The contribution of a biological perspective to our understanding of behaviour.

Describe the contribution of a biological perspective to our understanding of behaviour by drawing on examples from Book 1, Chapters 4 and/or 5.

Part 1: Essay

This essay will attempt to describe the contribution a biological perspective has to our understanding of behaviour, thus helping us to have a better understanding of some aspects of psychology. I will begin by examining how the study of biological processes, particularly the nervous system (including the brain) and genetics has provided much relevant information for the study of psychology. I will look at the contribution made by biological psychology, with reference to how biology is helpful in understanding psychological conditions such as depression, and how the individual differences approach can shed light on our personalities. I will draw from examples in Book 1, Chapters 4 and 5.

In considering the contribution made by biological explanations, I feel it is also necessary to say that knowledge about biological processes, if considered in isolation, can be somehow limited in providing conclusive psychological explanations. To evaluate the contribution of the role of biological knowledge in supporting psychological explanations, it is also necessary to acknowledge that environmental influences has a part to play, and the relationship between the tow of these is largely a reciprocal one.

An understanding of biological processes can begin to explain how the functioning of the brain and nervous system, can lead to specific behaviours. Technology is now so advanced that it allows for the brain to be scanned, using Positron Emission Tomography (PET), a non-invasive imaging technique, while the participant undergoes certain tasks, such as clenching a fist or recalling memories. The region of brain involved can be seen to be active on the scan. This area of biology can make a valuable contribution to our understanding of certain behaviours, as it allows comparisons to be made between different participants. It is possible for large amounts of data to be gathered so that links can be made between the task in question and brain activity. PET can also look at malfunction in the brain – for example, low activity in a region could explain memory loss (Toates, 2002 p227) and scans of the brains of violent criminals compared with a controlled group, have revealed they often have under active frontal lobes, said to control restraint (Toates, 2002 p270).

One of the most famous cases of accidental brain damage has been that of railway worker, Phineas Gage, in 1848 (Toates, 2002). Gage suffered a dramatic injury as a large piece of tamping iron had blown right through the frontal lobe section of his brain. Remarkably, Gage survived but his personality was subsequently changed very significantly. Brain imaging can therefore be seen as having huge potential for allowing psychologists to link differences in brain structure and activity with behaviour.

An excellent example of how a biological explanation can contribute to our understanding of behaviour is to ...

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An excellent example of how a biological explanation can contribute to our understanding of behaviour is to look at the causes and treatment of depression. Depression is believed, by some to have a genetic origin (Toates, 2002). But research shows that the cause is usually of both biological and environmental origin. A genetic weakness to depression is believed to take the form of imbalances in neurotransmitters and other chemicals involved in the function of the brain. The neurotransmitter imbalances lead to the symptoms of depression. These biological explanations have enabled effective anti-depressant drugs to be designed. It’s thought that a person’s genes may create a susceptibility to depression but the condition may not manifest itself without the presence of traumatic life events. This aspect of depression is often dealt with using psychotherapy and counselling. Thus, the knowledge that depression is usually caused by both biological and environmental factors enables appropriate treatment to cover both areas, giving a better chance of recovery. Biological knowledge has thus given a much greater understanding to this area of psychology, leading to increased knowledge of the causes and treatment of depression.

The biological perspective also makes a contribution to our understanding of the effects of nature on personality by identifying its biological and genetical basis. It is our genes, which are the determining factor in making us ‘who we are’. Within this individual differences framework is trait psychology. Temperament, as defined by Buss and Plomin (1984, cited in Thomas, 2002) is a range of personality traits genetically inherited. They believe that temperaments observed in childhood will predict personality later in adulthood. While temperament may be modified to a greater or lesser degree by environmental influences, the influence of genetics on emotional or behavioural qualities that appear early in life, has been found to be substantial.

Twin studies are the most commonly used experimental design in estimating the degree of genetic effects. The closer the genetic link between two people, the closer the correspondence between their personalities. Behaviour genetics investigate heritability – that is, what is the relative contribution of genetics to individual differences – in this case, differences in personality traits. (Thomas, 2002). These studies involve both identical (monozygotic) and non-identical (dizygotic) twins. Since monozygotic twins are genetically identical, the genes play a large role in controlling personality traits. Studies carried out have consistently shown that from infancy onwards, monozygotic twins are more alike than dizygotic twins, thereby strongly suggesting that in part “personality is genetically determined, ” (Thomas 2002).

The results of such studies reveal that around 20 – 30% of individual differences in personality traits are thought to be due to genetics, with the rest being due to the environment (Lochlin, 1992, cited in Thomas 2002). These studies clearly reveal the importance of the environment in which we grow up, but also tell us that some parts of our personality can definitely be inherited, nature and nurture are not separable.

In conclusion, it can be said that biological explanations contribute to our understanding of behaviour in many ways. Understanding the physical details of what is happening during psychological events enables us to have a clearer picture of how some behaviours originate and can be helped, like depression. With our increasing understanding of genetics, through DNA, it is now possible to explore the link between certain aspects of behaviour and specific genes, thereby seeing how our genetic makeup can affect us psychologically. Further study of this area will no doubt lead to new information that in turn, can be applied to psychological theories and extend our knowledge of our behaviour even more.

References

EPoCH (Exploring psychology’s content and history) CD-ROM for DSE212 (2002), in DSE212 Course Team The nature-nurture debate (1955 – present day), The Open University.

Thomas, K. (2002) The individual differences approach to personality (Chapter 5), in Miell, D., Phoenix, A. and Thomas K. (eds) Mapping Psychology 1, Milton Keynes, The Open University.

Toates, F (2002) Biological processes and psychological explanation, in Miell, D., Phoenix, A. and Thomas, K. (eds) Mapping Psychology, Milton Keynes, The Open University.