Biological Perspective in Psychology

Biological Perspective in Psychology
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Biological Perspective in Psychology
There are different ways of looking into topics in psychology. Of these ways, the biological perspective cannot be overlooked. It involves studying psychological issues by looking into the physical basis for the behavior of animals and human beings. The biological perspective is the major perspective in psychology. It encompasses studying the nervous system, brain, immune system and genetics (Cherry, 2018). The increasing understanding of biology has had a major impact on the practice of psychology today.
Biology has linked behaviors like criminal activities to the human anatomy. According to scientists, the prefrontal cortex of the human brain is responsible for controlling anger and rage, violent offenders according to research has shown poor prefrontal functioning which results to poor problem-solving skills and extreme risk-taking (Crime and violence, 2013). Suicide is a common behavior among human beings. In America for instance, someone dies of suicide every 13 minutes. Neuroanatomists have used the biology of the brain to explain suicidal behavior (The Biology of Suicide, 2018). Another common behavior that has caught the attention of scientists is alcoholism. Studies indicate that about 40 percent of alcoholics have biological traits since birth that lead them to alcoholism. Alcoholism has also been linked to psychological distress such as depression. Unlike the two, social drinkers metabolize alcohol differently and are unable to drink beyond a certain point (Why Do Some People Become Alcoholics?, 2018).

. These examples show the impact that the biological perspective has had on psychology.
While the biological perspective in psychology cannot be overlooked, it has been found to have both strengths and controversies. The major strength of the biological perspective is that it gives clear predictions. Through biology, one can clearly predict the behavior of people who are related genetically. It gives explanations that can be scientifically argued, tested and proven. The major controversy surrounding the biological perspective is its reductionist nature (Cherry, 2018). This perspective neglects the effects of the social and cultural environment on behavior and limits itself to genetics and other biological processes.

References
Cherry, K. (2018). What the Biological Perspective Means in Psychology. Retrieved from https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-the-biological-perspective-2794878
Crime and violence: The biological behind murder [Video file]. (2013, May 6). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcaDSJ1LplQThe Biology of Suicide |MHC.tv|. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnsEUD12RB4&t=261sWhy Do Some People Become Alcoholics?. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLFXZKzYUlE