Biological Approach Model Answers

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Outline two assumptions of the biological approach. (4marks) This approach looks at behaviour from a physiological perspective. It looks at chemical and electrical events that occur in the body and how these affect our thinking, emotions and behaviour. The first assumption is about the structure and function of the endocrine system. Glands in our body secrete hormones into the bloodstream and affect our organs. For example when we are stressed the body releases the hormone adrenaline which affects processes in our body. Other hormones affect our emotions. The second assumption is about the structure and function of the brain. Different areas of the cortex have different functions for example vision, movement and language. If a certain area of the brain is damaged then specific functions may be lost. Therefore the brain must be responsible for behaviour. Describe the GAS model. (8marks) The biological approach assumes that human behaviour can be explained in terms of hormones. The GAS model explains how humans respond to stress by producing hormones. The GAS model was first proposed by Selye (1947) who began investigating how rats responded to unpleasant stimuli. He exposed the rats to a variety of severe but non lethal stressors including exercise, injury and mutilation. He observed a long term response to stress that was independent of stressor type. The long-term response was made up of three stages; alarm, resistance and exhaustion. The alarm stage was the immediate response made to the stressor. Adrenaline is produced which increases heart rate, breathing rate, sweating and conserved resources- to prepare the body for fight or flight. In the resistance stage the body tried to cope with the stressor. There were some hormonal changes which included cortisol being produced which maintains a steady supply of glucose to the cells. The body is

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