The Biological Approach - Strengths and Limitations (Evaluation)

Research methods = The highly developed scientific methods have led to great advances in understanding the biological basics of behaviour

Reductionist = Referred to as reductionist in that is attempts to explain all aspects of human behaviour in terms of cells and chemicals

Practical applications:

- The role of the brain in higher mental functions e.g. memory in humans beginning to be understood 

- Has helped to develop drugs to treat mental disorders and the breakdown of brain functions (Parkinsons disease) 

-Shown us how evolution and genetics inluence our behaviour and play a role in child development 

Negelcts important factors = it ignores the influence of the environment and childhood experiences 

Provides a strong argument for the NATURE side of the Nature-Nurture debate in psychology 

It doesn't provide a complete explanation for behaviour = it has difficulty explaining one of the most distinct aspects of the human being - consciousness and self-awareness 

Denies Freewill = suggests people do not have freewill to decide how to behave (this is known as biological reductionism)

Research carried out on animals = unethical and not generalisable to humans