24 total
Since no specific syllabus objectives were listed, the following key topics are covered based on the course content:
The biological approach is one way psychologists try to explain why people think, feel, and behave the way they do. It has two core assumptions (core assumptions are the basic beliefs that the approach is built on):
Assumption 1: Behaviour, thoughts, and emotions can be explained by looking at how the brain works and the effects of hormones (chemical messengers in the body), genetics (inherited instructions from parents), and evolution (how species change over time).
Assumption 2: The similarities and differences between people can be understood by looking at biological factors — like brain structure, hormones, and genes — and how these interact with environmental factors (things that happen around us and to us).
In simple terms: the biological approach says that who you are and how you behave is largely shaped by your biology — your brain, your body chemistry, and your inherited genes.
The brain is part of the central nervous system (CNS), which also includes the spinal cord. Together, they control everything your body does — both things you are aware of (like deciding to wave at a friend) and things you are not aware of (like your heartbeat).
The human brain is made up of billions of neurons (nerve cells). These neurons connect to each other and work together in organised networks to carry out different tasks.
This is the idea that specific parts of the brain are responsible for specific behaviours or processes. Think of it like different departments in a school — the science lab is for science, the gym is for sports. In the brain:
This refers to the brain's ability to change its connections as a result of experience. When you learn something new, the number of connections (called synapses) between neurons can increase. If a skill is not used, connections can decrease. This is a brilliant example of nature and nurture working together — you are born with a brain (nature), but your experiences shape how it develops (nurture).
| Structure | Location / Role |
|---|---|
| Cerebrum | Largest part of the brain; responsible for thinking and conscious actions |
| Hippocampus | Involved in memory and learning |
| Amygdala | Involved in emotions, especially fear |
| Hypothalamus | Controls basic drives like hunger and temperature |
| Pituitary gland | The "master gland" — controls hormone release from other glands |
| Cerebellum | Coordinates movement and balance |
Sign in to view full notes