IB Psychology 2.1 Biological Approach Key Definitions

A brief electrical signal that travels down the axon of a neuron when it is activated.

Research comparing adopted children to their biological and adoptive relatives to separate genetic and environmental influences on behaviour.

Research that uses non-human animals as experimental subjects to investigate biological, behavioural, or psychological processes.

Explaining behaviour by breaking it down into smaller biological components such as genes, neurotransmitters, or brain structures.

The probability that if one relative shows a trait, another relative will show it too.

A model proposing that disorders develop when an underlying biological vulnerability is triggered by environmental stress.

The proportion of variation in a trait within a population that can be attributed to genetic differences.

The principle that specific psychological functions are carried out by specific regions of the brain.

A long-lasting strengthening of the connection between two neurons that fire together repeatedly.

The brain's ability to change its structure and function in response to experience.

The small gap between two neurons across which chemical signals are transmitted.

Research that compares identical and fraternal twins to estimate the genetic contribution to a behaviour or trait.