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the biological approach

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4 detailed 50-minute lessons with teaching scripts, worked examples, parent guides, and assessment criteria.

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Lesson Overview

Total Lessons: 4
Tier: Foundation and Higher
Duration: 50 minutes per lesson (200 minutes total)
Exam Boards: AQA, Edexcel, OCR, Eduqas, CCEA

Learning Objectives

Prerequisites

Materials & Equipment

Lesson 1: Introduction: the biological approach

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Quick Recall

Write down everything you already know about the biological approach. Then check against the key terms: Psychology Exam Tips. Use a mini-whiteboard or paper.

Main Content (35 minutes)

Parent/Teacher Guide:
Before lesson: Read the script below. Pre-teach key vocab: Psychology Exam Tips.
If stuck: Re-read the revision notes (link above), then break the content into smaller steps.
Extension: See the Stretch & Challenge ideas in Lesson 4.
Teaching Script (35 mins):
Mins 0-5 - Hook: "Today: the biological approach. By the end you will be able to answer exam questions on it unaided. It connects to the rest of Psychology because the ideas here recur across the spec."
Mins 5-20 - Direct Instruction: Work through the core ideas below one at a time; after each, ask your student to explain it back in their own words.
Mins 20-30 - Guided Practice: Model the worked example together, then let your student attempt the first practice question with guidance.
Mins 30-35 - Independent Practice: 2-3 practice questions from Lesson 3 below, with immediate feedback.
First Look

Start with the revision notes summary, then attempt: Describe the key assumptions of the biological approach and explain how genes influence behaviour.

Plenary (5 minutes)

Check Out

Your student states one thing they learned and one question they still have about the biological approach.

Lesson 2: Core Concepts: the biological approach

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Review Previous Lesson

Quick recap: write 3 key points from Lesson 1 on the biological approach. Check them against the notes below.

Main Content (35 minutes)

Key Fact: The biological approach assumes all behaviour has a physical cause in the brain, nervous system, genes and biochemistry. Behaviour can be explained in terms of biological structures and processes.
Key Fact: Genetic basis of behaviour: genes inherited from parents influence characteristics. Twin studies compare MZ (identical, 100% genes shared) with DZ (fraternal, 50% shared) twins. If MZ concordance is higher, genetic influence is likely. Example: McGuffin et al. found 37% MZ vs 15% DZ concordance for depression.
Key Fact: Evolution and behaviour: behaviours that enhanced survival and reproduction were naturally selected. Evolutionary explanations account for: fight-or-flight (adaptive for physical threats), attachment (infants who stayed close to caregivers survived), phobias (fear of snakes/spiders was adaptive).
Key Fact: Neurochemistry: neurotransmitters influence mood and behaviour. Serotonin (mood, aggression), dopamine (reward, motivation), adrenaline (fight-or-flight). Imbalances are linked to mental health conditions.
Key Fact: Brain structure: different brain regions have different functions (localisation). Damage to specific areas causes specific deficits (Broca's aphasia, anterograde amnesia). The brain's structure determines behaviour.
Psychology Exam Tips: When evaluating the biological approach, always consider: is it reductionist? Is it deterministic? Does it ignore important environmental factors? Balance the scientific credibility against the limitations of reducing complex behaviour to biology.

Practice (10 minutes)

Q: Describe the key assumptions of the biological approach and explain how genes influence behaviour.

Answer: The biological approach assumes behaviour is caused by biological processes: genes (inherited predispositions), neurochemistry (neurotransmitter activity), brain structure (localised functions), and evolution (naturally selected behaviours). Genes influence behaviour through heredity - twin studies show higher MZ than DZ concordance for many traits, suggesting genetic influence.

Plenary (5 minutes)

Explain Back

Your student teaches the key points back to you without looking. Fill any gaps immediately.

Lesson 3: Application: the biological approach

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Quick Recall

Recall the key terms: Psychology Exam Tips. Define each in one sentence.

Main Content (35 minutes)

Parent/Teacher Guide: Let your student attempt each question alone first, then compare with the model answer. Award method marks for correct working even if the final answer is wrong.

Q1: Describe the key assumptions of the biological approach and explain how genes influence behaviour.

Answer: The biological approach assumes behaviour is caused by biological processes: genes (inherited predispositions), neurochemistry (neurotransmitter activity), brain structure (localised functions), and evolution (naturally selected behaviours). Genes influence behaviour through heredity - twin studies show higher MZ than DZ concordance for many traits, suggesting genetic influence.

Q2: Evaluate the biological approach, considering its strengths and limitations.

Answer: Strengths: scientific (uses objective methods like brain scanning, drug trials, twin studies), practical applications (drug treatments based on neurochemistry), has predictive power (identifies risk factors). Limitations: reductionist (reduces complex behaviour to genes and chemicals), deterministic (implies free will is an illusion), ignores environmental influences (cannot explain why MZ twins differ), ethical issues (genetic research raises concerns about labelling and discrimination).

Q3: Discuss whether behaviour is determined by biology, referring to the nature-nurture debate.

Answer: Nature argument: behaviour is determined by biology (genes, brain, neurochemistry). Supported by: twin studies, evolution, brain damage case studies. Nurture argument: behaviour is shaped by experience. Supported by: cultural differences, learning theory, plasticity. Conclusion: both contribute - the diathesis-stress model shows genetic vulnerability interacts with environmental triggers. Neither nature nor nurture alone fully explains behaviour.

Plenary (5 minutes)

Error Review

Review any questions answered incorrectly. Identify whether the error was knowledge, method, or reading the question.

Lesson 4: Exam Practice: the biological approach

Duration: 50 minutes

Starter Activity (5 minutes)

Command Words

Review what these command words require: state (one point), describe (say what happens), explain (say why), compare (both sides), evaluate (judgement).

Main Content (35 minutes)

Extended Answer

Extended question: Full-Mark Response Evaluate the biological approach as an explanation for human behaviour. <div class="

A grade 9 response will: outline key assumptions (genes, neurochemistry, brain structure, evolution); present supporting evidence (twin studies, brain scanning, drug effectiveness); evaluate strengths (scientific, practical applications, testable); evaluate limitations (reductionist, deterministic, ignores environment, cannot explain MZ twin differences); consider the interactionist alternative (diathesis-stress, biopsychosocial); conclude: the biological approach provides valuable scientific insights and effective treatments but is incomplete alone - behaviour is best understood through the interaction of biological, psychological and social factors.

Exam Tips: Biological approach: behaviour = GENES + BRAIN + NEUROCHEMISTRY + EVOLUTION. | MZ twins share 100% genes. DZ share 50%. Higher MZ concordance = genetic influence. | Strengths = scientific + practical treatments. Weaknesses = reductionist + deterministic + ignores environment.
Common Errors: Watch Out! Students often make mistakes here. Wrong: Our behaviour is entirely determined by our genes and brain chemistry, so we cannot change how we act. Correct: The biological approach is biologically deterministic - it assumes behaviour is caused by internal biological factors beyond our control. However, this ignores: environmental influences (upbringing, culture, learning), cognitive factors (our thoughts and decisions), and neuroplasticity (the brain changes in response to experience). Gene expression depends on environmental triggers (epigenetics). While biology creates predispositions, it does not determine behaviour absolutely - people can and do change through therapy, learning,
Stretch & Challenge (Grade 8-9):
  • Synoptic links: explain how the biological approach connects to another Psychology topic you have studied
  • Real-world: research one real-world use or example of the biological approach
  • Critical: "What are the limitations of the models used in the biological approach?"

Plenary (5 minutes)

Assessment Criteria
  • Got it: Confident explanation + correct worked examples
  • Getting there: Main points OK, needs support with detail
  • Not yet: Confused on key concepts - re-run Lesson 2

Homework & Consolidation

Recommended Resources

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