AQA Psychology (A-Level) - Approaches - The Biological Approach

Terms in this set (13)

What does the influence of genes on our behaviour cover?
Genetic inheritance and genotypes and phenotypes
What does the influence of biological structures cover?
Neurons and the nervous system and the brain
What does the influence of neurochemistry on behavior cover?
Neurotransmitters and hormones
What does the influence of evolution on behavior cover?
Darwin's evolutionary theory
Genetic inheritance
We have 50% of our mother's genes and 50% of our father's genes, explaining why we may share physical and psychological characteristics with parents. Elicits the nature and nurture debate.
Genotype
The genetic code written into the DNA of individual cells
Phenotype
The physical appearance of the genetic code on the individual
Neurons
Transmit impulses in the form of electrical signals.
Nervous system
The CNS and the PNS; carries messages from one part of our bodies to another using nerve cells (neurons).
The brain
The largest part is the Cerebrum (85% of its mass); it is divided into two halves (hemispheres), each further divided into four different parts (lobes).
Neurotransmitters
A chemical released when an electrical nerve impulse reaches the end of a neuron. They travel across neuron junctions (synapses) and can be excitatory and inhibitory
Hormones
Chemicals secreted by the endocrine glands; the presence causes a physiological reaction in a cell, altering its activity.
Evolutionary theory
Darwin put forth that organisms become adapted over time to their environment by a process called natural selection.
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