5 - approaches Flashcards
who was Wundt and what did he do?
Father of psychology in Germany 1879
separated psychology from philosophy and focused on studying the mind
very reductionist - simplified everything to cause and effect
what was the order of psychology approaches
Wundt
psychodynamic
behaviourist
social learning theory
humanistic
biological
cognitive
What are the strengths of using scientific methods to explain human behavior?
1 - more credible and likely to be accepted
2 - objective
3 - replicable
4 - variables give more control
Negatives of using scientific methods to explain human behaviour?
1 - hard to narrow down emotions (subjective)
2 - lack of predictability
3 - could be ethically unsound (emotionally or physically)
what are the behaviorist approach assumptions
- we are born as a blank slate ‘tabula rasa’
- strongly nurture over nature
- scientific approach
- observable and studied objectively
- lab experiment based
what are the 2 behaviorism forms of learning?
1 - classical conditioning
2 - operant conditioning
what is an unconditioned stimulus?
a stimulus that reacts to an automatic response e.g. food in Pavlov’s experiment
what is an unconditional response?
automatic response to stimulus e.g. dogs salivating to food
what is a neutral stimulus?
a stimulus that initially creates no specific response other than focusing attention e.g. ringing bell
what is a conditioned response?
a stimulus that can eventually trigger a conditioned response e.g. bell
what is a conditioned response?
an automatic response established by training to an ordinarily neutral stimulus e.g. dog salivating to bell
what is classical conditioning?
a learning process that occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired: a response which is at first elicited by the second stimulus is eventually elicited by the first stimulus alone.
benefits of classical conditioning
alters human behaviour and can be used in therapy
explain 4 other important features of classical training
1- timing
if the neutral stimuli cant be used to predict non-conditional response, then conditioning doesn’t take place
2 - extinction
the conditional response is not permanent
3 - spontaneous recovery
after extinction, if CS and UCS are paired again, link between them is made much quicker
4 - stimulus gerneralisation
once an animal has been conditioned, they will react to similar stimuli
what is operant conditioning?
new voluntary behaviour due to consequences
what is positive reinforcement and an example
adding something good for certain behaviour
e.g. house-point for good homework
what is negative reinforcement and an example
taking away something unpleasant as a reward
e.g. removing a piece of homework
what is positive punishment?
giving something unpleasant
e.g. detention
what is negative punishment?
taking away something good
e.g. taking phone
what is the difference between continuous reinforcement and partial reinforcement?
continuous - reward every time the action is done (good for learning new behaviour)
partial - only rewarded sometimes e.g. once every 4 times (maintains behaviour)
operant conditioning strengths
- replicable
- highly controlled
-cause + effect
operant conditioning weaknesses - skinner’s box
- ecological validity
- ethical reasons
- tested on animals (don’t have free will / not like humans)
key features of social learning theory
1 - behaviour is explained through observational learning or modelling
2 - mostly lab experiments
3 - vicarious reinforcement can be motivated when learners observe role models
4 - mediating cognitive factors play an important role in observational learning
what is vicarious reinforcement
- observing consequences
- behaviour that brings reward is imitated
- observer must identify with model first
what are the 4 mediational processes
(for effective learning of a behaviour)
1 - attention
2 - retention (capacity to remember)
3 - reproduction (ability to reproduce behaviour)
4 - motivation (the likely consequences of behaviour)
BOBO doll experiment aim (Bandura)
to investigate if social beaviour can be acquired by observation and imitation
what was the bobo doll experiment method? (Bandura)
- two groups of children aged 3-5
- one group observed violent behaviour from an adult model
- the others observed a non aggressive model
- after exposure, children were shown toys but weren’t allowed to play with them
- then taken unto a room with toys including the doll
bobo doll experiment results (Bandura)
- children who observed the aggressive model reproduced violent and physical behaviour and verbal abuse
- other children displayed little aggression
- 1/3 of the negatively exposed children repeated verbal responses whilst none of the other children did
bobo doll conclusion
findings support Bandura’s social learning theory as children did observe and imitate model’s behaviour
SLT strengths
1 - practical application for real life = Akers suggests it helps identify and remove negative models for criminals
2 - takes into account cognitive factors (thinking before acting) - acknowledges role of mediational factors and that humans weigh up pros and cons
SLT limitations
1 - behaviour causes are more complex - disregards biological factors such as men having more testosterone
2 - relies heavily on lab experiments - may lack ecological validity and findings may not apply to every day behaviour
what is the definition of inference?
making logical conclusions based on evidence and reasoning
wat are the 3 key aspects of the cognitive approach?
1 - schemas
2 - theoretical and computer models
3 - cognitive neuroscience
what are schemas?
a package of beliefs and expectations on a specific topic based on prior experience
what are theoretical models?
how are they used to explain behaviour?
- simplified representations based of current research evidence
often in picture form - diagramed representations of steps in internal mental processes
what are computer models?
how are they used to explain behaviour?
- software simulations of internal mental processes
- info is passed through senses, encoded into memory and then encoded with previously stored info (schemas) to complete a task
what is cognitive neuroscience?
the study of the brain structure during mental processes
non invasive
helps understand how the brain becomes active in certain areas during certain circumstances
what are the 3 themes of Bartlett’s ‘distortion’ theory - schemas
Assimilation: adding new info to existing schemas
Levelling: The story also became shorter with each retelling
Sharpening: Participants also tended to change the order of the story to make sense of it using terms more familiar to their own culture. They also added detail and/or emotions.
what is vicarious reinforcement?
imitating someone’s behaviour based on them getting rewards
Cognitive approach strengths (AO1)
1 - very scientific - lab experiments mean that results are more likely to be reliable and can be replicated so large amounts of data can be collected and compared
2 - high internal validity - controlled extraneous variables so only the IV impacts the DV
3 - useful world application - used for therapy (CBT) and witness memory help. Has lead to treatments for illnesses such as depression, changes way of thinking
4 - ethics - experiments can be held on computers rather than animals or humans meaning more can be done which may not be suitable for humans
cognitive approach limitations (AO3)
1 - over simplified - theoretical models shorted complex processes into small boxes and doesn’t represent our minds
2 - ecological validity - lab experiments create unusual environments and do not represent real world experiments
3 - individual experience - doesn’t take into account individual uniqueness and how we all act differently
4 - computer models - computers do not accurately represent the human mind as we can make mistakes, forget things, able to ignore information and computers do not do this
key assumptions of biological approach
1 - chemical imbalance can affect behaviour
2 - evolution can affect b
3 - b can be inherited
4 - brain structure affects behaviour
what are the 4 main topics in the biological approach
1 - influence of genes
2 - biological structures (endocrine system)
3 - biological structures (neurons)
4 - neurochemistry
biological approach strengths
SCIENTIFIC - experimental so takes place in highly controlled environments, replicable, internal validity. Sophisticated imaging increases precision and objectivity
REAL WORLD APPLICATION - provides clear predictions about effects of neurotransmitters on behaviour. Led to research and development of drug treatment. Shows our genes can be adapted to fix unwanted behaviour
biological approach weaknesses
REDUCTIONALIST - reduces our complex human behaviour down to simple structures and separate components e.g. hormones and genes. Someone with depression will have more environmental causes
GENETIC SCREENING - could be future screening for genes that may increase criminal activity - discrimination against certain people
RELIANCE - knowledge could be used to blame criminal behaviour on our genetics
key assumptions of the psychodynamic approach
1 - mental disorders are caused by psychological factors
2 - behaviour is caused by unconscious motives and desirers
3 - abnormality arises from childhood experiences
4 - defence mechanisms protect us from effects of traumatic experiences
5 - heavily on case studies
what are the 3 parts of personality?
Id - the primitive, basic, and fully unconscious part of personality. It contains all of the unconscious energy that is directed toward fulfilling a person’s most basic needs (instincts)
Ego - develops from about 18 months
- reality/mediates between Id and superego (reality)
Superego - develops after the phallic stage and suppress entirely any urges or desires of the id that are considered wrong or socially unacceptable (morality)
what are the 3 defence mechanisms?
. denial
. repression
. displacement
what were freuds 5 psychosexual stages? and ages
1 - oral (aged 0-2)
2 - anal (age 2-3)
3 - phallic (age 3-6)
4 - latency (age 6-12)
5 - genital (age 12+)
explain the oral stage (freud)
sucking, biting, Id driven
problems: oral fixation or gullible
body part: mouth
explain the anal stage (freud)
ego starts to develop, if parents are not demanding about potty training, the child will be messy, disorganised
anal compulsive - child being forced to use toilet before ready
explain the phallic stage (freud)
focus on genitals
male child unconsciously likes their mum so boy identifies with father to avoid punishment form father
explain the latency stage (freud)
child develops mastery of world around them. Conflicts and issues of previous stages are repressed
explain the genital stage (freud)
Less fixated, easiest stage to go through
Ability to be warm and loving and ability to receive love with others
strengths of the psychodynamic approach?
1 - highlighted a widely accepted link between childhood experience with adult characteristics
2 - case studies embrace our complex behaviour by gathering info from individual expreience
3 - supports existence of ego defence mechanisms
4 - modern day therapy still uses Freudian psychoanalytic techniques
limitations of psychodynamic approach?
1 - overemphasized childhood experience being the root cause of adult problems
2 - culturally and sexually biased. different sexes and cultures would rather resolve issues in different ways. e.g. Chinese may not want to be as open with emotions
3 - case studies could become too emotionally involving, they are not very scientific or replicable and it’s hard to generalise to wider populations
what are the key assumptions of the humanistic approach?
- people have free will
- people are basically good
- people are motivated to self actualise
- subjective, and conscious experienced
outline the humanistic approach
It assumes peoples behaviour is as a result of their subjective feelings and their self concept (view on themselves)
What did Abraham Maslow believe?
- humans are motivated by needs beyond basic biological needs
- self-actualisation is important
- Maslow’s hierarchy of needs ranges from basic survival needs to nigher more personal ‘wants’
- all lower levels of hierarchy have to be met before individual can self actualise
what is self actualisation?
realisation or fulfillment of ones talents and potentialities
What did Carl Rogers say?
- we strive to become our ideal self because we are motivated to self improve
- given an unconditional positive during therapy means that people will develop a healthy sense of self worth
- children who receive negative regard tend to have low self esteem
what was the order of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs?
- Physiological
- Safety
- Love / belonging
- Esteem
- Self-actualisation
what is incongruence?
when perceived self and ideal self are far apart
What is client centered therapy? CCT
- The therapist is congruent with the client.
- The therapist provides the client with unconditional positive regard.
- The therapist shows an empathetic understanding to the client
Strengths of the humanistic approach
1- takes into account free will - less restrictive
2 - real life applications - Client centred therapy has proven to work on may patients over the years, Gibbard studied the impact of CCT on 700 mentally ill patients over five years and found that nearly 70% of participants showed significant improvements.
limitations of humanistic approach
unrealistic - it states that everyone has the opportunity to reach self actualisation however it ignores pessimism within people and also that some people are just grown up in environments where it may be extremely difficult if not impossible to reach a full positive view of themselves and everyone around them
doesn’t establish causality - most of the methods used to gather data used a non-experimental approach failing to establish a relationship between variables. So although studies do show that when a participant undergoes therapy they do tend do become better it is however very difficult to prove that one causes the other.
cultural - some cultures value different levels above others e.g. less developed countries would value physiological needs over love
what are the issues with introspection?
doesn’t explain how the mind works
uses peoples subjective thoughts
not necessarily reliable
factors to look at when deciding if psychology is a science
1 - objectivity
2 - control
3 - predictability
4 - hypothesis testing
5 - replication
strengths of using scientific methods to explain human behaviour
- tests assumptions about behaviour
- very reliant of objective and systematic methods so knowledge gained is reliable and has reasoning behind it
limitations of using scientific methods to explain behaviour
- not all psychologists believe behaviour can be observed in experiments
- human behaviour is too complex and unpredictable to narrow down
- most processes are unobservable
- too much inference
limitations of Wundt’s methods
- use of introspection and lack of empiricism
- cause of behaviour can’t be directly observed
- non-replicable so not reliable
- participants have to report on experiences which are non-observable
