Perspectives in Psychology Lecturer: Elspeth Cordell

Outcomes

1. Must (OC1.1) Identify and explain the assumptions made by the biological approach in psychology

2. Should (OC 1.1) Analyse the strengths by using examples.

3. Could (OC1.2) Evaluate the weaknesses of the biological approach by using other schools of thought

The assessmentHand-out 1

• Due in: 28th October 2014• Workshop will be on :13th October 2014• Written essay • 1200 words

Last week !

• Had a quick glance at the role of biology in serial killing

• Role of the frontal lobe• We then looked at facial features• Negatives of the theory: Deterministic and

Reductionist!

• But hold on!

First we will consider the mind

• William James • “The explanation of consciousness (Mind) is the

ultimate question in psychology”• Is the mind and body separate?• Are they joined but controlled by some other

system (the soul?)• Is the mind just a manifestation of our

physicality? • Do you have a mind?

The biological school of thought:the assumptions

• The body is all we are! • 3 basic assumptions to this school of thought:1. Human behaviour can be explained by looking at biological things – Mostly the brain, but other areas like bodily functions, hormones, genetics, and evolution

Factors that can influence behaviour

• Development and maturation• Infection• Mutation I.E amygdala- leads to psychopathic tendencies (Yang and Raine, 2009)• Nutrition• Disease• Trauma• Environmental factors (includes habits)

The Brain

•

Guess the illness!Mrs Childs

Conclusion

• Mrs Childs is severely constipated, she is offered medication and within a week she is back to normal

• Bio psychologists recognise that biological functioning can significantly influence behaviours, which allows for a biological understanding of Mrs Child’s confusion and agitation.

Guess the illness 2

• Miss Smith

Miss Smith

• Miss smith suffers with a autoimmune disease: Hypothyroidism

• She has now begun medication and will be tested every 6 months to a year

• Q: how will this affect her wellbeing?

Brain Trauma:

• Phineas Gage: • http://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPAqTP7058Q

Punch-drunkMr Quarry

• Have a look at the following case and list all the behaviours that has changed

Nutrition

• Have a think in your groups about what you already know about the link of certain foods with behaviour

Conclusion of task: • Some additives cause illness• http://

www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2127437/Nuisance-child-No-sons-allergic-bread-Why-experts-think-unruly-youngsters-simply-need-change-diet.html

• Pick out the behaviour that was induced by the allergy

• However : Link of Sugar and hyperactivity?• Newspaper article: Webmd

http://www.webmd.com/parenting/features/busting-sugar-hyperactivity-myth

Genes:

• Gottesman and Shields (1966)• Schizophrenia in twins • 40 sets of twins• 48% of MZ twins (Identical) • Only 17% of DZ twins (fraternal) • Identical twins had much higher rate of illness than

fraternal. Schizophrenia is partly biological • Why were twins used?• Any issues with this study?

2

• In theory we can explain all behaviour using biological causes, Unwanted behaviour could be modified or removed using biological treatments

3

• Experimental research conducted using animals can inform us about human behaviour and biological influences, because we share a lot of similar biological makeup

Role of serotonin

The evidence against:If there is no mind then explain this!

• Separate

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YL_6OMPywnQ