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Evaluation points for biological approach - Coggle Diagram
Evaluation points for biological approach
Supporting research- twin studies
Research into concordance rates has shown that many traits are heritable
The likelihood of developing a trait is greater if someone with that trait shares 100% of your genes as opposed to someone who only shares 50% or none of your genes
For example: the concordance for schizophrenia in MZ twins is 48% but for DZ twins this rate is only 17% and for the general population the risk is 1%.
This seems to be a pattern for many human traits and therefore supports the role of genetics in explaining human behaviour since risk increases as genes shared with the sufferer increases
No Blame
Biological approach suggests people's characteristics and behaviour can be attributed to internal workings of the brain and body
It implies that people are not responsible for their actions as they are beyond their control
This could be considered as determinist, it is also more ethical when looking at features of mental illness as it is not the fault of the sufferer that are experiencing problems
Cause and effect
Other ideas must be considered in combination with biology
Often biology is unable to provide a casual link- for example: many mental illness present concordance rates of around 50% for MZ twins so despite sharing the same biology only 50% of mental illnesses can be attributed to biology alone
For example: a biological predisposition needs an environmental trigger in order for the disorder to manifest
This is also true of characteristics such as height- affected by diet and exercise as well as biology
We do not know if biology was the cause or effect
For example: learning of the London streets to acquire "the knowledge" results in the hippocampus growing therefore experience can alter biology- biology may not cause the trait
Reductionist
It does not consider a holistic explanation of human behaviour and research evidence in behaviourism and cognitive psychology strongly supports the influences of other processes in explaining human behaviour
It neglects the influence of learning and thought processes (both conscious and unconscious)
Therefore it is oversimplified
Effectiveness of drugs
They interfere with biochemistry to treat illness and are effective
Drugs which treat mental conditions are effective
It can be assumed that the cause of such conditions is biochemical
For example, schizophrenia can be attributed to high levels of dopamine and therefore blocking dopamine can relieve psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions