Approaches Flashcards
What are the Main approaches of psychology
Behaviourism, Social Learning Theory (SLT), Cognitive, Biological, Pyschodynamics, Humanistic.
Name the psychologists associated with each approach
Behaviourism - Pavlov, Skinner
SLT - Bandura
Cognitive - Loftus
Biological - Broca, Wernicke
Psychodynamics - Freud
Humanistic - Maslow, Rogers
Give a short description on Behaviourism
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.
Give a brief description on SLT
SLT is like behaviourism. Bandura agreed with behaviourists, but instead believed that we learn from observing others
Give a brief description on the Cognitive approach
Mind works like a computer - Cognitive neuroscience
Thought processes occurs between stimulus and response (black box)
Give a brief description of the Psychodynamic approach
Unconscious mind is our driving force - Instincts motivate behaviour - Sexual instinct from birth
Early childhood crucial in shaping who you are
Give a brief description of the Humanistic approach
Every person is unique and makes their own decisions
-Life is dictated by choice
Self-actualization
-Free Will
What are the 5 psychosexual stages
Oral
Anal
Phallic
Latency
Genitals
What are the 3 components of the conscience in Psychodynamics
Id
Ego
Superego
What is the role of the Id
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.
What is the role of the Ego
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.
What is the role of the superego
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.
Explain what occurs at the oral stage
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.
Explain what occurs at the anal stage
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.
Explain what occurs at the phallic stage
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.
Explain what occurs at the latency stage
The time after the phallic stage and before puberty when desires are repressed and school, sport and same sex friendships are the focus.
Explain what occurs at the genital stage
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.
What are the 3 most common types of defence mechanism
Repression, Displacement, Denial
Give a brief explanation of denial
Trying to find logic in a scenario, not believing something has happened, pretending it hasn’t
Give a brief explanation of repression
Regressing into a child-like state. Pushing down the emotions inside and instead trying to deal with them just ignore them.
Give a brief explanation of displacement
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
Explain the Oedipus complex.
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.
What is the conscious mind
According to Freud, part of the mind that we know about and can access easily.
What is the preconscious mind
According to Freud, part of the mind that we know about and can access easily.
What is the unconscious mind
The area of the mind, according to Freud, that we cannot access, but that guides us strongly.
What is the point of defense mechanisms
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.
