Approaches

Question 1

What are the Main approaches of psychology

Answer 1

Behaviourism, Social Learning Theory (SLT), Cognitive, Biological, Pyschodynamics, Humanistic.

Question 2

Name the psychologists associated with each approach

Answer 2

Behaviourism - Pavlov, Skinner
SLT - Bandura
Cognitive - Loftus
Biological - Broca, Wernicke
Psychodynamics - Freud
Humanistic - Maslow, Rogers

Question 3

Give a short description on Behaviourism

Answer 3

Learning, training the brain to act a certain way. Example is Little Albert study. Association is important in this. Brain is shaped in life, behaviour is learnt from others, we are born a blank slate.

Question 4

Give a brief description on SLT

Answer 4

SLT is like behaviourism. Bandura agreed with behaviourists, but instead believed that we learn from observing others

Question 5

Give a brief description on the Cognitive approach

Answer 5

Mind works like a computer - Cognitive neuroscience
Thought processes occurs between stimulus and response (black box)

Question 6

Give a brief description of the Psychodynamic approach

Answer 6

Unconscious mind is our driving force - Instincts motivate behaviour - Sexual instinct from birth
Early childhood crucial in shaping who you are

Question 7

Give a brief description of the Humanistic approach

Answer 7

Every person is unique and makes their own decisions
-Life is dictated by choice
Self-actualization
-Free Will

Question 8

What are the 5 psychosexual stages

Answer 8

Oral
Anal
Phallic
Latency
Genitals

Question 9

What are the 3 components of the conscience in Psychodynamics

Answer 9

Id
Ego
Superego

Question 10

What is the role of the Id

Answer 10

The first of three parts of the personality to develop. Exists right from birth. The id is demanding (so we survive and gain pleasure) biological because instinctive, and acts on the pleasure principles. Can be thought of as being the true unconscious.

Question 11

What is the role of the Ego

Answer 11

The second part of the personality to develop (around the age of 1/2 years). The ego is rational, psychological and seeks to maintain balance between the demands of the id and control of the superego.

Question 12

What is the role of the superego

Answer 12

The third and last part of the personality to develop (around the age of 3/4 years). The superego is moral and social because it brings control of parents and society which has to take into account.

Question 13

Explain what occurs at the oral stage

Answer 13

The first of Freud’s psychosexual stages, where pleasure is centred on the mouth. The stage ends with weaning. Baby is selfish here, as only the id is developed.

Question 14

Explain what occurs at the anal stage

Answer 14

The second of Freud’s psychosexual stages, where pleasure is catered on the anus. Focus is on the toilet training and the stage ends with successful toilet training. Child learns it has control over its life via holding in its shit, thus the ego is developed.

Question 15

Explain what occurs at the phallic stage

Answer 15

The third of Freud’s psychosexual stages, where pleasure is catered on the genital areas. The child goes through the Oedipus or Electra complex, experiences castration fear or penis envy, and resolves the conflict by identifying with the same sex parent, so they ‘learn’ their gender.

Question 16

Explain what occurs at the latency stage

Answer 16

The time after the phallic stage and before puberty when desires are repressed and school, sport and same sex friendships are the focus.

Question 17

Explain what occurs at the genital stage

Answer 17

The fifth of Freud’s psychosexual stages, that occurs with puberty. If the libido (sexual energy) is left behind in the previous stages, then the person has not much energy for opposite sex friendships and relationships, which ought to be developing at this stage.

Question 18

What are the 3 most common types of defence mechanism

Answer 18

Repression, Displacement, Denial

Question 19

Give a brief explanation of denial

Answer 19

Trying to find logic in a scenario, not believing something has happened, pretending it hasn’t

Question 20

Give a brief explanation of repression

Answer 20

Regressing into a child-like state. Pushing down the emotions inside and instead trying to deal with them just ignore them.

Question 21

Give a brief explanation of displacement

Answer 21

When you are angry at someone you take your anger out on someone or something else that is an easier target e.g. kicking a bin

Question 22

Explain the Oedipus complex.

Answer 22

By Freud. At genital stage, boys in love with mother, see father as threat so want to kill him. Think that the father has cut of the mom’s penis and so get castration anxiety.

Question 23

What is the conscious mind

Answer 23

According to Freud, part of the mind that we know about and can access easily.

Question 24

What is the preconscious mind

Answer 24

According to Freud, part of the mind that we know about and can access easily.

Question 25

What is the unconscious mind

Answer 25

The area of the mind, according to Freud, that we cannot access, but that guides us strongly.

Question 26

What is the point of defense mechanisms

Answer 26

help the ego manage the conflict between the id and the superego

• provide compromise solutions (usually unconscious) to deal with unresolvable conflict
• provide a strategy to reduce anxiety (which weakens the ego’s influence)
• use of examples, eg through the use of denial/displacement/repression, to describe the role of defence mechanisms.