Approaches Flashcards
WUNDT and introspection
aim to document and describe the nature of human consciousness = INTROSPECTION
systematic reporting of an experience or object
focus on everydat obejct and look inwards to feeelings and images
breaking consciousness down - structuralism
used strict control conditions using the same stimulus - standardized instructions = replicable
what is introspection
- systematic analysis of ones own conscious experiences
-experiences are analyzed by breaking down into component parts (structalism) into thoughts, images and sensations
-people are trained to make data collected objective rather than subjective - people are presented with standardized events and asked to report their reactions
WATSON
questioned introspection - produced data that was subjective & varied greatly from person to person = difficult to establish basic principles (vague)
private mental thoughts cant be measured or observed
= BEHAVIOURIST APPROACH (emergence of psych as a science)
BEHAVIORIST assumptions
only studies behavior that can be observed and measured
- behavior is learnt form the environment
- animals and humans behave in the same way (animals can be used in research)
- scientific = use lab experiments
- CLASSICAL conditioning & OPERANT conditioning
BEHAVIORIST - classical conditioning
learning by association
dogs could be conditioned to salivate at the sound of a bell if that sound was repeatedly presented at the same time that they were given food.
PAVLOVS
food (unconditioned stimulus) - salivation (unconditioned response)
- bell (neutral stimulus) = no response
- Bell & food = salivation
- bell (conditioned stimulus) = salivation (conditioned response) ASSOCIATION
reflex response - immediate
BEHAVIORIST - operant conditioning
learning by consequence & an active process
3 types of consequences: positive reinforcement, (offering a reward)
negative reinforcement, (removing something unpleasant being taken away)
positive punishment (receiving something unpleasant)
negative punishment (removing something desirable)
SKINNER
rat in cage, pushed a lever it was positively reinforced by receiving food
learnt to go straight to the lever once put in the box
= positive reinforcement increases likely hood of behavior being repeated
STRENGHTS OF BEHAVIOURSIT APPROACH
application
increase our understanding of causes of phobias and attachment. improves therapy -
patients font have to think about their problems
token economy - positive reinforcement (earn tokens for privileges
STRENGHTS OF BEHAVIOURSIT APPROACH
experimental support
Pavlov showed that classical conditioning leads to learning by association.
Watson phobias can be learnt through classical conditioning in the “little Albert” experiment.
= increases validity
STRENGHTS OF BEHAVIOURSIT APPROACH
scientific
introduced the scientific methods to psychology. Laboratory experiments = high control of extraneous variables
= replicable & data obtained was objective
=psychology more credibility.
WEAKNESSES OF BEHAVIOURSIT APPROACH
animal studies
experiments were done on animals
humans are different cognitively and physiologically
humans have different social norms and moral values =we might behave differently from animals
= apply more to animals than to humans.
WEAKNESSES OF BEHAVIOURSIT APPROACH
free will
It sees people as passive in their learning with little conscious thoughts influencing their behavior (compared to other approaches)
free will ?`
SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY & BANDURA
assumptions
learn through observation and imitation of role model behavior ( some similar to ourselves; gender, age)
behaviorist + focuses on mental processes
people are active manipulators of environment
study humans rather than animals
SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY & BANDURA
explain meditational processes
Mediational processes are cognitive factors that influence learning and come between stimulus and response.
MODELLING=
-attention
-retention
- motor reproduction
-motivation
SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY & BANDURA
Bobo the doll
lab experiment.
Sample: American children, 72 children ages 3-6
group 1: aggressive behavior to the doll
group 2 : non aggressive behavior to the doll
group 3 : control group
-> taken to a room to play with the same doll and different toys
SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY & BANDURA
Bobo the doll - RESULTS
observed the aggressive model (group 1) were more aggressive than the children from the other two groups.
Imitated specific aggressive acts that were displayed by the model
Boys imitated more physically aggressive acts than girls
= SUPPORTS SLT
SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY
behavior from a role model is observed
(if its worth intimidating = identification)
behavior is intimidated ( needs self efficacy)
behavior is reinforced (direct or vicarious)
behavior is repeated
behavior is internalized into repertoire of behavior
SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY
reinforcment
direct: you are being rewarded
vicarious: model is rewarded for behavior
= more likely to repeat behavior
+ needs the belied that they can reproduce the behavior
SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY WEAKNESSES
lab + bobo
these were laboratory experiments and the task did not reflect the way the participants behave in their normal life.
lacks ecological validity
SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY STRENGHT
cultural differences
SLT can explain the difference of behavior between different cultures as if a behavior is not displayed it cannot be imitated, this can explain why groups such as the Amish are non-violent.
SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY STRENGHT
cognitive
It is a more complete explanation of human behavior than conditioning as it takes into account cognitive factors in learning.
COGNTIIVE APPROACHES
assumptions
how mental processes affect our behaviour
internal mental processes cant be observed directly but can infer based on how they act
role of schemas
computer science analogies - how we process information (input, store and retrieves)
combining cognitive processes and biological structures via cognitiveneuroscience
COGNTIIVE APPROACHES
role of schemas
a mental framework of beliefs and expectations developed from experiences. gets more detailed as get older
- help us organise and interpret information (quickly and effectively , prevent us being overwhelmed
BUT can lead to distortion, select schemas that may not be relevant
COGNTIIVE APPROACHES
cognitive neuroscience
scientific study of the influence of brain structure and chemistry that are responsivke for cognitive processes
use of brain scans and compare gainst neurotypical individuals
locate physicsal basis of cognitive processes in brain
STRENGTH OF COGNITIVE APPROACH
scientific method
lab experiments are controlled and replicable = results are reliable
scans are objective
STRENGTH OF COGNITIVE APPROACH
applications
useful and wide applications
used to explain eyewitness memories of events can be distorted
understand the causes of depression - proposes a therapy CBT
WEAKNESSES OF COGNITIVE APPROACH
reductionist
does not taken into account emotions and motivation which influence the processing of information and memory
eg: anxiety and eye witness accuracy
BIOLOGICAL APPROACH
assumptions
thinking and behaviour is determined by biological factors: structure and functioning of the nervous system
- genetic factors
-genes have evolved to adapt behaviour to the environment
mind lives in the brain (contrast to cognitive)
BIOLOGICAL APPROACH
genotype & phenotype
genotype: persons genetic makeup
phenotype: representation of genotype + environment (physical, behavior & psychological characteristics)
BIOLOGICAL APPROACH
evolution of behavior
natural selection:
genetically determined characteristics or behavior that enhances our chances of survival and reproduction = passed on to the next generation,
= more common in a population
+ traits which do not enhance survival will disappear
STRENGHTS OF BIOLOGICAL APPROACH
treatment
The understanding of the role of the role of neurotransmitters has led to the development of drugs which are effective in the treatment of mental disorders such as schizophrenia and depression.
STRENGHTS OF BIOLOGICAL APPROACH
scientific
It uses scientific research methods such as EEGs, fMRI and PET scans and twin studies. These produce objective data which can be replicated and peer reviewed.
WEAKNESSES OF BIOLOGICAL APPROACH
deterministic
The biological approach is determinist as it sees our behavior as caused entirely by biological factors over which we have no control. This encourages people not to take responsibility for their own actions and blame their genetic makeup.
BIOPSYCHOLOGY
the nervous system
specialized network of cells in the body
(internal communication system)
- collect, process , respond to information
- coordinate the working of different organs in the body
(CNS & PNS (peripheral nervous system)
BIOPSYCHOLOGY
the central nervous system
brain receives information from sensory receptors and sends messages to muscles and glands. It is the centre of all conscious awareness
- brain
-spinal cord (responsible for reflex actions)
BIOPSYCHOLOGY
the peripheral nervous system
transmits messages via neurones to and from the central nervous system
divided into:
-somatic nervous system (transmits sensory information from the body/sense receptors to the brain/CNS, transmits information from the brain via spinal cord to the muscles/effectors to produce movements)
-autonomic nervous system (governs vital functions in the body such a breathing , heart rate , digestion + stress responsive)
parasympathetic system
sympathetic system
BIOPSYCHOLOGY
peripheral nervous system -> autonomic nervous system -> sympathetic + para sympathetic nervous system
actions are model antagonist = they usefully work on opposition to each other
para - conserves energy = heart rate+ breathing kept low, digestion is kept high , glucose is removed from the blood and stored\
sympathetic- need to expend energy= heart rate + breathing kept high , digestive activity is low , glucose is released into the bloodstream
= adrenaline is released for flight or fight (protect body in stressful moments
*instant
-> when the threat has passed , parasympathetic nervous system returns everything back to normal
BIOPSYCHOLOGY
the endocrine system
in charge of body processes that happen slowly
triggers glands to produce hormones which are secreted into the bloodstream
BIOPSYCHOLOGY
neurones
transmit signals electrically + chemically
- motor
- sensory
-relay
cell body contains a nucleus
branch like structures - dendrites : carry nerve impulses to next neurone
axon carries impulse from the cell body down the neurone - covered in a myelin sheath (protects + speeds up)
BIOPSYCHOLOGY
what is structure of a neurones
transmit signals electrically + chemically
- motor
- sensory
-relay
cell body contains a nucleus
branch like structures - dendrites : carry nerve impulses to next neurone
axon carries impulse from the cell body down the neurone - covered in a myelin sheath (protects + speeds up)
BIOPSYCHOLOGY
neurones + synopses
gaps between neurones
signals between are passed chemically across the synapse
neurotransmitters diffuse across the synapse
BEHAVIOURIST- difference between classical and operant conditioning
- response is involuntary in CC but voluntary in OC
- responses are reinforced in OC but not in CC
- CC explains acquisition of response, OC explains maintenance of response
- CC is learned by association between 2 stimuli in time whereas OC is learning by association between response and consequences
psychodynamic assumptions
freud adopted use of psychic determinism- all behaviour is caused by unconscious internal conflicts we have no control of
* conscious
* preconscious
* unconscious - stores biological drives and instincts (hunger, thirst and sex and upsetting thoughts repressed from conscious)
only aware of our conscious- contents od preconscious are revealed through parapraxes, slips of tounge and dreaming
inferences of unconscious can be mafe through psychoanalysis and psychotherapy
Frueds tripatite personality
viewed personality as made up of 3 components
* Id
* ego
* supergo
define Id in tripartite personality
innate part of personality and operates on pleasure principle
Id constanly demand instant gratification
hunger thirtst- biological instincts
= conflcits with super ego
define superego triaprtite personality
formed at the end of the phalllic stage and operates on morality principle
contained childs internalised sense of right and wrong based on same sex parent.
in constant conflict with id
define Ego tripartite personality
formed during first 3 years of life
operates on reality principle
ego helps resolve the conflict between the id and the superego - use of defence mechanism - repression denial and displacement
strenght of unconscious depends on how efficently ego resolves conflict
psychosexual stages
nomothetic approach - series of developmental stages which all children progress in the same order
each stage characterised by a conflict which must be resolved to pass to the next stage (not latency)
failure = fixiation on that stage = dysfunctional behaviours associated with that stage are carried towards adulthood
(oedipus (boys) and electra (girls) complex)- idiophraphic case study of little hans but nomothetic application
evaluation of psychodynamic approach
unconscious concepts
unaware of unconscious = not possible to objectively and systematically measure it
= does not meet the scientific criterion for falsification = unfalsifable and pseudoscience
does not improve scientfic credibility
evaluation of psychodynamic approach
use of idiographic approach
oedipus and electra complexes were based on individual case studies and interviews
- participants selected to be subjects are often some kind of psychological interest = does not represent experiences of general population = lacks ecological validity
collects qualitative data = subjective conclusions = possible researcher bias = limited application
evaluation of psychodynamic approach
praticial application
psychotherapy and psychoanalysis has made long lasting contribution towards treatments of various mental disorders -
focus on importance of childhood for mental health
define oral stage of psychosexual development
0-1
focus on libido mouth tounge lips
development - weaning off of breast feeding or formula
adult fixation- smoking overeating
define anal stage of psychosexual development
1-3
anus
development- toilet training
adult fixation- oderliness, messiness
define phallic stage of psychosexual development
3-6
genitals
major development- resolving oedipus/ electra complex
adult fixation- deviancy, sexual dysfucntion
define latency stage of psychosexual development
6-12
no focus on libido
development- developing defense mechanism
adult fixation - none
define genital stage of psychosexual development
12+
gential focus
major developmemt- reaching full sexual maturity
adult fixation- if all stages completed = person should be sexually mature and mentally healthy
assumption of humanistic approach
- free will and we are masters of our own development = ignore influence of internal and external factors of behaviour
- sees self actualisation as achieved by being top level of maslows heirarhcy of needs - crucial
- able to progress through heirarchy of needs and better ourselves
humanistic approach- incongruence and self actualisation
self concept - describes all the ideas and values we have about ourselves- perceptions of our abiliites
ideal self- perception of the best version
if there is too large a gap = incongruence = negative feelings of low self worth, esteem = prevent from progressing through maslows heirarhcy = not achive self actualisation
self actualisation = innate desier we have to become best version of ourselves through personal and psychological growth
humanistic approach
Rogerian therapy- conditions of worth and maslows heirarchy of needs
aims to reduce gap between self and ideal self = help achieve congurence and self actualisation
- low self esteem originates in childhood - adults restrict love to children by imposing conditions of worth eg: i will be proud only if you get an A”
describe a good therapist as being open genuine empathetic and provide uncondition positive regard that patient lacked in childhood
unconditional positive regard
patients are encourgaed to arrive at their own solutions to problems with help of therpaist
evaluation of humanistic approach
pratical application to therapy
client centered therapy
beenfical because reocngises that patients have free will and have ability to improve themselves
*constrast to Freuds - no free wiill
BUT not suitbale for treating depression or schizophrenia
evaluation of humanistic approach
holism
is holsitic as looks at whole subjective experience from a child to present
alternative to cognitive and biological approach
evaluation of humansitic approach
untestifiable
lacks empiracal evidence - cant systematically observe or measurable process
self actualisation cannot be measured as is unique and individual differences = different meaning individually
congruence is up to personal judgement
- little improvement to psychologys scientific credibility
evaluation of humanistic approach
culture
ideas of self actulisation may be more readily accepted by western groups - indivudalist culture
can be seen as selfish from eastern cultures
processes of synaptic transmission
- electrical impulses reach presynamptic terminal
- trigger release of neurotransmitters from synaptic vesseles
- neurotransmitters diffuse across synaptic celft
- neurotransmitters bind to receptors of post synaptic transmision
