approaches Flashcards

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1
Q

define the biological approach.

A

biological approach views humans as biological organisms and provides biological explanations of all aspects of psychological functioning.

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2
Q

how do genes influence behaviour.

A

genes are passed down from one generation to the next. genes carry instructions for particular characteristics. how characteristics develop is partly influenced by environment

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3
Q

define genotype

A

genetic code written in an individuals dna

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4
Q

define phenotype

A

physical appearance that results from this inherited information

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5
Q

Name two biological structures that influence behaviour

A

nervous system and the brain

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6
Q

What does the nervous system do?

A

carries messages from one part of the body to another using individual nerve cells called neurons.

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7
Q

how does neurochemistry influence behaviour?

A

nerve impulses release a neurotransmitter. neurotransmitters either trigger or inhibit nerve impulses

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8
Q

what is an excitatory neurotransmitter?

A

a nerve impulse that stimulates the brain into action

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9
Q

what is an inhibitory neurotransmitter?

A

nerve impulse that calms the brain

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10
Q

define hormones

A

hormones are chemicals that are produced by endocrine glands eg the pituitary gland.

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11
Q

what are the four lobes in the brain?

A

frontal lobe
temporal lobe
parietal lobe
occipital lobe

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12
Q

state an evaluative point for the biological approach. method of research.

A

uses scientific method, highly controlled environment. other researcher are able to replicate rearward studies. adds validity if research can be reproduced adds validity.

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13
Q

state an evaluative point of the biological approach. application

A

application of the biological research in the real world. research into the role of neurochemical imbalance in depression has led to effective drug treatment.

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14
Q

state a evaluative point for the biological approach. evolutionary.

A

a problem for evolutionary explanations is that human behaviour can evolve through either genetic or cultural routes, the biological explanation may have limited explanatory power.

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15
Q

state an evaluative point for the biological approach. dangers of genetic explanations .

A

rearward suggesting a genetic basis for criminal behaviour has led to concerns about how this information might be used. could lead to discrimination

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16
Q

what is the basic assumption of the psychodynamic approach.

A

behaviour is determined by psychological factors, people are brown with basic instincts and needs and that behaviour is in large part controlled by the unconscious mind.

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17
Q

define the id

A

operates solely in the unconscious. contains the libido. demands immediate gratification regardless of circumstances.

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18
Q

define the ego

A

mediated between the impulsive demands of the id and the moralistic demands of the superego.

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19
Q

define the superego.

A

internalisation of societal rules, determines which behaviour is acceptable and causes feelings of guilt when rules are broken

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20
Q

what are defence mechanisms ?

A

if an individual is faced with a situation you are unable to deal with defence mechanisms may be triggered, these stop the individuals becoming aware of the unpleasant thoughts.

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21
Q

name 3 defence mechanisms.

A

repression, unconscious blocking
denial, refusal to accept reality
displacement, redirecting of thoughts or feelings

22
Q

what are the psychosexual stages?

A

freud created a stage theory that shows the development of personality and emphasises the importance of releasing sexual energy.

23
Q

what is the first stage of the psychosexual stage theory?

A

oral- 0-2 years. mouth is focal point of sensation.

24
Q

what is the second stage of the psychosexual stage theory?

A

anal- 2-3 years. beginning of ego development. becomes aware of control. toilet training as the child learns to control expulsion of bodily waste

25
Q

what is the third stage of the psychosexual stage theory?

A

phallic- 2-3years. energy is focused on genitals. oedipus complex may form. unconscious wish to posses mother and rid the father. child thinks father is aware of this thought and identifies with the father to try and resolve this.

26
Q

what is the fourth stage of the psychosexual stage theory?

A

latent-6-12 years. child develops mastery of the world. conflict and issues of previous stages are repressed therefore child is unable to remember much of their early years.

27
Q

what is the last stage of the psychosexual stage theory?

A

genital- 12+. fixing of sexual energy in the genitals. eventually the w every settles towards sexual inter course and beginning of adult life.

28
Q

state an evaluative point for the psychodynamic approach. pioneering approach

A

psychoanalysis as an explanation of human behaviour represented a dramatic shift in psychological thinking. suggests new methodological procedures for gathering evidence.

29
Q

state an evaluative point for the psychodynamic approach. scientific support

A

critics claim that there is no scientific evidence for the psychoanalysis. Fisher and Greenberg summarised 2,500 studies and concluded that experimental studies of psychoanalysis compare well with studies relevant to any other major area of psychology.

30
Q

state an evaluative point for the psychodynamic approach. gender bias

A

freuds views of women and femal sexuality were less developed than his views on male sexuality. problematic bc freud treated many female patients .

31
Q

state an evaluative point for the psychodynamic approach. culture biased

A

critics argue that psychoanalysis has little relevance for people from non western cultures. eg in china if you are depressed you avoid thoughts rather than discuss them

32
Q

what is the basic assumption of the humanistic approach.

A

focuses on conscious experience rather than behaviour and it emphasises that people have full conscious control over their own destiny. “free will”

33
Q

state maslow hierarchy of needs.

A
self actualisation 
esteem 
love/ belonging 
safety 
physiological
34
Q

what is congruence?

A

if there is a similarity between a persons ideal self and self image, a state of congruence exists.

35
Q

define introspection

A

the process by which a person gains knowledge about their own mental and emotion states as a result of observation of their conscious thoughts and feelings

36
Q

define empiricism

A

the belief that all knowledge is derived from sensory experience

37
Q

who is wilhelm wundt?

A

first person to call himself a psychologist

38
Q

what were the mains aspects of wudnts belief?

A

all aspects of nature, including the human mind could be studied scientifically
break down behaviours such as sensation and perception into their basic elements

39
Q

what was the new scientific approach two based assumption ?

A

all behaviour is seen as being caused and if behaviour is determined it should be possible to predict how humans behave

40
Q

define scientific method

A

refers to the use of investigative methods that are objective, systematic and replicable, and the formulation, testing and modification of hypotheses based on these methods

41
Q

state a criticism of wundts methods.

A

unreliable, approach relies on primarily no observable responses. lack of reliability of his methods

42
Q

evaluate the use of the scientific approach in wundts emergence of science.

A

relies on objective and systematic methods of observation. able to establish the causes of behaviour through methods that are empirical and replicable

43
Q

evaluate introspection

A

Nisbett claims that we have very little knowledge of the causes and processes underlying our behaviour and attitudes.self reports through introspection do not uncover implicit attitudes and behaviours

44
Q

basic assumption of the behaviourist approach.

A

focuses on observable events
labelled as learning theory as behaviourist belief that much of human behaviour could be explained through learning known as conditioning

45
Q

what did pavlova research find?

A

discovered classical conditioning.
found that UCS with UCR
NS+ UCS= UCR
CS= CR

46
Q

evaluate classical conditioning. RWA

A

applied in developement of treatment for the reduction of anxiety associated with various phobias

47
Q

add another evaluation for classical conditioning

A

CS and UCS are more difficult to establish. CC may be more appropriate in the learning of specific types of association.

48
Q

what is positive reinforcement

A

behaviour produces consequence that is satisfying

49
Q

what is negative reinforcement

A

remove something unpleasant

50
Q

what is skinners study

A

rat in box
presses lever food is dispensed
rat receives positive reinforcement of food so it does it again

51
Q

strength of skinner. experimental

A

uses experimental method, able to establish cause and effect

52
Q

limitation of skinner. human

A

over reliance on non human research. humans have free will, animals don’t. skinner claims humans don’t have free will merely an illusion