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Psychology A Level AQA > Approaches > Flashcards

Approaches Flashcards

1
Q

Wilhelm Wundt

A

Known as the Father of psychology he opened the first psychology lab in Germany 1879 which was used to understand psychological processes like emotions and sensations.

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2
Q

Identify 3 assumptions of the Behavioural Approach

A

Humans are born as a blank slate
All behaviour is learnt from the environment
Psychology is a science

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3
Q

2 main theories of behaviourism

A

Classical and operant conditioning

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4
Q

Classical conditioning is where we learn through…

A

Association

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5
Q

Operant conditioning is where we learn through…

A

Consequence (punishment and reinforcement)

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6
Q

Positive Reinforcement

A

When you add a desirable stimulus to increase a behaviour.

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7
Q

Negative Reinforcement

A

When you remove an undesirable stimulus to increase a behaviour.

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8
Q

Punishment

A

The consequence is receiving something unpleasant which decreases the probability of the behaviour being repeated

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9
Q

According to positive reinforcement, WHY is behaviour likely to be REPEATED?

A

To receive the same reward

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10
Q

According to negative reinforcement, WHY is a behaviour likely to be REPEATED?

A

To avoid a negative consequence

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11
Q

In Pavlov’s research, what was unconditioned stimulus?

A

Food

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12
Q

In Pavlov’s research, what was unconditioned response?

A

Salivation

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13
Q

In Pavlov’s research, what was the bell?

A

Neutral Stimulus during conditioning

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14
Q

Outline the conditioning process during Pavlovs experiment

A

Before conditioning

Food (Unconditioned Stimulus) caused salivation (Unconditioned Response)
Bell (Neutral stimulus) caused no response

During Conditioning

Food (US) + Bell (NS) caused salivation (UR)

After Conditioning

Bell (Conditioned Stimulus) caused salivation (Conditioned Response)

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15
Q

Skinner Rat experiment

A

In 1938 there was a study that suggested that rats can learn behaviour through operant conditioning. A behaviour such as pressing a lever can be positively reinforced by receiving food

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16
Q

Little Albert Watson and Rayner

A

Little Albert (11 month old) initially showed no fear in white fluffy objects like rats or rabbits. The researchers created a conditioned response by banging a metal pole loudly behind his head whenever he reached for the white rabbit. This resulted in him being conditioned to have a fear of white fluffy objects showing abnormal behaviour can be learned. But was unethical and lacked ecological validity as it was artificial

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17
Q

Social Learning Theory

A

Learning can occur simply through observing others in our environment

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18
Q

Proposer of the social learning theory

A

Bandura

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19
Q

Behavioural Approach

A

This approach assumes someone is a product of their environment, people are born a ‘blank state and all behaviour is learnt

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20
Q

Cognitive Approach

A

How our mental processes (eg thoughts and perceptions) affect behaviour

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21
Q

According to the cognitive approach how does our mind work?

A

Like a computer

22
Q

Describe the three-stage process of the computer model

A

INPUT (info from environment) –> PROCESS (we interpret) —-> OUTPUT (behaviour)

23
Q

Inferences

A

Guesses of how people are going to react behave

24
Q

What is meant by ‘schemas’ and how are they created?

A

They are mental representations caused by experiences

25
Reasons why schemas are beneficial
Can help us predict what might happen Help us make quick decisions Prevent us from being overwhelmed
26
Problems with schema
Can stop people from learning new information Prejudice and stereotypes can be an outcome of schemas These can lead to faulty conclusions, unhelpful behaviours and perception errors
27
Assumptions of the cognitive approach
Our mental systems have a limited capacity A control mechanism overseas our mental processes There is a two way flow of information
28
Cognitive neuroscience
An approach which maps human behaviour to brain function. Brain imaging techniques allow psychologists to discover when and where things happen in the brain in relation to peoples behaviour at the time
29
Strengths of Cognitive Approach
Considers mental processes which are overlooked in other approaches Helped development of therapies (cognitive behaviour therapy)
30
Weaknesses of Cognitive Approach
Research is often carried out in artificial situations meaning emotions are ignored. Cognitive Psychology fails to take individual differences into a account and assumes everyone processes stuff in the exact same way
31
The Biological Approach
Our genetics, hormones and nervous system influence out behaviour
32
Basic assumptions of Biological approach
Everything psychological is at first biological Behaviour is influenced by genetics The mind lives in the brain
33
What two factors determine how we behave according to the biological approach?
genotype phenotype
34
The genetic explanation argues that behavioural characteristics such as intelligence, personality and mental illness are what?
Genetically altered
35
Concordance rate
The extent to which a pair of twins share similar traits or characteristics. (the higher the more similar they are)
36
Genotype
A specific set of genes that an individual has inherited from their biological parents and is unique to them (their genetic makeup). Genotypes can give a predisposition to disorders
37
Phenotypes
A persons obserbable traits
38
The Psychodynamic Approach
Created by Sigmund Freud, its a perspective that describes the different forces (dynamics), most of which unconscious, that operate on the mind and direct human behaviour and experience
39
Assumptions of the Psychodynamic Approach
The unconscious forces in our mind determine our thoughts, feeling and behaviour Our behaviour as adults is strongly influenced by our childhood experiences Abnormal behaviour is the result of mental conflict
40
Overview of Freuds Oral stage
Oral Stage is from birth until age 1. The child enjoys sucking and tasting of which the mothers breast is the desire. Completion of this stage is demonstrated by weaning (eating independently). Consequences of unresolved conflict would mean the child becomes sarcastic, sensitive to rejection and may smoke, bite nails and drink
41
Overview of Freuds anal stage
Anal stage is from 18 months to 3. Defecation is main source of pleasure. Completion marked by potty training. Consequences of unresolved conflict - anally retentive (tidy, stubborn and perfectionist) or anally expulsive (thoughtless and messy)
42
Overview of Freuds Phallic stage
Phallic stage from 3-5. Form of pleasure is the genital area. Oedipus complex is where boys want his mother as his 'primary love object' and wants his father out of the way. Electra complex girl experience penis envy and desire their father and hate their mother. Consequences of unresolved conflict is a phallic personality where theyre narcissistic, reckless and possibly homosexual
43
Overview of Freuds Latency stage
Latency stage is from 5- puberty. Sexual urges sublimated in sports and hobbies whilst focusing on same sex friendships. Lull before storm of puberty
44
Overview of Freuds Genital stage
Genital stage is from puberty-adulthood. Focus on genitals (not same extent as phallic stage). Developing healthy adult relationships if all other stages negotiated. Consequence of unresolved conflict is having difficulty forming heterosexual relationships
45
Name the 3 defence mechanisms
Denial, repression and displacement
46
Assumptions of humanistic approach
Every individual is unique. Freewill. People should be viewed holistically. Scientific method is not appropriate to measure behaviour
47
3 parts of the brain according to the psychodynamic approach
The conscious , the unconscious and the pre-conscious
48
The ID
The impulsive part of your personality that is driven by pleasure and repulsed by pain
49
The superego
The judgmental and morally correct part of your personality
50
The ego
The conscious part of your personality that mediates between the id and the superego and makes decisions
51
Self actualisation
The process by which an individual reaches his or her full potential
52
The types of self as parts of Humanistic approach
The self concept is the self you feel you are The ideal self is the self you are aiming towards The real self is the person you actually are not who you think you are or who you wish you were

Psychology A Level AQA (8 decks)

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