Also
referred to as Biopsychology, and Physiological Psychology, this approach
studies the physical basis of human behaviour. It postulates that human
behaviour is a consequence of genetics and physiology. How we think, feel and
behave can therefore be traced back to a biological cause. i.e., how the brain
is built.
Where the Psychoanalytic looks at human behaviour with a view
to find its roots in childhood experiences that are subconscious to the person
showing the behaviour such as aggression, and the behaviourist considers how
such behaviour has been instilled by association, reinforcement and punishment,
the biological perspective looks for biological causes of such behaviour. They may therefore consider aspects such as brain
damage, hormonal imbalances or genetics.
Studies
in this approach Focuses on the body, especially the brain
and the central nervous system as a way of examining and understanding
behaviour and mental processes. It can be therefore understood in three ways,
thus;
i) Comparative method:
Different animal species can be studied and compared. The research findings can
then be used to understand human behaviour.
ii) Physiology:
When the working of the nervous system and hormones, and the functioning of the
brain have been studied, it has been shown that changes in their structure,
and/or functioning can have impact on behaviour. This is proven by the way
drugs such as antidepressants have been used to interact with the nervous
system to change behaviour.
iii) Inheritance:
what is passed on from one generation to the next.
This approach is linked to biology, neuroscience, and
genetics.
A Psychologist interest in Biopsychology;
Analyses how injury or trauma to the brain
influences behaviour
Investigates degenerative brain diseases
and their impact on behaviour
Explores genetic influences on behaviour
Studies the links between genetics, brain damage
and psychological disorders
With recent technological advancements, the brain and the
Central Nervous System (CNS) are now being thoroughly studied through methods
such as PET, MRI, and EEG. This has greatly helped in investigating how damage
to the brain, diseases and drugs impact cognition and behaviour.
Strengths
v Scientific: With the rigorous empirical methods, the
biological approach yields reliable and practical results.
v Yields remedies and treatments for several
psychological/mental disorders
Weaknesses
v This approach fails to account for other influences such as
societal pressure, environment, emotions, and past experiences in the formation
of psychological disorders
Conclusion
As can
be seen, this approach is not complete on its own, and may therefore need to
borrow from the other perspectives when remedying a psychological issue.
Other
perspectives
·
Psychodynamic Perspective
·
Humanistic/Existential Perspective
·
Cognitive Perspective
·
Evolutionary Perspective
·
Sociocultural Perspective
