How do genetic influences affect behavior according to the Biological approach?

The Biological approach in psychology emphasizes the role of genetics and biological processes in determining behavior. Genetic influences affect behavior primarily through hereditary traits and predispositions. This means that individuals inherit certain characteristics from their parents that can influence a wide variety of behaviors, including temperament, intelligence, and even susceptibility to mental health disorders.

The focus on hereditary traits acknowledges that genetics can set certain potentials or limitations for individuals, influenced by the biological makeup that they receive from their ancestors. For instance, specific genes may predispose a person to anxiety, depression, or certain personality traits, which manifest as behaviors.

In contrast, the other choices address aspects of behavior that are not primarily rooted in biology. Environmental conditioning pertains to learned behaviors through interactions with the environment, cognitive processes relate to mental functions like perception and memory that are not directly tied to genetic factors, and cultural influences encompass the societal contexts that shape behavior, which again falls outside the biological framework. Thus, the emphasis on genetics and predisposition solidifies the understanding that genetics play a foundational role in determining behavior according to the Biological approach.