10 Questions
What is a weakness of the biological approach according to the text?
It only considers nature and ignores environmental factors
Why is the biological approach considered reductionist in the text?
It takes away the free will of people and labels them based on their biological make up
What does Raine's study on the criminal brain suggest about the biological approach?
It unfairly assumes that individuals with a 'criminal brain' will become criminals
Why is the nomothetic nature of the biological approach considered a strength according to the text?
It allows for scientific generalization to other people, making it externally valid
What are the strengths of the biological approach?
It is testable, replicable, and measurable
How did Raine's study demonstrate the scientific nature of the biological approach?
It used PET scans to study criminal brains and matched participants by age, sex, and mental illness
What is an example of a successful application of the biological approach mentioned in the text?
Drug therapy using placebos
According to the biological approach, what is the cause of disorders such as schizophrenia?
Purely biological factors
Which term best describes the biological approach's view on the causes of depression?
Primarily genetic
What social benefit does the biological approach's successful applications provide?
Enabling individuals with mental disorders to lead normal lives with normal relationships
Study Notes
Weaknesses of the Biological Approach
- One weakness of the biological approach is that it is considered reductionist, as it attributes behavior solely to biological factors, neglecting other possible influences.
Raine's Study on the Criminal Brain
- Raine's study suggests that the biological approach can be successful in explaining certain behaviors, as it found a correlation between abnormalities in the brain and criminal behavior.
Strengths of the Biological Approach
- The nomothetic nature of the biological approach, which allows for the formulation of universal laws and principles, is considered a strength.
- The biological approach is scientific in nature, as demonstrated by Raine's study, which used empirical methods to investigate the relationship between the brain and behavior.
Successful Applications of the Biological Approach
- The biological approach has been successfully applied in the field of psychopharmacology, leading to the development of treatments for disorders such as schizophrenia.
Causes of Disorders According to the Biological Approach
- According to the biological approach, disorders such as schizophrenia are caused by biological factors, such as genetics or brain chemistry.
View on the Causes of Depression
- The biological approach views depression as having a biological basis, such as a chemical imbalance.
Social Benefits of the Biological Approach
- The successful applications of the biological approach provide a social benefit by improving the treatment and understanding of mental health disorders, ultimately improving the quality of life for individuals and society as a whole.
Test your knowledge on the scientific aspects of the biological approach in psychology, including its testability, replicability, and measurement. Explore examples such as Raine's study on criminal brains and PET scans.
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