Physiological Psychology
The physiological approach to psychology focuses on our biological make up, and the events that occur in our bodies which cause our behaviour. Mainly, therefore, psychological psychology will focus on the brain, but it will also include study of the nervous system, hormones and genetics.
You should be able to:
• describe and evaluate the physiological approach in psychology
• describe and evaluate the various methodologies used to study physiological psychology
• describe and evaluate the various issues and debates appropriate to physiological psychology
• describe the physiological core studies in relation to methodology, approaches and perspectives, and issues and debates
• evaluate the physiological core studies in relation to methodology, approaches and perspectives, and issues and debates
• describe and evaluate the physiological approach in psychology
• describe and evaluate the various methodologies used to study physiological psychology
• describe and evaluate the various issues and debates appropriate to physiological psychology
• describe the physiological core studies in relation to methodology, approaches and perspectives, and issues and debates
• evaluate the physiological core studies in relation to methodology, approaches and perspectives, and issues and debates
Evaluating an approach, using studies as evidence
A common question in Paper 1 is to evaluate the approach, using the studies you have covered as an example. E.g...
Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the physiological psychology approach using one of the studies listed below as an example. [10]
A very common mistake here is for students to simply evaluate the study itself (e.g. saying the strengths and weaknesses of the Maguire study). This does not answer the question. You need to use the studies as examples, in order to evaluate THE APPROACH!
Using the PEE structure can be very helpful here. For example:
P - Make a point about a strength or weakness of the approach (e.g. see the ones given below)
E - Give and example from one of the four studies you have covered, which helps to illustrate your point.
E - Explain why this is a good/bad thing for the approach.
Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the physiological psychology approach using one of the studies listed below as an example. [10]
- Dement and Kleitman
- Dematté
- Maguire
A very common mistake here is for students to simply evaluate the study itself (e.g. saying the strengths and weaknesses of the Maguire study). This does not answer the question. You need to use the studies as examples, in order to evaluate THE APPROACH!
Using the PEE structure can be very helpful here. For example:
P - Make a point about a strength or weakness of the approach (e.g. see the ones given below)
E - Give and example from one of the four studies you have covered, which helps to illustrate your point.
E - Explain why this is a good/bad thing for the approach.
Know your studies - Key details dustbin quiz
Strengths of the physiological approach
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Weaknesses of the physiological approach
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RevisionTest your knowledgeWith this quizlet.
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ExtensionIt is common to assume that as time goes on, the physiological approach will become more and more dominant in psychology as the technology to examine the inner workings of the brain and body becomes ever more sophisticated Perhaps this is true, but there is still a long way to go before physiological explanations alone are the best way of examining behaviour.
Unfortunately, we are often too quick to believe physiological explanations as the best ones. This effect is even stronger when explanations are called 'neuroscience' explanations. In fact, putting the word "neuro-" in front of almost anything makes people more likely to believe that it is effective (which is why you can buy 'brain-boosting water' and other rubbish these days. Here is an interesting discussion of the topic from famous Neuroscience blogger Neurosceptic, discussing a paper which found that people were more likely to be convinced by made up arguments if they were accompanied by brain scans. |