Biological Psychology Approach

Biological Approach to understanding human behaviour All behaviour is determined by genetic, physiological and neurological factors The central nervous system and the ‘brain’ is a major influence Normality is a properly functioning nervous system

Biological approach to understanding human behaviour The nature of psychological development Stages of behavioural & psychological development are based on changes in brain growth which are genetically determined (maturation) Preferred method of study Experiment (on animals often rats and humans)

Biological approach to understanding human behaviour Major causes of abnormal behaviour genetic disorders organic (bodily) disorders brain disease or injury chemical imbalance / allergies mental illness

Biological approach to understanding human behaviour Preferred methods of treatment chemotherapy( drugs) electroconvulsive therapy; psychosurgery Goals of treatment To alleviate symptoms or to reverse the underlying cause (s) of the illness Key Studies Maguire et al : Brains of London Taxi Drivers Sperry: The split brain studies Dement & Kleitman: REM and dreaming

Biological approach: Assumption 1 Behaviour can be largely explained in terms of biology (e.g. genes/hormones). We can learn to understand the ‘mind’ by studying the brain - since the mind appears to reside in the brain, all thoughts, feelings and behaviours have a biological cause.

Assumption 1: examples Maguire et al: Showed which brain structure (hippocampus) is involved in storing spatial memory and facilitates people’s navigation skills. Sperry: Showed the lateralization of brain functions by studying split-brain patients. Discovered which parts of the brain are responsible for certain behaviours. For example, language – by left-hemisphere. Dement & Kleitman: Showed the relationship between the electrical brain wave activity and dreaming, for example, proposed that most dreaming occurs during REM sleep.

Biological approach: Assumption 2 Since psychological functioning has a biological basis, psychology should be seen as a science and therefore should be studied in a scientific manner.Psychology should investigate the brain, nervous system and genes in a scientific way, in order to understand the causes of specific behaviours.

Assumption 2: examples Maguire et al: Sperry: Dement & Kleitman: Studied how the volume of the grey matter and the hippocampus (anterior and posterior) differed between the black-cab drivers and controls in a scientific manner: researchers used MRI scanning equipment to provide precise and accurate measurements. Sperry: Studied brain function lateralization in split-brain patients in a highly controlled lab environment and used specialized equipment to ensure that that the information is presented to only one hemisphere at a time Dement & Kleitman: Studied stages of sleep and whether dreaming occurs during REM sleep, in a controlled lab environment and used EEG equipment to record the electrical brain wave activity which would reliably and accurately show the stages of sleep.

Biological approach: Assumption 3 Human genes have evolved over millions of years to adapt physiology and behaviour to the environment. Therefore, much of the behaviour will have a genetic basis. This suggests that brain structures are genetically pre-programmed to perform certain functions.

Assumption 3: examples Maguire et al: Sperry: Dement & Kleitman: Demonstrated that the hippocampus is responsible for storing spatial information and facilitating navigation (way-finding). Sperry: Brain function lateralization is genetically pre-determined. Different brain structures and neurons are predisposed to perform certain functions. E.g. language processing in the left-hemisphere. Dement & Kleitman: Showed that sleep patterns and brain activity during sleep are biologically hardwired in our genes, each sleep stage is associated with a distinct brain activity.

Strength 1 of the approach: P - The approach is very scientific, grounded in the hard science of biology with its objective and experimental methodology. E - C - Therefore, it provides reliable results and allows the researchers to infer cause and effects relationships.

Strength 2 P - is very useful and has many practical applications. Explained a very wide range of phenomena. E – P - Therefore, it lead to improved treatment of mental disorders, a greater understanding of the physiognomy of the brain (how our brains work) and provided means for improving the rehabilitation of people who have suffered brain damage.

Strength 3 P - It has provided strong counter-arguments to the nurture side of the nature-nurture debate E – C - Therefore, it shows the importance of our physiology/biology in influencing our behaviour, such as mental health, dreaming or memory.

Weakness: 1 P - It tends to be reductionist. The approach explains thoughts and behaviours in terms of the actions of neurons, biochemicals or separate brain parts E – C - Therefore, by seeing the behaviour as being caused solely by biology, other important explanations and causal factors may be ignored.

Weakness 2 P - cannot adequately explain how mind and body interact – cognitive factors such as emotions, thoughts and consciousness are difficult to study objectively. E – C - Therefore, the researchers have to rely on self-report data; results of the studies may lack validity due to demand characteristics.

Weakness 3 P - The biological approach is mainly studied using scientific methods. E – C - Therefore, studies of the biological approach can be low in ecological validity and it may be difficult to generalise the results beyond the experimental setting.