The Physiological Approach

• Behaviour and experience can be reduced to the functioning of physiological systems. • Physiological systems include: the Nervous system, Somatic Nervous system and the Autonomic nervous system.

Key assumptions of the Physiological Approach • The main assumption of the physiological approach is that behaviour and experience can be explained by physiological changes. This approach investigates the brain, the nervous system and other biological factors such as hormones. • A second assumption is that behaviour is significantly determined by any or some of the following:1. Our genes and personality, 2. Our brain structure and function, 3. Our hormones – testosterone, oestrogen, adrenaline and 4. Disease, injury and substance abuse.

Evaluation of the Physiological Approach

Strengths • The objective, reductionist nature of physiological explanations facilitates experimental research, for example the physiological approach uses sophisticated equipment such as MRI scanners which provide an objective and precise way of measuring brain structure. • Practical applications: Physiological explanations can be used to treat behavioural problems. Much of the research in this area is very useful as it may be used to diagnose and develop treatments and therapies for illnesses or problems. • Useful in improving the experiences of people with mental health problems.

Weaknesses • Physiological explanations offer an objective, reductionist and mechanistic explanation of behaviour, which is oversimplified. There are, however, positive aspects of this simplification. • A problem with the physiological approach is that by using such a scientific approach and testing behaviour in laboratory conditions the measurement of behaviour often lacks validity. • A further problem with the physiological