. language.

Question 27

EQ - Using an example from psychology, describe the biological assumption of 'neurotransmitters' (4)

Answer 27

* Neurotransmitters as chemical messengers. * Role of neurons in the communication process. * Release of neurotransmitters from the presynaptic neuron to the post-synaptic neuron. * Passing of neurotransmitters through the synapse/synaptic cleft. * Examples of neurotransmitters e.g. serotonin, dopamine.

Question 28

EQ - Using an example from psychology, describe the biological assumption of 'evolutionary influences' (4)

Answer 28

* Process of natural selection. * Survival of the fittest. * Role of genetics in the survival and selection process. * Ability of the most successful to adapt to their environment. * Examples of evolutionary influences on behaviour e.g. mate selection, phobia development, stress response.