Use this alongside the following essential reading: Flanagan et al.

(2015) pages 8 – 27; Psychology AS WJEC (2008) by Flanagan et al. pg 3 – 16; Eysenck. M and Flanagan. (2001)“Psychology for A2
Biological Approach Level”. Psychology Press: USA pages 768 – 771. Gross. R (2005) “Psychology: The science of Mind and Behaviour”. Hodder: London pages 25 – 27.
science of Mind and Behaviour”. Hodder: London pages 25 – 27.
Assumptions How the assumptions apply to drug therapy Evaluation of drug therapy
EVOLUTIONARY INFLUENCES The biological approach assumes that EFFECTIVENESS
The theory of evolution has been used to explain how the human mind and behaviour have psychological disorders such as Drugs versus placebo: Randomised control trails are typically used to compare the effectiveness
changed over millions of years. depression, anxiety and schizophrenia of the drug versus a placebo. Soomro et al (2008) reviewed 17 studies of the use of SRRIs with
Theory of natural selection: Based on Darwin’s theory of natural selection: this is the idea have a physiological cause. The OCD and patients found them to be more useful than placebos in reducing symptoms after 3
that any genetically determined behaviour increases chances of survival. This takes place at approach to therapy is known as the months (short term). However, the short term element of this study and others is an issue
the level of genes. An example of this is altruistic behaviour where parents risk their lives to medical model – based on the view regarding the evaluation of this treatment.
save offspring which enhances the survival of that gene pool. that mental and physical illnesses are Side effects: Although effective, many have serious side effects. For example, nausea, headaches
and insomnia are common side effects of SRRIs. Sometimes are enough to make someone stop
EEA (Environment of Evolutionary Adaptiveness) This is the environment to which a species alike. This model recommends a
taking the drug. Tricyclic antidepressants tend to have more serious side effects (e.g.
is adapted and the pressures that existed at the time. Not all forms of behaviour are patient should be treated for their mental illness through direct
hallucinations and irregular heartbeat) so are only used when SRRIs are not effective.
assumed to be adaptive – only ones that will ensure survival. E.g. those better at forming manipulation of their physical bodily processes, e.g. drug therapy.
Symptoms not cause: A criticism is that they treat the symptoms but not the underlying cause. It
good relationships are more likely to survive in a complex social world. Therefore genes for might work in the short term, but in the long term the disorder will not be dealt with. This is
these behaviours are passed on. A 2nd assumption is that changes in the brain’s neurotransmitter known as ‘revolving door syndrome’ where the patient goes back and forth to the doctor and the
LOCALISATION OF BRAIN FUNCTION systems will affect mood, feelings, perceptions and behaviours. This disorder is never really cured.
Certain areas of the brain are responsible for different functions. approach suggests that therapeutic drugs can be used to alter the Comparison with other treatments: Drug therapy is cheap for the patient and in the UK will be
The cerebral cortex is responsible for higher order cognitive action of neurotransmitters and treat the disorder. Drug therapies prescribed on the NHS. Less time would need to be invested in the patient as they would only
functions and is divided into four sections: frontal, parietal, operate by increasing or blocking the action of neurotransmitters in need to meet with the practitioner every couple of months after the initial consultation. This is to
temporal and occipital. Frontal lobes for thinking, creativity and the brain which will influence our emotions, thoughts and actions. discuss whether the drugs are having a positive effect and whether the patient is making progress.
linked to personality. Parietal lobes for sensory information. Temporal lobes for memory The therapy is efficient and easy to administer in comparison to other forms of therapy.
and processing auditory information. Occipital lobes for visual processing and receiving A 3rd assumption is that of localisation of brain function. Drugs target ETHICAL ISSUES
information directly from the eyes. regions of the brain which are involved in psychological disorder. For Use of placebos: The first issue is related to studying the effectiveness of drugs. No patient should
There are specific areas of the brain linked to language. Understanding of this dates back to example, the limbic system regulates emotions, and disturbances in be given treatment if it is known to be inferior. If effective treatments exist they should be used as
the 19th Century when French neurosurgeon Paul Broca studies 8 patients with language this part of the brain may affect mood. the control condition when new treatments are tested. Substituting a placebo for an effective
problems. After their death he examined their brains and found damage to the left Main components (principles) of drug therapy treatment does not satisfy this duty.
hemisphere, now named ‘Broca’s area’ and is associated with speech production. Patient information: Another issue is of valid consent, or lack of it. Many patients will find it
There are 3 main types of psychoactive drugs:
difficult to remember all of the facts relating to possible side effects, or may not be in the right
NEUROTRANSMITTERS Antipsychotic drugs: Treat psychotic mental disorders such as
frame of mind to digest the info. Truly valid consent is an illusion. Also, medical professionals may
Neurons are electrically excitable cells that form the basis of the nervous schizophrenia. Suffers of this type of disorder has lost touch with withhold some information about the drugs or exaggerate the benefits of taking the medication.
system. The flexibility of the nervous system is enhanced by having branches reality and have little insight into their condition. Conventional
at the end of each neuron (called dendrites) so each can connect with other neurons. They antipsychotics are used to combat the positive symptoms of Evaluation of the biological approach .
communicate at synapses where the message is relayed by neurotransmitters. schizophrenia (e.g. delusions and hallucinations). The drugs block the  Scientific approach – Biological explanations have clear variables that can be measured,
Neurotransmitters play a significant role in mental health. Serotonin plays a role in our tracked and examined. This enables psychologists to conduct scientific research. E.g. Research on
action of dopamine by binding to, but not stimulating, dopamine
drug therapy has investigated the links between psychoactive drugs and production of certain
mood, sleep and appetite. Too little has been found in those suffering with depression. receptors.
neurotransmitters, and linked this to behaviour. This fulfils the aims of scientific research – to
High levels of dopamine have been linked with schizophrenia. This is supported by the fact Atypical antipsychotic drugs act by only temporarily occupying conduct objective and well-controlled studies to demonstrate causal relationships. A strength of
that drugs that block dopamine activity reduce schizophrenic symptoms. dopamine receptors and then rapidly dissociating to allow normal this approach is that it lends itself to scientific research that can be used to support biological
Biological explanation for relationship formation dopamine transmission. This might explain why they have lower levels explanations.
Evolutionary theory: Relationships form with individuals who possess certain traits. Traits of side effects compared with conventional anti-psychotics.  Determinist approach – If we know what ‘predetermines’ our behaviour, we are more likely to
that enhance successful reproduction are naturally selected. Males & females experience be able to treat those with behavioukr seen abnormal. Psychologists seek to understand the
different selective pressures. Males look for more fertile (young) & healthy women. Antidepressant drugs: Depression is thought to be due to insufficient functioning of neurotransmitters so normal and abnormal levels can be compared. E.g. Dopamine
Females seek signs of fertility & healthiness in a partner & someone who can produce amounts of neurotransmitters such as serotonin being produced in is linked with schizophrenia and drugs used to treat this are known to reduce dopamine levels,
resources needed for offspring to survive (e.g. food, shelter). nerve endings. Anti-depressants work by reducing the rate of suggesting high levels of dopamine cause the symptoms. A strength of this approach is that it
Parental investment theory (PIT) (Trivers, 1972) offers an explanation about why certain absorption or blocking the enzyme that breaks down the provides explanations for causes of behaviour which can be used to improve people’s lives.
relationships are formed, e.g. between younger women and older men. According to PIT, as neurotransmitters. Both increase the amount of neurotransmitter  Successful applications – It has led to many successful applications. E.g. research into the
female mammals invest more in their offspring (e.g. carry the baby), they must be choosier available to excite neighbouring cells. The most commonly prescribes relationship between abnormal levels of neurotransmitters and criminal behaviour has
in finding a partner, hence will seek the male that can provide the most resources. are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SRRIs) such as Prozac. They implications for offering pharmacological treatments to criminals, leading to lower recidivism
rates. It has also led to treatment for mental disorders, such as drug therapy and psychosurgery.
Neurotransmitters: Chemicals in brain have a powerful impact on emotions and therefore block the transporter mechanism that reabsorbs serotonin into the
influence our perceptions of others. E.g. dopamine is associated with pleasure and reward- presynaptic cell after it has fired. As a result, more serotonin is left in
 Reductionist approach – Reduces complex behaviours to a set of simple explanations e.g.
driven behaviour, so setting the goal of finding a partner, and being driven to achieve this, the synapse which prolongs its activity and making the transmission of reducing the experience of stress to the action of adrenaline. Reductionism is a part of
will give us a ‘hit’ of dopamine. Thus relationships give us a natural ‘high’ so are desirable. the next impulse easier. understanding how systems work but in that process we may lose a real understanding of the
High levels of oxytocin are linked to romantic attachment. Lack of physical contact with thing being investigated. This means that a simplified explanation may prevent us reaching a true
one’s partner will reduce the levels of oxytocin, leading to feelings of longing to bond with Antianxiety drugs: The group of drugs most commonly used to treat understanding of the target behaviour.
one’s partner again. We have a natural chemical drive to bond with others which would anxiety and stress are benzodiazepines (BZs). They are sold under  Nature rather than nurture – Mental illness has multiple causes but this approach only focuses
explain why we form relationships, specifically romantic ones. various names and slow down the activity of the central nervous on biology (nature) and ignores life experiences (nurture) and psychological factors e.g. how
E.g. explaining the formation of sibling relationships: Kin selection – traits that enhance system. They enhance the activity of GABA which is the body’s natural people think and feel. The biological approach to treatment is concerned with adjusting abnormal
the survival of those with similar genes. We have a natural incentive to look after our form of anxiety relief. Beta-blockers (BBs) are also used to reduce biological systems rather than talking to patients about how they feel.
siblings, and to invest time, energy and other resources into ensuring they are protected anxiety. They reduce the levels of adrenaline and noradrenaline which  Individual differences – It is a nomothetic approach which looks to make generalisations about
and healthy. are part of the response to stress. The receptors they bond to result in people and find similarities. It tends to ignore differences between individuals. Research often
a fall in blood pressure and therefore less stress on the heart so the only focuses on a few individuals and assumes that everyone’s biological systems behave in the
(NB – at A level you are required to apply the assumptions to a variety of behaviours e.g. person feels calmer and less anxious. same way. Biological research is based more on males rather than females participants (both
animals and humans) as female hormone cycles may interfere with research. Such research could
stress, crime).
produce an erroneous picture of behaviour: one with a male bias.
Possible Exam Questions:
 Describe two assumptions of the biological approach (8).
 Explain the biological assumption ‘localisation of brain function’ (4).
 Describe the formation of one relationship using one assumption of the biological approach (3).
 Describe how the assumptions of the biological approach are applied in one therapy (6).
 Describe two components (principles) of drug therapy (8).
 Evaluate the ethical issues raised in drug therapy (8).
 Evaluate the effectiveness of drug therapy (8).
 Discuss two or more weaknesses of the biological approach (8).
 Evaluate one strength and one weakness of the biological approach (6).
 ‘At first you might think that the biological and behaviourist approaches are very different, but there are quite a few similarities.’ Compare and contrast the
biological and behaviourist approaches (8).
 ‘The biological approach offers both strengths and weaknesses’. Evaluate the biological approach in psychology (10).