The Biological

Approach in
Psychology
Presented by

Ammar Sarwar Janjua

 What is Biological Approach ?

• The biological approach combines

psychology and biology to provide
*physiological explanations for human
behaviour.
• •Biological psychology tries to explain how
we think, feel and behave in terms of
physical factors within the body. *
 The Main Concern of this
Approach ?
• The relationship between body and mind.
• The effect mind on body.
• The Influence of heridity on behavior.
 History

• Biological perspective can be dated back

to around 980 C.E., to a physician named
Avicenna
• Avicenna associated changes in pulse rate
with inner feelings as opposed to external
physical work
• How genetics and brain damage are linked
to mental disorder.
• It was Charles Darwin who first introduced
the idea that evolution and genetics play a
role in human behavior.
• Natural selection influences whether
certain behavior patterns are passed down
to future generations.
 Assumptions

• There is a direct correlation between brain

activity and cognition.
• Biochemical imbalances can affect
behaviour.
• Brain physiology can affect behaviour.
• Behaviour can be inherited (as it is
determined by genetic information)
 Behaviour Effected on 3 Basis

• 1. The chemistry of our body - How our hormones effect

our behaviour.Various levels of chemicals in our brain
and our body are thought to be related to a persons
behaviour.
• 2. Genetics - How our inherited genes effect our
behaviour.
• 3. The central nervous system, which includes the brain
and the spinal chord - The brain is seen as the main
influence on a persons behaviour
 Genetics

• Psychologists are interested in trying to determine and

provide evidence for the extent to which behaviours, or a
characteristic such as intelligence, are the product of
inheritance (genes), or environmental influences.
 Genetic basis of behaviour

• Methods of investigating the genetic basis of behaviour There are

different methods for investigating the extent to which psychological
characteristics are affected by inheritance from parents and
evolution genetic basis of behaviour:
• twin studies
• family studies
• adoption studies
• selective breeding
 Biochemicals

• Depression may be caused by structural abnormalities in the brain.

• Schizophrenia may be caused by tissue loss in the brain, especially
grey matter. Research has shown that schizophrenics have
enlarged spaces in their brains due to the shrinkage of brain tissue .
 Neurotransmitters in Brain

• Neurotransmitters are the chemicals that

brain cells use to communicate.
• An imbalance in neurotransmitters can
lead to abnormal thinking , feeling and
behaviour.
Thank You