What is it? >The influence of genes, biological structures and neurochemistry on behaviour. >The approach suggests that everything psychological is at first biological, so to understand human behaviour we must look at biological structures and processes within the body. >Understanding the brain structure can help our understanding of human behaviour. >The approach says the mind lives in the brain - so all thoughts, feelings and behaviour are a physical basis > this is different to how the cognitive approach sees it > they suggests that the mental processes are separate to the physical brain. The genetic basis of behaviour: - study whether behavioural characteristics (intelligence/personality/mental disorders) are inherited in the same way as physical characteristics (height/eye colour) -Identical twins = Monozygotic -Non-identical twins = Dizygotic (Monozygotic have higher correspondence rates because they share 100 percent of each others genes) Genotype and Phenotype: Genotype = a persons actual genetic make-up Phenotype = the way in which the genes are expressed through physical, behavioural and psychological characteristics The genotype is influenced by environmental factors in the way it is expressed (phenotype). For example, identical twins may have exactly the same genes, but if one exercises more then they are going to look different Evolution and behaviour: - the evolution of plants and animal is a fact. -in the 19th century Charles Darwin proposed a theory to explain this fact! (Darwin 1859) > book called: On the Origin of Species -His theory was the theory of NATURAL SELECTION -What did his theory say? > any genetically determined behaviour than enhances survival will continue in future generations (it will be naturally selected) The selection occurs because some traits give the possessor certain advantages. With better traits the animal is more likely to survive. if the individual survives but does not reproduce then the traits do not remain in the gene pool. Reproduction is key! (its a bit like a farmer selecting animals who have the most desirable characteristics) > a specie may have different characteristics depending on the environment it has grown up in > Darwin says our characteristics are suited to our particular environment - one specie does not just have a generic set of characteristics SPECIES ARE SPECIALLY MODIFIED TO THEIR ENVIRONMENTS! (The theory is explained in more detail here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/aqa_pre_2011/evolution/evolutionrev1.shtml)
Evaluation of the Biological approach: Scientific methods of investigation> -able to measure in ways that are not bias -based on reliable data Real-life application> -understanding the brain has lead to drugs to help mental illnesses such as depression > the approach has practical uses!
Pedagogy: 1) ask students to mind map everything that spring to mind when I say Biological approach to Psychology. What do they think it's about? What do they already know if anything? (starter - surface learning) 2) As a class come together and define the Biological approach, I will ensure the definition is correct and thus draw students to certain answers (scaffolding) 3) Behaviourist geneticists : - ask students to jot down what they think they inherited from their parents (individual task) -ask students to draw both types of twins (monozygotic and dizygotic) making notes about the differences between the two (poster form) 4) Genotype and Phenotype - give a case study of two identical twins, one of which that has worked out and been the to the gym, the other large in weight - ask students what is going on? Group discussions to try explain 5) Charles Darwin and natural selection - begin by showing a video of a farmer selecting his best animals to breed - ask students what is going on? - print off the information off bbc bite size and ask students to work through the sheet in groups highlight important info. -Create a grid for students to fill in with the most important information about the theory -Come back as a group and ask one student to stand at the front and teach the theory to everyone else 6) Evaluation - group debate for arguments for and against the approach
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/aqa_pre_2011/evolution/evolutionrev1.shtml AQA Psychology text book > useful for tasks and questions