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Psychology > 5. Approaches in Psychology > Flashcards

5. Approaches in Psychology Flashcards

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1
Q

What is the belief of the behaviourist approach?

A

All behaviour is learnt - learnt through stimulus response; nothing is innate.

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2
Q

What is classical conditioning?

A

Learning through association.
(you have two stimuli, you associate them with one another, generating a response)

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3
Q

Formula for classical conditioning?

A

Neutral Stimulus + Unconditioned Stimulus → Unconditioned Response

Conditioned Stimulus → Conditioned Response

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4
Q

Key classical conditioning studies?

A

1) Pavlov and his dog
2) Little Albert and rats

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5
Q

What happened in Pavlov’s study?

A

Bell (NS) + Food (UCS) → Salivation (UCR)

Bell (CS) → Salvation (CR)

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6
Q

Problems with Pavlov’s study?

A

Animal research cannot by generalised to humans → humans have higher cognition / emotions than animals.

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7
Q

What happened in the Little Albert experiment?

A

Rat (NS) + Loud noise (UCS) → Fear (UCR)

Rat (CS) → Fear (CR)

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8
Q

What happened to Albert as a result of the classical conditioning?

A

Stimulus generalisation - fear of anything related to what you are conditioned to fear. → Albert became scared of anything white and fluffy

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9
Q

What is operant conditioning?

A

Learning through rewards and consequences.

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10
Q

What is positive reinforcement?

A

Positive reinforcement - additions of something pleasant strengthens behaviours.

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11
Q

What is negative reinforcement?

A

Negative reinforcement - removal of an unpleasant stimulus strengthens behaviour.

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12
Q

Experiment that studied operant conditioning?

A

Skinner’s Box

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13
Q

How did Skinner teach positive reinforcement?

A
  • He placed a rat inside a box, the box had a lever.
  • Each time the leaver was pressure a food pellet was released - this is positive reinforcement.
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14
Q

How did Skinner teach negative reinforcement?

A
  • In a second box there was an electric current that could be run through it and a lever - every now and again Skinner would run current through the box.
  • In response the rat would press the lever to turn off the current - this is negative reinforcement.
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15
Q

Strengths of Skinner’s research?

A
  • Practical application is a strength as we know the theory works in everyday life - token economies - makes research credible.
  • Highly scientific - helps to establish cause and effect relationships - easily repeated means more reliability.
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16
Q

Weaknesses of Skinner’s research?

A
  • The approach is short term effective - whilst part of the system you will behaviour well - this leads to questions over ethics: is it right to take basics from people to be earnt back.
  • The experiments lack ecological validity.
  • Test carried out on animals so there are low level of generalisability as you cannot apply research to humans.
  • It ignores cognition because behaviourists don’t believe in studying the unobservable - it is a very mechanistic view of behaviour.
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17
Q

Belief of the biological approach?

A

All behaviour is strongly influenced by our genetic make-up and genetic inheritance. Behaviour is not learned from others around you.

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18
Q

Features of the biological approach?

A
  1. Humans and their behaviour has evolved.
  2. Influenced by genetic make-up and genetic inheritance.
  3. Uses biological structure to explain behaviour.
  4. Uses twin studies to study behaviour - MZ (identical twins) and DZ (non-identical).
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19
Q

How is the biological approach different to the behaviourist approach?

A

This is different to the behaviourist approach as this approach believes in the ‘nature’ over ‘nurture’ approach.

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20
Q

What structures in the body will the biological approach use to explain human behaviour?

A
  • Evolution - the change in the genetic makeup of a species over time.
  • Neurochemistry - how hormones and neurotransmitters interact.
  • Endocrine system - controls all the glands in our body.
  • Genetics and inheritance
  • Brain & CNS
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21
Q

How does the idea of evolution explain the behaviourist approach?

A

Evolution carries the belief that the ‘weaker genes’ die out and adaptive genes survive. Human behaviour therefore has become ‘wired in’ because of evolution.

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21
Q

If behaviour was been ‘wired in’ what does it suggest human behaviour should be?

A

If we have evolved to have ‘wired in’ behaviour that suggests behaviour is universal.

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22
Q

What are ‘universal’ behaviour?

A

→ Aggression
→ Facial expressions (smiling)

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23
Q

What are maladaptive behaviours?

A

Those that hinder you from adapting to or coping with situations or stressors in healthy ways.

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24
Q

Examples of maladaptive behaviours?

A

→ Depression
→ Schizophrenia
→ OCD
→ Eating disorders.

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25
Q

What experimental studies does the behaviourist approach use?

A

→ Family studies - same environment, similar genetics.
→ Twin studies - preferably MZ twins (same genetics).
→ Adoption studies - especially with MZ twins - same genetics, different environments.

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26
Q

Strengths of the biological approach?

A

1) The approach uses scientific methods - adds reliability.
2) Real world applications.
3) Provides simplistic explanations - easy testing.
4) Clear predictions - we can reject ideas easily.

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27
Q

Weaknesses of the biological approach?

A

1) Correlational conclusions - lowers the validity.
2) Too deterministic - suggests we have no ‘free will’
3) Difficult to separate nature and nurture.
4) Too simplistic - ignores complexity of human cognition.

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28
Q

How does a deterministic approach to psychology have an impact on society?

A

If we accept behaviours are biologically driven then our whole system of law becomes flawed. In the UK we work upon the basis that everyone who commits a crime has the free will and makes the choice to commit that offence; if this approach is taken to be true then that system would fall apart.

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29
Q

Belief of the cognitive approach?

A

All behaviour is driven by internal mental processes.

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30
Q

Examples on internal mental processes?

A

→ Memory
→ Rehearsal
→ Attention
→ Decision making

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31
Q

Practical applications of the cognitive approach?

A

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) → faulty cognition leads to atypical behaviour, so to change behaviour we must first change the cognition behind it.

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32
Q

Features of the cognitive approach?

A
  • Human computer analogies
  • Theoretical models
  • Inference
  • Schemas
  • Cognitive neuroscience
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33
Q

What are human computer analogies?

A

Belief that the human brain is like a computer.
Model:
In humans: stimulus → process (mediator) → response.
In computer: input → process → output.

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34
Q

What are theoretical models?

A

These are abstract models of cognition e.g. information processing model.

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35
Q

What is inference?

A
  • We make an assumption based on available evidence.
  • But cognition is unobservable therefore inference can be misinterpreted.
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36
Q

What are schemas?

A
  • An internal package of ideas to help us interpret the world around us.
  • Mental shortcut.
  • Basic schemas become more sophisticated through experience.
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37
Q

What is cognitive neuroscience?

A
  • Map cognition to areas of the brain.
  • We can do this through neurosurgery, brain scans (fMRI, PET scans).
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38
Q

Strengths of the cognitive approach?

A
  • Highly scientific: high level of reliability - no extraneous variables.
  • Practical applications: e.g. eye witness testimony, education.
  • Soft determinism: some choice in what/how we remember.
39
Q

Weaknesses of the cognitive approach?

A
  • Artificial environments: low ecological validity.
  • Dehumanising: machine reductionism - no acknowledgment of emotions.
  • Soft determinism: controlled by factors beyond your control.
40
Q

Belief of SLT?

A

Behaviour is learned by observing others around you.

41
Q

What side of the nature nurture argument does SLT fall on?

A

Nurture

42
Q

What is a model and modelling in SLT?

A

A model is any person who shows examples of behaviour. Modelling is the copying of behaviour.

43
Q

What is identification in SLT?

A

Attaching oneself to a model because they have qualities you like.

44
Q

What is imitation in SLT?

A

Imitating a behaviour that has been shown by a model who you have identified with.

45
Q

What is reinforcement in SLT?

A

The consequences of behaviour. Behaviour followed by positive reinforcement is strengthened and is likely to continue.

46
Q

What is vicarious learning?

A

Modelling a behaviour that you have seen being reinforced because you want to receive similar reinforcement.

47
Q

Strengths of SLT?

A

1) Acknowledges the importance of cognitive factors - more complex.
2) Real world applications - can explain cultural differences.

48
Q

Weaknesses of SLT?

A

1) Underestimated the influence of biological factors.
2) Generalised behaviours.
3) Artificial environments.

49
Q

Aim of Bandura’s Bobo Doll study?

A

If social behaviours (i.e., aggression) can be acquired by observation and imitation.

50
Q

How were the 72 children divided in Bandura’s study?

A

A lab experiment was used, in which the independent variable (the type of model) was manipulated in three conditions:
→ Aggressive model is shown to 24 children
→Non-aggressive model is shown to 24 children
→ No model is shown (control condition) – 24 children

51
Q

Conclusions drawn from Bandura’s SLT experiment?

A
  • Boys are more likely to imitate aggressive behaviour than girls.
  • When shown aggressive behaviour children were likely to copy.
52
Q

Strengths of Bandura’s study?

A
  • Led to debate about shown violence on TV.
  • Highly scientific and controlled.
53
Q

Weaknesses of Bandura’s study?

A
  • Methodology: no long term checks.
  • Internal validity.
  • Low generalisability.
  • Poor ethics.
54
Q

What is the main belief of the humanism approach?

A

Humanistic psychology begins with the existential assumptions that people have free will and are motivated to achieve their potential and self-actualize.

55
Q

What is self-actualisation?

A

Self-actualisation represents the top level of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs - this is when we fulfil our full potential.

56
Q

Measures of self-actualisation?

A

(1) Continued freshness of appreciation,
(2) Acceptance,
(3) Authenticity,
(4) Equanimity,
(5) Purpose,
(6) Truth Seeking,
(7) Humanitarianism,
(8) Peak Experiences,
(9) Good Moral intuition,
(10) Creative Spirit.

57
Q

What are the limitations of self-actualisation?

A

It is highly subjective - how can you define someone’s full potential.

58
Q

What idea did Carl Rogers propose?

A

For personal growth to be achieved an individual’s concept of ‘real self’ must be broadly equivalent to, or have congruence with their ‘ideal self’.

59
Q

What occurs, according to Rogers, if there is a gap between the ‘real’ and ‘ideal’ self?

A

If too big a gap exists between the two ‘selves’ the person will not be able to experience self-actualisation.

60
Q

What is the ‘real’ self?

A

The way they see themselves.

61
Q

What is the ‘ideal’ self?

A

The person they want to be.

62
Q

What does incongruence stem from?

A
  • A lack of unconditional love.
  • Parents who set conditions of worth.
63
Q

How can we make the real and ideal self-more congruent?

A

Through therapies - Rogers saw one of his roles as an effective therapist as being able to prove his clients with unconditional positive regard that they had failed to receive as a child.

64
Q

What is the Q-sort?

A

Where you measure yourself on a series of traits - demonstrates how congruent you are.

65
Q

What is the Q-sort for?

A

It is a quantitative measure - allows for analysis and comparison. Aims to be more object as the humanist approach is often criticised for being too subjective.

66
Q

What is holism?

A

Understanding the individual as a whole rather than component parts.

67
Q

Strengths of the Humanistic approach?

A
  1. Its holistic approach.
  2. Behaviour is considered in a real-world context.
  3. Positive about human behaviour.
68
Q

Limitations of the humanistic approach?

A
  1. The ideas represent cultural bias.
  2. Concepts are untestable.
  3. Lack of practical applications.
  4. Unrealistic view of humans.
69
Q

What is the belief of the psychodynamic approach?

A

All behaviour is driven by the unconscious mind.

70
Q

What are the three parts of the personality?

A

ID, Ego and Superego.

71
Q

What are the three defence mechanisms?

A

Denial, displacement and repression.

72
Q

What are the three levels of the mind?

A

The conscious, the pre-conscious and the unconscious.

73
Q

What are the five psychosexual stages?

A

Oral, anal, phallic, latent and genital

74
Q

What happens, according to Freud if you get stuck in one of the psychosexual stages?

A

You become fixated, and this would become apparent in your adult personality.

75
Q

When does the ID part of the personality appear?

A

The ID is present from before birth.

76
Q

When does the ego part of the personality appear?

A

Between 18 months and 3 years.

77
Q

When does the superego part of the personality appear?

A

Between 3 and 6 years.

78
Q

What is the ID part of our personality in control of?

A

All our biological needs – sex, food/water, death.

79
Q

What is the ego part of our personality in control of?

A

The rational part of our personalities.

80
Q

What is the superego part of our personality in control of?

A

Acts as a moral guide – to control the ID.

81
Q

What behaviour is the ID linked to?

A

Aggression.

82
Q

What behaviour is the ego linked to?

A

Rational thinking, problem solving.

83
Q

What behaviour is the superego linked to?

A

Feeling guilt and shame.

84
Q

What principle is the ID linked with?

A

The pleasure principle.

85
Q

What principle is the ego linked with?

A

Reality principle.

86
Q

What principle is the superego linked with?

A

Moral principle.

87
Q

What are defence mechanisms?

A

Unconscious strategies to reduce anxiety and protect us from unwelcome ideas.

88
Q

Which part of the personality are defence mechanisms designed to protect?

A

The ego.

89
Q

Denial defence mechanism definition?

A

Rejecting and refusing to accept reality.

90
Q

Displacement defence mechanism definition?

A

Redirecting emotions from the actual target to a substitute.

91
Q

Repression defence mechanism definition?

A

Hiding an unpleasant or undesirable thought or memory from the conscious mind.

92
Q

When does the oral psychosexual stage occur?

A

0-1 years

93
Q

When does the anal psychosexual stage occur?

A

1-3 years

94
Q

When does the phallic psychosexual stage occur?

A

3-5 years

95
Q

When does the latency psychosexual stage occur?

A

5-12 years

96
Q
A

Psychology (12 decks)

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