The Biological Perspective

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Introduction

The focus of this perspective is the interaction between the physiological and psychological factors that contribute to behaviour. Changes in behaviour can arise from an interaction of dispositional and environmental factors. Research has frequently, but not exclusively, used the experimental method. Key issues that are relevant to the biological perspective include criticisms that it often involves a reductionist approach and that behaviour exhibited by non-human animals is not always relevant to humans. In this unit students will evaluate the relevance of this perspective to modern psychology.

Objectives of the Unit:

  • Describe and evaluate the cultural context and development, the conceptual framework, the methodology, and the application of the biomedical model.
  • Describe and evaluate theories and empirical studies within this perspective.
  • Explain how cultural, ethical, gender, and methodological considerations affect the interpretation of behaviour from a biological perspective.
  • Compare theories, empirical studies and the conceptual framework of this model with the other perspectives.
  • Identify and explain the strengths and limitations of biological explanations of behaviour.
  • Explain the extent to which free will and determinism are integral in this perspective.
  • Explain and evaluate claims that correlates exist between physiological and psychological behaviour.
  • Discuss controversies surrounding a reductionist approach, as adopted by many biological psychologists.
Content:
Historical Development and Cultural Context
Application
    • A long history of interest in mind-body dilemma
    • The influence of Darwin
    • The development of genetics and scanning technology
    • Paradigm shift toward the scientific method
    • Drug therapy in treatment of schizophrenia
    • Stress management
Key Concepts
Methodology
    • Diathesis stress model
    • Heredity
    • Neurotransmission
    • Localization vs. lateralization

     
  • Correlational Studies
  • Quasi-Experiments & Natural Experiments
  • Twin research (a type of correlational research)
  • Experimentation
  • Lab research vs. naturalistic research
  • Reliability and validity of research
  • Ethical considerations
Basic Assumptions
Strengths and weaknesses
  • All that is psychological is first physiological; behaviour is biologically determined.
  • Human genes have evolved over millions of years to adapt behavior to the environment. Therefore, much behaviour has a genetic basis.
  • Psychology should investigate the brain, nervous system, endocrine system, neurochemistry, and genes.
  • Animals may be studied as a means of understanding human behaviour.
  • The approach is very scientific, and thus is reliable.
  • Practical applications have been extremely effective.
  • Reductionist - Bio-psychological theories often over-simplify the huge complexity of physical systems and their interaction with the environment.
  • It has not explained how mind and body interact - consciousness and emotion are difficult to study objectively.
Theorists to know: Pierre-Paul Broca, Flourens and Lashley, Fred Gage, Joe Martinez, Simon LeVay, W. Greenough, Saul Schanberg, E Roy John, Tiffany Field, David Buss

Fundamentals of the Perspective: Study guides and websites for further research

Evolution and sexuality

Genetics

The Brain

Neurotransmission and the Nervous System

 

 

General topics - applications and explanations

Online videos to develop your understanding