Key Idea: The biological approach explains behaviour through the body — brain, chemicals, genes — powerful but at risk of reductionism.
Topic 2.1 at a glance
- Studying the brain — Localization, neuroplasticity, brain imaging (fMRI where / EEG when).
- Chemical messengers — Neurotransmitters (fast, synapse) and hormones (slow, blood).
- Genes & vulnerability — Genetic inheritance, twin studies, the diathesis-stress model.
- Evaluating it — Objective and testable, but can be reductionist and correlational.
Brain · Chemicals · Genes
IB-style questionExplain[6 marks]
In the context of health and well-being, explain how the biological approach could account for depression, and one limitation.
Model answer plan
See the mark-by-mark plan — for / against / judgement, with marking guidance — in study mode.
Neurotransmitter vs hormone? Neurotransmitter = across the synapse (fast); hormone = through the blood (slow).
What is neuroplasticity? The brain changing its connections with experience.
What is the diathesis-stress model? A vulnerability + a stressor together produce a disorder.
For a biological SAQ, name the mechanism, give one clear example, then evaluate — often 'this is reductionist / shows correlation not cause'.