Topic 2 of 6 · Form 5
The biological approach
Behaviour and experience are explained by biological structures and processes: the brain, neurotransmitters, hormones and genes.
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Assumptions
Behaviour and experience are explained by biological structures and processes: the brain, neurotransmitters, hormones and genes.
Key ideas and studies
- Sleep and dreaming: Dement and Kleitman (1957) found that dreaming is associated with REM sleep, using EEG recordings and awakening participants at intervals.
- Brain plasticity: research on mindfulness and grey matter changes.
- Hormones and behaviour: research on sex differences in toy preferences (e.g. studies with primates).
Methods used
Brain scanning (MRI, fMRI), EEG, laboratory experiments, twin and adoption studies.
Evaluation
Strengths: scientific, objective, measurable data; practical applications (drug treatments). Weaknesses: reductionism, determinism, nature–nurture debate, ethical issues in animal research.
Worked example: Explain why EEG is useful for studying sleep.
It records electrical activity of the brain continuously and objectively, showing distinct patterns for each sleep stage, including REM.
Check yourself
- What is REM sleep?
- Give one weakness of the biological approach.
- What do twin studies investigate?
Show answers
- Rapid eye movement sleep, a stage associated with vivid dreaming and active brain waves.
- It is reductionist – it may oversimplify complex behaviour to biology.
- The relative contribution of genes and environment to behaviour.
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