Biological Approach Essay Example

Biological Psychologists apply the principles of biology to the study of mental processes and behaviour. They believe that the mind and the brain are the same and that thought processes and behaviour cannot occur without the operation of the central nervous system (CNS). This psychological theory says that an imbalance of chemicals in the brain can cause mental disorders such as bipolar disorder. Thought process and human behaviour have a biological basis and are influenced by both our genetic inheritance and makeup. These psychologists are of the opinion that human characteristics such as intelligence are due to our DNA and are innate; they also believe that our genes have evolved to help us adopt our behaviour to the environment. The brain and the CNS are the key parts of the biological approach. The CNS consists of the brain and the spinal cord. The brain has three main parts; the brain stem, the cerebellum and the cerebral hemispheres. The right cerebral hemisphere controls left side motor co-ordination and the left side controls right side motor co-ordination.

Genetics play a large part in the biological approach. Genetics is the study of the genetic makeup of organisms and how genes influence physical and behavioural characteristics. Genes interact with the environment and influence bodily function and structure. There are many different types of gene research such as; Genetic mapping where the genes responsible of each behaviour and function are tracked, genetic engineering where the genetic code is altered to change or eliminate a function or to measure the effects on behaviour and selective breeding where the genetic code is manipulated to produce a prime specimen within a species. Genes contribute to the genotype of an individual. The genotype is the genetic makeup of an individual. An individual’s presentations of characteristics or phenotype are influenced greatly by their genotype. However phenotype is also affected by the environment. Thomas