The unconscious curriculum | what is really learnt in school?



-323850-828675Outline of Biological Approach00Outline of Biological Approach-542925-161925Specification: The biological approach: the influence of genes, biological structures and neurochemistry on behaviour. Genotype and phenotype, genetic basis of behaviour, evolution and behaviour00Specification: The biological approach: the influence of genes, biological structures and neurochemistry on behaviour. Genotype and phenotype, genetic basis of behaviour, evolution and behaviour-590549333375Assumptions: From a biological perspective, the mind lives in the brain – meaning that all thoughts, feelings and behaviour ultimately have a physical basis. Biological psychologists believe that the genes an individual possesses influence his or her behaviour. This also means that there is a belief in the process of evolution. It is believed that behaviour evolves the same way as physical characteristics through the process of evolutionary adaptation and natural selection.The central nervous system which comprises the brain and spinal cord is an important system as the brain is seen as the main focus when explaining behaviour. It is seen to be the origin of how the world is seen and acted upon by an individual.Neurochemistry is also important in explaining behaviour. Varying levels of the chemicals found both in the brain (neurotransmitters) and the body (hormones) are thought by biological psychologists to be related to an individual’s behaviour. They are believed to influence reactions to the environment. 00Assumptions: From a biological perspective, the mind lives in the brain – meaning that all thoughts, feelings and behaviour ultimately have a physical basis. Biological psychologists believe that the genes an individual possesses influence his or her behaviour. This also means that there is a belief in the process of evolution. It is believed that behaviour evolves the same way as physical characteristics through the process of evolutionary adaptation and natural selection.The central nervous system which comprises the brain and spinal cord is an important system as the brain is seen as the main focus when explaining behaviour. It is seen to be the origin of how the world is seen and acted upon by an individual.Neurochemistry is also important in explaining behaviour. Varying levels of the chemicals found both in the brain (neurotransmitters) and the body (hormones) are thought by biological psychologists to be related to an individual’s behaviour. They are believed to influence reactions to the environment. -5905506648450Twin Studies: Twin studies are used to determine the likelihood that certain traits have a genetic basis by comparing the concordance rate (the likelihood of both twins having the disorder) between identical and non-identical twins. If an identical (monozygotic – MZ) twin is found to have a higher concordance rate than non-identical (dizygotic – DZ) twin for musical ability, schizophrenia, love of romantic films etc. this would suggest a genetic basis.This is because MZ twins share 100% of each other’s genes, whilst DZ twins share about 50% (the same as siblings). 00Twin Studies: Twin studies are used to determine the likelihood that certain traits have a genetic basis by comparing the concordance rate (the likelihood of both twins having the disorder) between identical and non-identical twins. If an identical (monozygotic – MZ) twin is found to have a higher concordance rate than non-identical (dizygotic – DZ) twin for musical ability, schizophrenia, love of romantic films etc. this would suggest a genetic basis.This is because MZ twins share 100% of each other’s genes, whilst DZ twins share about 50% (the same as siblings). -6096014105275The Genetic Basis of Behaviour:Biological psychologists believe that the genes an individual possess influence his/her behaviour. Each individual is typically born with 23 pairs of chromosomes which have been inherited from their birth parents. These are our genotype and form the basis for our behaviour. Biological psychologists believe our genes carry instructions for particular characteristics such as intelligence, personality and mental disorders. How these characteristics develop depends partly on the interaction with other genes and the environment. 00The Genetic Basis of Behaviour:Biological psychologists believe that the genes an individual possess influence his/her behaviour. Each individual is typically born with 23 pairs of chromosomes which have been inherited from their birth parents. These are our genotype and form the basis for our behaviour. Biological psychologists believe our genes carry instructions for particular characteristics such as intelligence, personality and mental disorders. How these characteristics develop depends partly on the interaction with other genes and the environment. 46577256648450005715000421005100-704850-819150Genotype and Phenotype:The genotype is an individual’s actual genetic make-up which occurs at conception and provides the genetic code for how that individual will develop. The genotype dictates such characteristics as eye and hair colour.The phenotype of an individual is the product of what happens when the genotype interacts with the environment. It is the way the genes are expressed. E.g. with a physical characteristic such as height the genotype dictates the maximum height an individual can reach but environmental factors such as nutrition will affect how likely the person is to achieve their potential height.Hair is another good example. An individual's genes determines whether or not they have hair on their head, but how long this hair remains depends on environmental factors, such as excess sunlight, chemicals used on the head, or poor diet. This shows that phenotype is influenced by the environmentThis is the same for psychological characteristics in that there may be a genetic predisposition to a behaviour but it may not express itself due to the environment which inhibits its development. This illustrates what many biological psychologists would accept, that much of human behaviour depends upon an interaction between inherited factors (nature) and the environment (nurture).00Genotype and Phenotype:The genotype is an individual’s actual genetic make-up which occurs at conception and provides the genetic code for how that individual will develop. The genotype dictates such characteristics as eye and hair colour.The phenotype of an individual is the product of what happens when the genotype interacts with the environment. It is the way the genes are expressed. E.g. with a physical characteristic such as height the genotype dictates the maximum height an individual can reach but environmental factors such as nutrition will affect how likely the person is to achieve their potential height.Hair is another good example. An individual's genes determines whether or not they have hair on their head, but how long this hair remains depends on environmental factors, such as excess sunlight, chemicals used on the head, or poor diet. This shows that phenotype is influenced by the environmentThis is the same for psychological characteristics in that there may be a genetic predisposition to a behaviour but it may not express itself due to the environment which inhibits its development. This illustrates what many biological psychologists would accept, that much of human behaviour depends upon an interaction between inherited factors (nature) and the environment (nurture).-6953256724650The influence of Neurochemistry on behaviour:Neurochemistry is the biochemistry of the central nervoussystem. Hormones are the chemicals which travel through the blood.However in the brain, the transmission of chemicals is via the cerebral fluid. These chemicals are called neurotransmitters and are seen to be important by biological psychologists as they are thought to affect behaviour.An example of this is that high levels of a neurotransmitter called dopamine are related to schizophrenia, (we will look at this more in biopsychology)00The influence of Neurochemistry on behaviour:Neurochemistry is the biochemistry of the central nervoussystem. Hormones are the chemicals which travel through the blood.However in the brain, the transmission of chemicals is via the cerebral fluid. These chemicals are called neurotransmitters and are seen to be important by biological psychologists as they are thought to affect behaviour.An example of this is that high levels of a neurotransmitter called dopamine are related to schizophrenia, (we will look at this more in biopsychology)44100756762750003648075396240000-7048503943350Evolution and behaviour: Biological psychologists would argue certain humanbehaviours and physical characteristics exist because they are adaptive (aid survival). For example, aggression can be seen as an adaptivebehaviour. This is because at some point aggressionwill have been advantageous for our ancestors. This may be because aggression creates protection for the family and resources. This trait will be seen as attractive to the opposite sex therefore making the likelihood of passing on the gene much greater. Over time the aggression gene will become more widespread. Therefore certain behaviours have evolved because they are adaptive.00Evolution and behaviour: Biological psychologists would argue certain humanbehaviours and physical characteristics exist because they are adaptive (aid survival). For example, aggression can be seen as an adaptivebehaviour. This is because at some point aggressionwill have been advantageous for our ancestors. This may be because aggression creates protection for the family and resources. This trait will be seen as attractive to the opposite sex therefore making the likelihood of passing on the gene much greater. Over time the aggression gene will become more widespread. Therefore certain behaviours have evolved because they are adaptive.433387520891500right-635Remember: As with ALL the approaches, only learn the 3 or 4 evaluation points you understand the most for AS and leave the rest until 2nd year.Task: Highlight strengths & weaknesses:0Remember: As with ALL the approaches, only learn the 3 or 4 evaluation points you understand the most for AS and leave the rest until 2nd year.Task: Highlight strengths & weaknesses:-781050-838200Evaluation of Biological Approach00Evaluation of Biological Approach-666750371475The biological approach adopts scientific methods for investigation using measures which are largely objective (not subject to opinion) such as brain scanning and measuring biochemical levels. It is possible to accurately measure biological and neural processes in ways not open to bias therefore supporting the biological approach as it is based on reliable data.It is one the strongest supporters of the nature perspective in the nature-nurture debate as it argues for genetic influence on behaviour. However, what the biological approach does not take into account is that twins and family members are exposed to the same environment. This means that findings could just as easily be interpreted as supporting nurture rather than nature as it could be that the behaviour has been learned through the environment rather shared through genes.A real strength of the biological approach is its real-world application. Increased understanding of biochemical processes in the brain has led to the development of psychoactive drugs that treat serious mental illnesses such as depression (anti-depressants increase serotonin production). Although these drugs are not effective in all patients, they are revolutionised treatment for many. This is a strength of the biological approach as it means that sufferers are able to manage their condition and live relatively normal life, rather than remain in hospital. It is argued some of the explanations are too simplistic and do not do the complexity of human behaviour justice. This means they are reductionist as they can often fail to acknowledge the role of the environment in behaviour. The biological approach is determinist in the sense that it sees human behaviour as governed by internal, biological causes over which we have no control. This is a criticism of the biological approach as it says we are purely governed by our genetics and don’t have any control over our behaviour which is untrue. 00The biological approach adopts scientific methods for investigation using measures which are largely objective (not subject to opinion) such as brain scanning and measuring biochemical levels. It is possible to accurately measure biological and neural processes in ways not open to bias therefore supporting the biological approach as it is based on reliable data.It is one the strongest supporters of the nature perspective in the nature-nurture debate as it argues for genetic influence on behaviour. However, what the biological approach does not take into account is that twins and family members are exposed to the same environment. This means that findings could just as easily be interpreted as supporting nurture rather than nature as it could be that the behaviour has been learned through the environment rather shared through genes.A real strength of the biological approach is its real-world application. Increased understanding of biochemical processes in the brain has led to the development of psychoactive drugs that treat serious mental illnesses such as depression (anti-depressants increase serotonin production). Although these drugs are not effective in all patients, they are revolutionised treatment for many. This is a strength of the biological approach as it means that sufferers are able to manage their condition and live relatively normal life, rather than remain in hospital. It is argued some of the explanations are too simplistic and do not do the complexity of human behaviour justice. This means they are reductionist as they can often fail to acknowledge the role of the environment in behaviour. The biological approach is determinist in the sense that it sees human behaviour as governed by internal, biological causes over which we have no control. This is a criticism of the biological approach as it says we are purely governed by our genetics and don’t have any control over our behaviour which is untrue. ................
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