Key Takeaways: Biological Bases for Behavior. Check out our full Biological Bases for Behavior Notes! Key Takeaways: Biological Bases for Behavior All human and animal behavior is a product of biological structures and processes, highly organized on multiple interconnected levels.
Understanding these biological precursors of behavior can lead to treatments for psychological disorders, such as drugs that influence neurotransmitter function. The endocrine system is a slower-acting communication system that regulates the circulation of hormones , released by glands into the bloodstream.
For example, cortisol and adrenaline are key hormones that facilitate the fight or flight response , a key evolutionary survival mechanism whereby the body primes itself for imminent danger e. Animal studies — used to investigate biological mechanisms that govern human behaviour, often where ethical guidelines would not allow human participation.
Many species e. However, this methodology still raises ethical debate, and some argue that complex human behaviour cannot be replicated in non-human animals like rats, and thus cannot be investigated. Case studies — can investigate normal behaviour by observing behavioural abnormality alongside corresponding changes in biology. Initial phases of research are usually conducted on non-humans. Scans — physiology and activity across the brain can be gauged using various techniques e.
For instance, research can investigate the likelihood that both of two twins develop a characteristic, known as a concordance rate. However, these studies can be time-consuming, due to long delays often required before follow-up data is collected.
It is also difficult finding a large samples of participants for twin studies. Such findings support that genetics play a significant part in the disorder. The procedure is based on the principle that the brain requires energy to function and that the regions more involved in the performance of a task will use up more energy. What the scan, therefore, enables researchers to do is to provide ongoing pictures of the brain as it engages in mental activity.
These and other methods for producing images of brain structure and functioning have been extensively used to study language and PET scans, in particular, are producing evidence that suggests that the Wernicke-Gerschwind model may not after all be the answer to the question of how language is possible.
Theories within the biological approach support nature over nurture. However, it is limiting to describe behavior solely in terms of either nature or nurture, and attempts to do this underestimate the complexity of human behavior. It is more likely that behavior is due to an interaction between nature biology and nurture environment. For example, individuals may be predisposed to certain behaviors, but these behaviors may not be displayed unless they are triggered by factors in the environment.
A strength of the biological approach is that it provides clear predictions, for example, about the effects of neurotransmitters , or the behaviors of people who are genetically related. A limitation is that most biological explanations are reductionist , as it reduces behavior to the outcome of genes and other biological processes, neglecting the effects of childhood and our social and cultural environment.
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Barkow, L. Tooby Eds. New York: Oxford University Press. Toggle navigation.
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