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Biological approach - Coggle Diagram
Biological approach
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Genetics
behaviour is therefore similar to any other physical characteristics and has evolved through natural selection and the survival of the fittest
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According to evolutionary psychologists behaviour that is shown today would have had adaptive advantages for our ancestors i.e. it increased the chances of survival and therefore survival of that gene.
Twins
Because of their unique genotype twins are often used to study the genetic contributions of behaviours
Monozygotic twins (MZ): Identical, 100% shared genes
Dizygotic twins (DZ): Non-identical, 50% shared genes
Concordance rates - express the probability that a trait present in one twin is also found in the other.
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Basic assumptions
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Behaviour originates from biological structures: genes, nervous system and neurochemistry.
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Weaknesses
The concordance rates found in twin studies are never 100%. This suggests that the behaviours are not purely genetic.
Therefore this approach has been criticised for failing to acknowledge the role of the environment in causing behaviour.
There are ethical issues trying to find a genetic basis for some behaviours. E.g. trying to discover a 'criminal gene' is problematic because it is hard to attribute responsibly if criminality is found to be genetic.
This means that applying the biological approach to all behaviours is not always possible.
The biological approach sees human behaviours as governed by internal, biological approach to all behaviour is not always possible.
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Strengths
The biological approach has a lot of supporting research. E.g. many twin studies have provided consistent evidence for the biological approach. Reviews of schizophrenia have found that the concordance rate is 48% for MZ twins and 17% for DZ twins. This supports the assumption that genetics are involved in causing behaviour because when there is a higher proportion of shared genes the disorder is more likely.
There are real-life applications of the approach.
Increased understanding of biochemistry processes has meant that there are now many effective biological treatments that work by altering neurotransmitter levels. Drug therapies for disorders such as OCD are effective.
This means that there is evidence for chemicals affecting behaviour which provides support for the biological approach.
Phenotype
The characteristics shown by a person which can either be an expression of their genotype or a result of an interaction between their genotype and an environmental factor.