Early child development is influenced by a wide variety of both biological and environmental factors. Biological factors can play a particularly important role in early development. These factors influence a child in both positive and negative ways. They can affect children throughout their development, particularly during critical times such as the prenatal period and early childhood. Show
Research conducted at Rutgers University demonstrated that prenatal factors affect linguistic development and postnatal factors contribute to a child’s cognitive development. And gross motor development is widely considered to be the result of innate, biological factors, with postnatal factors contributing to a lesser extent. Biological factors include genetic influences, brain chemistry, hormone levels, nutrition, and gender. Here is a closer look at nutrition and gender and how they affect development. NutritionProper nutrition is a vital factor in a child’s overall development. Prior to birth, a mother’s diet and health play a key role. For example, folic acid intake of 400 micrograms (mcg) daily for three months prior to conception and during early pregnancy significantly decreases the risk of certain birth defects of a baby’s brain (anencephaly) and spine (spina bifida). These birth defects occur in the first few weeks of pregnancy, which is why it is important for women in their childbearing years to ensure they are getting at least 400 micrograms of folic acid daily. Waiting until a woman finds out she is pregnant can be too late. GenderMost people possess 23 pairs of chromosomes in their cells (with the exception of special reproductive cells called gametes). The first 22 pairs are called autosomes, which are the same in boys and girls. Therefore, males and females share most of the same set of genes. The 23rd pair of chromosomes is what determines the gender of an individual. Boys typically have one X chromosome and one Y chromosome while girls have two X chromosomes. Hence, gender differences at the biological level are found on the Y chromosome. Gender can influence development in a variety of ways. For example, boystend to develop and learn differently than girls and have lower levels of school readiness. A child’s physical body has distinctive reproductive organs and becomes further differentiated as special sex hormones are produced that play a role in gender differences. Boys typically produce more androgens (male sex hormones), while females produce estrogens (female sex hormones). Scientists have studied the effect of excessive amounts of sex hormones on a child’s behavior. They have found that boys with higher than normal androgen levels play and behave similarly to their male peers with normal androgen levels. However, girls with high androgen levels typically exhibit more gender-stereotypic male traits than do girls who have normal androgen levels. Interactions Among Biological and Environmental FactorsIt is important to remember that biological factors do not act in isolation. Genes, for example, can interact both with other genes and the environment. Some genes may dominate and prevent others from being expressed. In other cases, certain biological influences might impact genetic expression. An example of biological influence over gene expression is a child not getting proper nutrition. The child might not grow tall, even though they have inherited genes for height. In order to understand child development, it is essential to consider all the many factors that may play a role. Healthy development is not the result of a single influence. A Word From VerywellThe first three years of a child’s life is a period of tremendous growth and development. It is characterized by rapid development, particularly of the brain, where connections between brain cells are being made to provide the necessary building blocks for future development. For children to learn and become resourceful and independent, it is important to devote attention to early childhood development. 
By Douglas Haddad Thanks for your feedback!
Biological ApproachBy Dr. Saul McLeod, updated 2015 Biological psychology, also called physiological psychology, is the study of the biology of behavior; it focuses on the nervous system, hormones and genetics. Biological psychology examines the relationship between mind and body, neural mechanisms, and the influence of heredity on behavior. The biological approach believes behavior to be as a consequence of our genetics and physiology. It is the only approach in psychology that examines thoughts, feelings, and behaviors from a biological and thus physical point of view. Therefore, all that is psychological is first physiological. All thoughts, feeling & behavior ultimately have a biological cause. A biological perspective is relevant to the study of psychology in three ways:
Each of these biological aspects, the comparative, the physiological (i.e., the brain) and the genetic, can help explain human behavior. Investigation of InheritanceTwin studies provide geneticists with a kind of natural experiment in which the behavioral likeness of identical twins (whose genetic relatedness is 1.0) can be compared with the resemblance of dizygotic twins (whose genetic relatedness is 0.5). In other words, if heredity (i.e., genetics) affects a given trait or behavior, then identical twins should show a greater similarity for that trait compared to fraternal (non-identical) twins. There are two types of twins:
Research using twin studies looks for the degree of concordance (or similarity) between identical and fraternal (i.e., non-identical) twins. Twins are concordant for a trait if both or neither of the twins exhibits the trait. Twins are said to be disconcordant for a trait if one shows it, and the other does not. Identical twins have the same genetic make-up, and fraternal twins have just 50 percent of genes in common. Thus, if concordance rates (which can range from 0 to 100) are significantly higher for identical twins than for fraternal twins, then this is evidence that genetics play an important role in the expression of that particular behavior. Bouchard and McGue (1981) conducted a review of 111 worldwide studies which compared the IQ of family members. The correlation figures below represent the average degree of similarity between the two people (the higher the similarity, the more similar the IQ scores).
However, there are methodological flaws which reduce the validity of twin studies. For example, Bouchard and McGue included many poorly performed and biased studies in their meta-analysis. Also, studies comparing the behavior of twin raised apart have been criticized as the twins often share similar environments and are sometimes raised by non-parental family member. Methods of Studying the BrainIt is important to appreciate that the human brain is an extremely complicated piece of biological machinery. Scientists have only just “scratched the surface” of understanding the many functions of the workings of the human brain. The brain can influence many types of behavior. In addition to studying brain damaged patients, we can find out about the working of the brain in three other ways. Children begin to plan activities, make up games, and initiate activities with others. If given this opportunity, children develop a sense of initiative and feel secure in their ability to lead others and make decisions. 1. Neuro Surgery1. Neuro SurgeryWe know so little about the brain and its functions are so closely integrated that brain surgery is usually only attempted as a last resort. H.M. suffered such devastating epileptic fits that in the end a surgical technique that had never been used before was tried out. This technique cured his epilepsy, but in the process the hippocampus had to be removed (this is part of the limbic system in the middle of the brain.) Afterwards, H.M. was left with severe anterograde amnesia. I.e., He could remember what happened to him in his life up to when he had the operation, but he couldn’t remember anything new. So now we know the hippocampus is involved in memory. 2. Electroencrphalograms (EEGs)2. Electroencrphalograms (EEGs)This is a way of recording the electrical activity of the brain (it doesn’t hurt, and it isn’t dangerous). Electrodes are attached to the scalp and brain waves can be traced. EEGs have been used to study sleep, and it has been found that during a typical night’s sleep, we go through a series of stages marked by different patterns of brain wave. One of these stages is known as REM sleep (Rapid Eye Movement sleep). During this, our brain waves begin to resemble those of our waking state (though we are still fast asleep) and it seems that this is when we dream (whether we remember it or not). 3. Brain Scans3. Brain ScansMore recently methods of studying the brain have been developed using various types of scanning equipment hooked up to powerful computers. The CAT scan (Computerised Axial Tomography) is a moving X-ray beam which takes “pictures” from different angles around the head and can be used to build up a 3-dimensional image of which areas of the brain are damaged. Even more sophisticated is the PET scan (Positron Emission Tomography) which uses a radioactive marker as a way of studying the brain at work. The procedure is based on the principle that the brain requires energy to function and that the regions more involved in the performance of a task will use up more energy. What the scan, therefore, enables researchers to do is to provide ongoing pictures of the brain as it engages in mental activity. These (and other) methods for producing images of brain structure and functioning have been extensively used to study language and PET scans, in particular, are producing evidence that suggests that the Wernicke-Gerschwind model may not after all be the answer to the question of how language is possible. Timeline of the Biological Approach
Biological Approach SummaryMethodology / Studies Methodology / StudiesBasic Assumptions Basic AssumptionsPsychology should be seen as a science, to be studied in a scientific manner. Behavior can be largely explained in terms of biology (e.g., genes/hormones). Human genes have evolved over millions of years to adapt behavior to the environment. Therefore, most behavior will have an adaptive / evolutionary purpose. Areas of Application Areas of ApplicationStrengths StrengthsThe biological approach provides clear predictions that can. This means that explanations can be scientifically tested and support with evidence. Real life applications (e.g., therapy) Emphasizes objective measurement Many experiments to support theories Highly application to other areas: Biology + Cog = Evolutionary Psy Limitations LimitationsIgnores mediational processes (doesn’t recognize cognitive processes) Bio psychological theories often over-simplify the huge complexity of physical systems and their interaction with the environment. Too deterministic (little free-will) Humanism – can’t compare animals to humans Reductionist Critical EvaluationTheories within the biological approach support nature over nurture. However, it is limiting to describe behavior solely in terms of either nature or nurture, and attempts to do this underestimate the complexity of human behavior. It is more likely that behavior is due to an interaction between nature (biology) and nurture (environment). For example, individuals may be predisposed to certain behaviors, but these behaviors may not be displayed unless they are triggered by factors in the environment. This is known as the diathesis-stress model of human behavior. A strength of the biological approach is that it provides clear predictions, for example, about the effects of neurotransmitters, or the behaviors of people who are genetically related. This means the explanations can be scientifically tested and ‘proven.’ A limitation is that most biological explanations are reductionist, as it reduces behavior to the outcome of genes and other biological processes, neglecting the effects of childhood and our social and cultural environment. and don’t provide enough information to fully explain human behavior. How to reference this article:How to reference this article:McLeod, S. A. (2017, Febuary 05). Biological psychology. Simply Psychology. www.simplypsychology.org/biological-psychology.html APA Style ReferencesBouchard, T. J., & McGue, M. (1981). Familial studies of intelligence: A review. Science, 212(4498), 1055-1059. Darwin, C. (1859). On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the Struggle for Life (1st ed.). London: John Murray. Harlow, J. M. (1848). Passage of an iron rod through the head. Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, 39, 389–393. Tooby, J., & Cosmides, L. (1992). The psychological foundations of culture. In J. Barkow, L. Cosmides, & J. Tooby (Eds.), The adapted mind: Evolutionary psychology and the generation of culture. New York: Oxford University Press. Wilson, E. (1975). Sociobiology: The New Synthesis. Harvard University Press How to reference this article:How to reference this article:McLeod, S. A. (2017, Febuary 05). Biological psychology. Simply Psychology. www.simplypsychology.org/biological-psychology.html Home | About Us | Privacy Policy | Advertise | Contact Us Simply Psychology's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. © Simply Scholar Ltd - All rights reserved
What are biological factors in human behavior?Biological factors include genetic influences, brain chemistry, hormone levels, nutrition, and gender.
What are three biological factors that can affect human behaviour?A growing body of evidence suggests that biological factors such as genes, hormone levels, brain structure, and brain functioning influence the development and trajectory of conduct problems in youth.
What are biological factors factors?Biological Factors
Factors considered include genetics, based on the results of both twin and adoption studies, as well as traits such as birth weight, adult height, body mass index, and age at puberty.
What are the 4 biological explanations of behavior?Surname 1 Name Instructor Course Date The four biological explanations of behavior include physiological, evolutionary, ontogenetic and functional. In terms of physiological, behavior is described as an activity of the brain.
|
