approaches Flashcards
behaviorist approach
a learning approach that suggests that all children are born as tabula rasa (blank slate) learning through their interactions with their environment
biological approach
a learning approach that views human behaviour as a result of genetics and proposed that individual psychology stems from internal physiology
classical conditioning
a form of learning which occurs by associating naturally occurring instinct with new stimuli, thus creating a conditioned response
cognitive approach
a learning approach which likens the human mind to a computer, with internal mental processes turning an input to an output. This approach suggests studying these internal processes by inference is the key to understanding human psychology
congruence
when a person’s ideal self and actual self are aligned
defence mechanism
strategies employed by the ego to protect the mind from feelings that may be too overwhelming
denial
a defence mechanism utilised by the unconscious mind. This is the complete refusal to acknowledge the occurrence of an event in an attempt to prevent harm
displacement
a defence mechanism utilised by the unconscious mind. This mechanism works by substituting the real target of overwhelming emotions with a defenceless target. This allows for cathartic release of emotions that would not be possible with the original target
ego
one of the three components of the personality according to the psychodynamic approach. The ego develops after the id and functions to mediate between the fesires of the id and what is attainable. The ego is the decision making component
free will
the idea that we are in full control of our behaviour and decisions
genotype
the genetic profile of an individual e.g. the genes they carry
humanistic approach
a learning approach which presumes that all humans are fundamentally good, and encourages the holistic study of the entire individual
Id
one of three components of the personality according to the psychodynamic approach. The id is most primitive and selfish paet of the personality, the only one present at birth and only concerned with desires and achieving them
identification
a form of learning according to the social learning theory, which suggests humans can learn by observing rol models whom they perceive as similar to themselves. It suggests we internalise the beliefs of someone we identify with- are similar to, perhaps in age, gender of goals
imitation
a form of learning suggested by social learning theory which proposes that people learn through copying the behaviour of a role model they identify with