Ao2 Psychological approaches to health
Biological influences – of genetic predisposition, the roles of neurotransmitter imbalances.
Behaviourist approaches – the role of cues, positive reinforcement and negative
reinforcement to explain healthy and unhealthy behaviours; using operant conditioning to
encourage and incentivise behaviour.
Social learning approach – effects of parental and peer role models on healthy and
unhealthy behaviours; role models in health education.
Cognitive approach – decisions to engage in behaviours to provide relief from stress,
anxiety, boredom or to mitigate impacts of other health problems, resolving cognitive
dissonance for behaviour change, professional biases in diagnoses and treatments.
, Biological approach
● Genes play a role in addictive behaviour and Slight differences between genes are called variants and cause
individuals to have distinct characteristics
Genetic predisposition
● Certain gene variants occur more often in people who experience addiction
● This means, a person who has one of these gene variants is at greater risk for developing an addiction than
someone who doesn’t ie. they have a genetic predisposition to addiction
● Scientists estimate genes account for roughly half a person’s likelihood of developing an addiction
neurotransmitter imbalances
● NEUROTRANSMITTERS are chemicals in the brain which transmit messages, which influence our behaviour
● SEROTONIN influences our mood (how happy and motivated we are).
● Low levels are linked to depression (low mood, unhappy, unmotivated).
● Antidepressants increase serotonin levels in the brain which improves mood.
● Dopamin- the brain reward chemical (apart of the brain's reward system- influences whether we repeat behaviours)
● Drugs, gambling and shopping hijack the reward system - they make people feel GREAT, therefore are very
addictive!
Biological influences – of genetic predisposition, the roles of neurotransmitter imbalances.
Behaviourist approaches – the role of cues, positive reinforcement and negative
reinforcement to explain healthy and unhealthy behaviours; using operant conditioning to
encourage and incentivise behaviour.
Social learning approach – effects of parental and peer role models on healthy and
unhealthy behaviours; role models in health education.
Cognitive approach – decisions to engage in behaviours to provide relief from stress,
anxiety, boredom or to mitigate impacts of other health problems, resolving cognitive
dissonance for behaviour change, professional biases in diagnoses and treatments.
, Biological approach
● Genes play a role in addictive behaviour and Slight differences between genes are called variants and cause
individuals to have distinct characteristics
Genetic predisposition
● Certain gene variants occur more often in people who experience addiction
● This means, a person who has one of these gene variants is at greater risk for developing an addiction than
someone who doesn’t ie. they have a genetic predisposition to addiction
● Scientists estimate genes account for roughly half a person’s likelihood of developing an addiction
neurotransmitter imbalances
● NEUROTRANSMITTERS are chemicals in the brain which transmit messages, which influence our behaviour
● SEROTONIN influences our mood (how happy and motivated we are).
● Low levels are linked to depression (low mood, unhappy, unmotivated).
● Antidepressants increase serotonin levels in the brain which improves mood.
● Dopamin- the brain reward chemical (apart of the brain's reward system- influences whether we repeat behaviours)
● Drugs, gambling and shopping hijack the reward system - they make people feel GREAT, therefore are very
addictive!
