Biological Approach: Assumptions
Background Information
- The Biological Approach to psychology believes that behaviour and mental processes are largely shaped by biological factors.
- The approach assumes that the brain and the nervous system, hormones, and genetics play significant roles in human behaviour.
- Central to this approach is the notion that psychological disorders can be treated medically, given their biological genesis.
Key Assumptions
- Genetics: The biological approach assumes that an individual's genetic makeup influences personality traits, intelligence, mental illness, and other psychological attributes.
- The Brain and Nervous System: This approach posits that the structure and function of the brain have a huge impact on behaviour.
- Hormones and Neurotransmitters: It also assumes that chemical imbalances within the brain, often related to hormones and neurotransmitters, can affect psychological processes and behaviour.
- Evolutionary Influence: The biological approach also gives weight to the idea that behaviours that were once advantageous for survival and reproduction have been passed down across generations.
Implications
- Biological Treatments: Given these assumptions, the biological approach often favails biological interventions such as drug therapies and surgical interventions to alter brain function or structure.
- Scientific Measurement: Due to the emphasis on biological systems, this approach utilizes precise scientific measurements, such as brain scans and genetics, to investigate behaviour.
- Deterministic View: The biological approach often adopts a deterministic view, suggesting that human behaviour is pre-set and follows a biological blueprint.
Evaluation
- Strengths of the biological approach include its scientific rigor and the practical applications that arise from understanding the biological underpinnings of behaviour.
- Weaknesses include the determinism it espouses, which undermines the role of free will and social influences on behaviour. It can also overlook individual differences as it often generalises findings from studies of the brain and behaviour.
- Ethical issues are a major concern in biological psychology, particularly regarding invasive methods and the use of animals in research.