To what extent do biological factors influence human relationships?

Refer to the paper 2 assessment criteria when awarding marks.

The command term “to what extent” requires candidates to consider the contribution of biological factors in human relationships. It is appropriate and useful for candidates to address cognitive and/or sociocultural factors in order to respond to the command term “to what extent”.

Candidates may address any aspect(s) of the psychology of human relationships (for example, social responsibility, interpersonal relationships, and/or violence).

Relevant factors may include, but are not limited to:
• evolutionary explanations of altruism (for example, Dawkin’s selfish gene theory) and/or violence (for example, McAndrew, 2009) and/or attraction (for example, Wedekind, 1995)
• hormonal and/or neurotransmitter influence on trust and bonding (for example, Marazziti and Canale, 2004; Bradford and McLean, 1984)
• brain damage or disease influencing violent behaviour (for example, Soyka, Graz, Bottlender et al. 2007; Grafman, et al., 1996)
• brain activity influencing violence (for example, Raine, 1997)
• genetic factors in violent behaviour (for example, the warrior gene – MAOI (monoamine oxidase inhibitors).

Candidates may address (one or) a small number of biological factors in order to demonstrate depth of knowledge, or may address a larger number of biological factors in order to demonstrate breadth of knowledge. Both approaches are equally acceptable.