Biological approach flashcards

The biological approach in IB Psychology examines how physiological factors shape human thought and behaviour. Students must understand how the brain, hormones, neurotransmitters, and genetics influence psychological processes. Key principles include the idea that the brain is the source of all mental activity, that behaviour can be inherited through genes, and that neurochemical imbalances can affect mood and cognition. Research methods central to this approach include brain imaging techniques, twin studies, and animal experiments. Students should also consider the strengths and limitations of this approach, such as its scientific rigour versus its tendency to underplay social and cultural influences. Understanding localisation of brain function, the role of specific neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, and the nature-nurture debate are all essential for success.

1. Card 1

   What is the core assumption of the biological approach in psychology?

   All thoughts, feelings and behaviours have a physiological basis, meaning they can be explained by brain activity, genetics, or neurochemistry.

2. Card 2

   What does 'localisation of brain function' mean?

   Localisation is the idea that specific regions of the brain are responsible for particular functions, such as the hippocampus for memory formation.

3. Card 3

   What is a neurotransmitter and give one example relevant to behaviour?

   A neurotransmitter is a chemical messenger that transmits signals between neurons. Serotonin is linked to mood regulation and low levels are associated with depression.

4. Card 4

   How do hormones differ from neurotransmitters?

   Hormones travel through the bloodstream and act more slowly over a wider area, whereas neurotransmitters act quickly at the synapse between specific neurons.

5. Card 5

   What is the role of dopamine in behaviour?

   Dopamine is associated with reward, motivation and pleasure. Dysregulation of dopamine pathways is linked to conditions such as schizophrenia and addiction.

6. Card 6

   What is a twin study and why is it used in biological psychology?

   A twin study compares identical (MZ) and fraternal (DZ) twins to estimate the genetic contribution to a trait, helping researchers separate nature from nurture.

7. Card 7

   What does heritability mean in the context of psychology?

   Heritability is a statistical estimate of how much variation in a trait within a population is attributable to genetic differences rather than environmental factors.

8. Card 8

   What brain imaging technique measures blood flow to active brain regions?

   fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) detects changes in blood oxygenation to show which brain areas are active during specific tasks in real time.

9. Card 9

   What is neuroplasticity?

   Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to reorganise itself by forming new neural connections in response to learning, experience, or injury throughout life.

10. Card 10

    What is the fight-or-flight response and which hormone triggers it?

    The fight-or-flight response is a physiological reaction to threat. Adrenaline (epinephrine) is released by the adrenal glands, increasing heart rate and alertness.

11. Card 11

    What is a key strength of the biological approach as a research method?

    It uses objective, scientific methods such as brain scanning and genetic analysis, making findings measurable, replicable and less prone to researcher bias.

12. Card 12

    What is a major limitation of the biological approach in explaining behaviour?

    It can be overly reductionist, reducing complex behaviour to biology alone and ignoring cognitive, social and cultural factors that also shape human experience.

• Students often confuse hormones with neurotransmitters; remember hormones travel via the bloodstream while neurotransmitters act at the synapse.
• Many students claim twin studies prove genes fully determine behaviour, but heritability estimates show genetic influence, not genetic determinism.
• Students sometimes treat fMRI as showing thought directly; it only measures blood flow as a proxy for neural activity, not thoughts themselves.

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