Strengths and Weaknesses of Biological Approach

Strengths and Weaknesses of Biological Approach

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  • Created by: Charlotte
  • Created on: 02-04-13 14:41

Strengths and Weaknesses of Biological Approach

Advantages

  • It is very scientific because the experiments used are measurable, objective and can be repeated to test for reliability.
  • It is deterministic because it increases the likelihood of being able to treat people with abnormal behaviour and provides explanations about the causes of behaviour.

Disadvantages

  • Focuses too much on the 'nature' side of the nature/nurture debate. It argues that behaviour is caused by hormones, neurotransmitters and genetics. One theory is that schizophrenia is genetic, however, twin studies show that it is not completely genetic and the environment has a part to play.
  • It develops theories about disorders and generalises them to apply to everyone. It does not take into account the view that humans are unique. An example of this is that General Adaptation Syndrome assumes that everyone responds in the same way to stress but does not take into account that some people have more support than others.

Evaluation

Better theory than Psychodynamic as there is a lot of evidence but does not take into account individual differences (response to stress/ response to illness) and also the fact that environment can play a large part in developing mental illnesses whereas the behavioural approach does address this.

Comments

kiemac1

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excellent for revision, thanks :)

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