approaches Flashcards
what is Wundt known as
the father of psychology
what did Wundt do
- set up first psychology lab
- wrote first academic journal and textbook
- promoted the use of introspection as a way of studying mental processes
what is introspection
systematic analysis of own conscious experience of stimuli
strengths of Wundt
- partly scientific, introspections within a controlled lab setting using standardised methods
what are limitations of Wundt
- self reporting was subjective
- Introspection isn’t as valid as many aspects of our minds, outside of our conscious awareness, e.g Nisbett and Wilson researched the halo affect
what are the key points of behaviourism
- only concerned with observable behaviour that can be measured (not internal mental processes)
- controlled lab study’s used to remove bias and maintain objectivity
- animals used as experimental subjects because processes that govern learning are the same in all species
what is classical conditioning
learning through association
what is operant conditioning
learning through consequences
strengths of behaviourism
- scientific, gave psychology credibility, objective measures
- rwa, used for treatments for phobias sd, used in prisons token economy’s (link to gilroy et al)
limitations of behaviourism
- machine reductionism, ignores emotions, meditational processes ?
- environmental determinism, just the product of our conditioning, ignores conscious decision making
- issues with generalisation
what is the social learning theory
indirect learning through observation and imitation of role models in a social context
what is vicarious reinforcement
Observation of the consequences of behaviour. Rewarded behaviour more likely to be copied
what are meditational processes
Internal mental processes involved between stimulus and response. Attention (focus on it), retention (code into memory), motor reproduction (belief it can be copied), motivation (benefits outweigh costs)
what is identification
people imitate role models they identify with (similar age, high status, attractive, likeable, gender)
what was Bandura et al
Lab experiment. Children watched video of aggressive or non-aggressive adult. Children’s behaviour recorded in room
Hostile acts and novel language, e.g. ‘Pow’, copied
what did Bandura and walters do
Three conditions: Aggressive model praised; aggressive model punished; aggressive model no consequence.
Imitation depends on consequences. Praised copied most
strengths of slt
- importance of cognitive factors recognised, less reductionist
- less deterministic, allows for some choice in behaviour
limitations of slt
- underestimates the role of biology, boys more aggressive, due to testosterone
- demand characteristics, children may have thought they we’re supposed to hit the doll, is it really testing aggression, lacks internal validity
what is the main idea of the biological approach
everything psychological is first biological
mind and body are one and the same, the mind lives in the brain therefore all thoughts have a physical basis
genes
they affect behaviour, psychological characteristics (e.g intelligence) are inherited so specific genes are implicated in disorders e.g gene 9 and ocd
how is genetic basis of behaviour studied
twin studies
concordance rate between twins is calculated
what are genotype and phenotype
genotype = genetic makeup
phenotype = Expression of genes/their characteristics, resulting from interaction between genes & environment
how does the theory of evolution support the biological approach
genetically determined behaviour that enhances survival and reproduction is naturally selected, Darwin (1859). Such genes are adaptive
neurochemistry
Neurochemistry can affect thinking and behaviours. Abnormal levels of neurotransmitters and hormones can affect mood. E.g. Low serotonin is linked to depression
strengths of bio approach
- rwa, development of drugs e.g SSRIs, Soomro et al 70% effective
- uses obbjective methods, improves validity and credibility
limitations of bio approach
- biological determinism, no free will, at odds with the legal system as it implies no responsibility
- nature and nurture are difficult to separate, MZ twins share more similar environments
- evolution is difficult to test, not possible to show evolution happening only that it has taken place (unfalsifiable)
what does the cognitive approach argue
Internal mental processes can and should be studied
how are mental processes observed
by making inferences (assumptions/conclusions) about mental processes that go beyond the behaviour observed in research
what visual is used to understand this approach
theoretical models
visual representations/diagrams to explain information processing
what is computer analogy
the brain works like a computer
information is coded and stored
what are schema
packages of information / units of knowledge developed through experience. They provide a mental framework for us to interpret information. They become more detailed and sophisticated as we age (assimilation & accommodation)
what is cognitive neuroscience
scientific study of the influence of brain structures (‘neuro’) on internal mental process (‘cognitive’) using brain scans, such as fMRI and EEG
strengths of the cognitive approach
- Real life application– developed treatments, e.g Beck and CBT. CBT is effective (March et al. - depression), so the approach helps people
- uses scientific methods. Controlled methods such as lab experiments, e.g. Loftus and Palmer investigate EWT. This established a credible, scientific basis
limitations of the cognitive approach
- Cognitive approach based on machine reductionism. Similarities to computing are inputs/outputs. But emotion and anxiety shown to affect memory
- relies on inference so not fully scientific.
what is the role of the unconscious
conscious (aware of), pre-conscious (may become aware of), unconscious. Unconscious is a very important influence on our behaviour (hard determinist). A storehouse of repressed memories, instincts, biological drives
what is the tripartite structure of personality
Personality is a consequence of dynamic interaction between id, ego and superego. Imbalances cause mental health issues
ID: pleasure principle, from birth, urges/instincts/selfish.
EGO: reality principle, mediator between id and superego,5/6yr, uses defence mechanisms.
SUPEREGO: morality principle, 3yr, punishes ego with guilt
what are defence mechanisms
Reduce anxiety. Used unconsciously.
examples of defence mechanisms
Displacement – transfer feelings from true source to
substitute target.
Denial – reject an aspect of reality;
Repression – force memories into unconscious.
what are the psychosexual stages
Fixed biological phases that people progress through that determine adult personality. Each stage has a pleasure focus and conflict to be resolved, failure to resolve conflict leads to ‘fixation’
Oral (0-18m), anal (1-3), phallic (3-6), latency (6-12), genital (puberty). Oedipus complex occurs in the phallic stage in boys, Electra complex in girls
strengths of the psychodynamic approach
- Real life application– Led to successful treatment, i.e. psychoanalysis (includes dream analysis, free association, transference). de Maat et al.’s (2009) review showed significant, long lasting improvements in symptoms. Therefore it is a useful approach
- Evidence. Fisher and Greenburg (1996) found 2500 studies supporting defence mechanisms and role of unconscious. Therefore, parts stands up well compared to other approaches. Also, case studies
limitations of the psychodynamic approach
- Freud relied on case studies, e.g. Little Hans, Dora and the Rat Man. Although detailed, they’re his subjective interpretation. Therefore, it is not possible to make universal interpretations
- Psychic determinism Unconscious conflicts determines behaviour. No free will – extreme view
- Gender bias, focused on male experience e.g. Oedipus complex. Freud said he was ignorant of female sexuality. This is a problem as he treated many women. So was this appropriate?
what does the humanistic approach suggest
Free will - Focuses on studying subjective experience of unique individuals . They reject scientific methods.
what are mallows hierarchy of need
Self-actualistation is innate tendency to want to achieve our full potential. Four deficiency needs met before ‘growth need’.
Physiological>safety> love/belonging> esteem> self-actualisation.
what is focus on self
self refers to ‘I’, ‘me, ‘what I am’ and ‘what I can do’
what is congruence
the fit/match between our ideal-self and perceived- self. Client centred therapy (CTT) is to enhance congruence (‘close the gap’) to help achieve self-actualisation (Rogers)
what are conditions of worth
worthlessness/ low self-esteem originate in childhood and a lack of unconditional positive regard. A parent who sets boundaries of love (conditions of worth) is preventing growth and causes psychological problems for the child in the future.
what is the type of therapy suggested by the humanistic approach
Rogers’ Client centred therapy (CTT) is non-directive, provides genuineness, empathy and unconditional positive regard. The aim is to help people overcome conditions of worth, increase self-worth and reduce incongruence (closing the gap between ideal-self and perceived- self ). These techniques are used in education, industry and health (influential)
strengths of the humanistic approach
- Anti-reductionist– holistic approach gives greater validity.
- Portrays a positive experience of the human condition - we are able to grow and improve.
limitations of the humanistic approach
- Untestable concepts – vague, abstract concepts that are difficult to test, e.g. conditions of worth/ self-actualistation.
- Mixed impact/R.W.A. Limited evidence base (as anti-scientific) means it has less impact than other approaches in psychology. But the theory of motivation used in other fields, e.g. business and international development, and it has counselling changed.
- Western culture bias - more associated with individualism. The focus on the self (self-esteem, ideal-self, self-actualisation) seen as self-indulgent in collectivist cultures.
