lOMoARcPSD|11700591
Biological Area
The biological approach believes our behaviour to be a consequence of our genetics and physiology. It examines
thoughts, feelings and behaviour from a biological point of view. It believes psychology should be seen as a science
and should be studies in a scientific manner through the use of objective measures and objective equipment (PET,
MRI scans). It assumes that behaviour is caused by physiological processes such as brain function and hormone
levels that are ultimately dictated by genetics.
1. Principles and Concepts:
1. Behaviour is a consequence of physiology e.g. genetics and hormones
2. All thoughts, feelings and behaviour have a biological cause
3. Psychology is a science and should be studies in a scientific manner using objective methods
2. Research to Illustrate the Area:
Sperry (split brain) - Shows how altercations to the brain can change their abilities and which hemispheres are in
control of which behaviours. Shows how their behaviour had a biological cause as a split brain altered their ability to
perform certain tasks.
Casey (delay of gratification) - Looked to see whether there is a neural basis to self-regulation and showed how
behaviour remains constant as people develop. Used objective methods to study which areas of the brain are more
active in different people whilst completing go/no-go tasks.
Blakemore and Cooper (early visual experiences) - Looked at the impact that the visual environment had on cats’
brains. Showed how neurons can develop differently depending on the environment a cat grows up in and how this
can alter their behaviour.
Maguire (taxi drivers) - Illustrates how different people use different parts of their brain and how these parts can
change and develop, depending on the demand for their use. Shows that behaviour can change due to changes in the
brain. Used objective methods to measure this.
3. Strengths and Weaknesses of the Area:
Strengths Weaknesses
Scientific Low ecological validity
Useful Reductionist
Ethical Deterministic
Objective methods used Ignores environmental factors
Practical applications Focuses on nature too much
Explains causes of abnormal behaviour Develops theories that don’t apply to everyone
One strength of the biological area is that it uses lots of objective methods therefore is scientific. Casey’s research into
delay of gratification used an fMRI machine to look at the difference in brain behaviour of high and low delayers. This
is a strength because we can use these to see which parts of the brain are used the most when doing different tasks.
It can also explain why some people are low delayers and others are high delayers, offering evidence as to why they
are either one of these.
Another strength of the biological area is that it strongly supports the nature side of the nature/nurture debate.
Maguire’s research into the brains of taxi drivers demonstrated that taxi drivers had increased grey matter volume in
their right and left posterior hippocampi whereas non-taxi drivers had more in their left and right anterior hippocampi.
This is a strength because it enables us to understand what behaviour are affected by your biology, and looking at
Biological Area
The biological approach believes our behaviour to be a consequence of our genetics and physiology. It examines
thoughts, feelings and behaviour from a biological point of view. It believes psychology should be seen as a science
and should be studies in a scientific manner through the use of objective measures and objective equipment (PET,
MRI scans). It assumes that behaviour is caused by physiological processes such as brain function and hormone
levels that are ultimately dictated by genetics.
1. Principles and Concepts:
1. Behaviour is a consequence of physiology e.g. genetics and hormones
2. All thoughts, feelings and behaviour have a biological cause
3. Psychology is a science and should be studies in a scientific manner using objective methods
2. Research to Illustrate the Area:
Sperry (split brain) - Shows how altercations to the brain can change their abilities and which hemispheres are in
control of which behaviours. Shows how their behaviour had a biological cause as a split brain altered their ability to
perform certain tasks.
Casey (delay of gratification) - Looked to see whether there is a neural basis to self-regulation and showed how
behaviour remains constant as people develop. Used objective methods to study which areas of the brain are more
active in different people whilst completing go/no-go tasks.
Blakemore and Cooper (early visual experiences) - Looked at the impact that the visual environment had on cats’
brains. Showed how neurons can develop differently depending on the environment a cat grows up in and how this
can alter their behaviour.
Maguire (taxi drivers) - Illustrates how different people use different parts of their brain and how these parts can
change and develop, depending on the demand for their use. Shows that behaviour can change due to changes in the
brain. Used objective methods to measure this.
3. Strengths and Weaknesses of the Area:
Strengths Weaknesses
Scientific Low ecological validity
Useful Reductionist
Ethical Deterministic
Objective methods used Ignores environmental factors
Practical applications Focuses on nature too much
Explains causes of abnormal behaviour Develops theories that don’t apply to everyone
One strength of the biological area is that it uses lots of objective methods therefore is scientific. Casey’s research into
delay of gratification used an fMRI machine to look at the difference in brain behaviour of high and low delayers. This
is a strength because we can use these to see which parts of the brain are used the most when doing different tasks.
It can also explain why some people are low delayers and others are high delayers, offering evidence as to why they
are either one of these.
Another strength of the biological area is that it strongly supports the nature side of the nature/nurture debate.
Maguire’s research into the brains of taxi drivers demonstrated that taxi drivers had increased grey matter volume in
their right and left posterior hippocampi whereas non-taxi drivers had more in their left and right anterior hippocampi.
This is a strength because it enables us to understand what behaviour are affected by your biology, and looking at
