Biological approach

Main assumptions of the biological approach.

• Behaviour, cognitions and emotions can be explained in terms of the working of the brain and the effect of hormones, genetics and evolution.
• Similarities and differences between people can be understood in terms of biological factors and their interaction with other factors.

This matters because biological approach - main assumptions determines what can be inferred or chosen; begin with the stated conditions and keep the conclusion tied to the evidence.

Example: apply biological approach - main assumptions to one small, clearly defined case, show the key step or comparison, and explain the result in words.

Boundary: Biological approach - main assumptions is not a universal recommendation. Check the syllabus scope, assumptions, units and the limits of the evidence before generalising.

Dement and Kleitman (sleep and dreams).

• Dement, W and Kleitman, N (1957), The relation of eye movements during sleep to dream activity: An objective method for the study of dreaming. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 53(5): 339-46.
• The study by Dement and Kleitman investigated the relationship between rapid eye movements (REM) and dreaming. It included EEGs, REM and Non-REM sleep, used experimental and correlational methods and an interview technique.
• The psychology being investigated includes: sleep; dreaming; ultradian rhythms.
• For this study, candidates should understand the background, aims, procedure and methodology as appropriate (research method, sample and demographics, sampling technique, experimental design, controls, question types, data-collection technique, and measured and manipulated variables), ethical issues, quantitative and qualitative results and their representation and interpretation, conclusions, and strengths and weaknesses; describe and evaluate the methodology; and relate the study to psychological issues and debates.

This matters because dement and kleitman (sleep and dreams) determines what can be inferred or chosen; begin with the stated conditions and keep the conclusion tied to the evidence.

Example: apply dement and kleitman (sleep and dreams) to one small, clearly defined case, show the key step or comparison, and explain the result in words.

Boundary: Dement and Kleitman (sleep and dreams) is not a universal recommendation. Check the syllabus scope, assumptions, units and the limits of the evidence before generalising.

Hassett et al. (monkey toy preferences).

• Hassett, J M, Siebert, E R and Wallen, K (2008), Sex differences in rhesus monkey toy preferences parallel those of children. Hormones and Behaviour, 54(3): 359-64.
• The study by Hassett et al. was an experiment investigating sex differences for toy preferences in monkeys, whose behaviour is assumed to be more biologically controlled than that of children. Interactions with stereotypical boys' toys and girls' toys were observed and coded using a behavioural checklist. Human participants were not included in the sample of this study. To compare monkey toy preferences to those of children, data from another study was used.
• The psychology being investigated includes: sex differences; socialisation; play; the role of hormones.
• For this study, candidates should understand the background, aims, procedure and methodology as appropriate (research method, sample and demographics, sampling technique, experimental design, controls, question types, data-collection technique, and measured and manipulated variables), ethical issues, quantitative and qualitative results and their representation and interpretation, conclusions, and strengths and weaknesses; describe and evaluate the methodology; and relate the study to psychological issues and debates.

This matters because hassett et al. (monkey toy preferences) determines what can be inferred or chosen; begin with the stated conditions and keep the conclusion tied to the evidence.

Example: apply hassett et al. (monkey toy preferences) to one small, clearly defined case, show the key step or comparison, and explain the result in words.

Boundary: Hassett et al. (monkey toy preferences) is not a universal recommendation. Check the syllabus scope, assumptions, units and the limits of the evidence before generalising.

Hölzel et al. (mindfulness and brain scans).

• Hölzel, B K, Carmody, J, Vangel, M, Congleton, C, Yerramsetti, S M, Gard, T and Lazar, S W (2011), Mindfulness practice leads to increases in regional brain gray matter density. Psychiatry Research, 191(1): 36-43.
• The study by Hölzel et al. investigated the effects of mindfulness practice on brain structure in an experiment using a longitudinal design. The techniques used included MRI scans and self-reports. The study also used correlations.
• The psychology being investigated includes: mindfulness; localisation of function.
• For this study, candidates should understand the background, aims, procedure and methodology as appropriate (research method, sample and demographics, sampling technique, experimental design, controls, question types, data-collection technique, and measured and manipulated variables), ethical issues, quantitative and qualitative results and their representation and interpretation, conclusions, and strengths and weaknesses; describe and evaluate the methodology; and relate the study to psychological issues and debates.

This matters because hölzel et al. (mindfulness and brain scans) determines what can be inferred or chosen; begin with the stated conditions and keep the conclusion tied to the evidence.

Example: apply hölzel et al. (mindfulness and brain scans) to one small, clearly defined case, show the key step or comparison, and explain the result in words.

Boundary: Hölzel et al. (mindfulness and brain scans) is not a universal recommendation. Check the syllabus scope, assumptions, units and the limits of the evidence before generalising.