AO1 2 Types – Genetic and Biochemical Genetic – depression seems to run in families and a number of studies have shown a correlation between the biological closeness of the relationship and the likelihood of developing depression. Biochemical imbalances in neurotransmitters cause depression; most notably noradrenalin‚ serotonin according to the permissive amine theory is a controller and dopamine. Interruption in the transmission of nervous impulses Hormones – high levels of cortisol – overactive
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The Biological Approach to psychology focuses on the body‚ with emphasis on the brain and nervous system. Psychologists attempt to examine our behavior and our mental processes through our physiological reactions to situations in the world around us. One such example is the way your heartbeat increases when you’re scared‚ our how your palms perspire when you lie. There’s no true way to tell exactly how many biological systems are influenced by our thoughts and feelings‚ but thanks to advances in
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Outline and evaluate the biological approach to psychopathology (12 marks) The biological approach is widely used in diagnosing and treating mental illness. The theory suggests that mental illnesses occur due to a physical cause. Physical causes include genetic inheritance‚ viruses‚ toxicity‚ physical trauma for example a head injury or perhaps an imbalance of hormones bought on by stress. These physical‚ external occurrences can distort thinking‚ emotion and behaviours in some people. Studies
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Discuss biological approaches to addiction (9+16 Marks) The genetics of addiction: * People who have an addictive personality are likely to be predisposed to it because of their genes. * Family and twin studies have demonstrated that genes contribute towards the development of alcohol dependence‚ with heritability estimates of between 50 and 60 % for both males and females. McGue‚ 1999 * Fowler et al‚ 2007 – found that in a study of 1‚214 twins genetic influences played a role in the
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The psychologist taking the biological approach would respond with an explanation of how the brain may be deficient in a certain area. He/she may suggest that there is a chemical imbalance in the brain causing the irrational actions displayed by the criminal. There may be any number of chemicals in the brain that could be off and affecting reactions in the nervous system all the way into the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system. Additionally‚ the psychologist may attribute genetic markers
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true (Davies & Bhugra‚ 2004). The biological approach and psychoanalytic approach are both deterministic. They both claim that innate componants are responsible for our behaviour. The biological approach claims Behaviour is caused by specific brain structures or that genetic makeup. For example if you have a gene for for a specific behaviour‚ you will exhibit that type of behaviour. Valentine(1992‚ cited in Davey & Sterling‚ 2008). The psychoanalytic approach deterministic as it claims the unconscious
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The Biological Approach One of the most perplexing issues in psychology is understanding the relationship between the mind and the brain. We all recognize that we have conscious awareness of our surroundings‚ and also of ourselves (self-awareness). It is this experience which has normally been described as the mind. But what is the basis of the mind? Is it the expression of a non-physical soul‚ or is it a product of physical processes within our body? Philosophers and scientists have been pondering
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Biological Approach Bipolar Disorder “The biological approach looks for its roots of mental disorders in the brain’s circuitry.” (Kowalski‚ R.‚ & Westen‚ D.) When using the biological approach the mental health professional is looking for problem with how a person brain is functioning. It is their belief that it is more of a medical cause for a person’s problems. The brain is studied to see if it is functioning proper and if it is not what the possible causes may be. It is known that different
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Discuss the biological approach in psychology. Refer to at least one other approach in your answer. (12 marks) The biological approach focuses on both the physiological and evolutionary aspects which explain human behaviour. The causal level of analysis incorporates physiological explanations‚ such as the effect of nerves and hormones on behaviour. According to biological psychologists‚ behaviour is controlled by the nervous system‚ which consists of the central nervous system (the brain and the
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Psychology AS Level Guy Webber The Biological Approach What assumptions do biopsychologists make? Psychologists from the biological approach assume that behaviour and experiences are caused by activity in the nervous system of the body. The things that people think and feel‚ say and do are caused‚ one way or another‚ by electrochemical events occurring within and between the neurones that make up their nervous system‚ particular those in the brain. Many biopsychologists also agree that
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