Approaches Flashcards
Introspection
Wundt
Examination or observation of one’s own mental and emotional processes
Wundt method
Trained Observes presented with stimulus (ticking metronome)
Ps then asked to describe how stimuli made them think and feel
The same stimulus, physical surroundings and instructions given
Wundt evaluation
-not scientific
Behaviourists said private experiences that were self reported during introspection are not observable
So difficult to measure
Also experiences were subjective
Behaviourists believe the only way to be more objective and scientific is to measure observable behaviour
Undermines objectivity if his work
* however it’s still used today to gain access too cognitive processes
+seen as the start of cognitive psychology
Cognitive is a modern day approach and to attempt to measure what’s happening in the mind using scientific methods- some say without him it wouldn’t exist
Strength as it’s influential too cognitive psychologists
+as he applied a scientific method it means in modern times psychology is considered a scientific discipline
If Wundt never set up psychology lab it’s possible the study of the mind might still be tied to philosophical roots and not gained the status it has
Strength as it’s influential work paved the way for study of psychology as a respected discipline
Wundt
-“father of psychology”-set up first psychology lab in Leipzig Germany
-moved from philosophical roots to scientific controlled
-promoted introspection as a way of studying mental processes
-work paved way for later controlled research and study of mental processes
-introspection
- analysis own conscious experiences of a stimuli
Mediationak processes
P erception
M emory
A ttention
C onsciousness
Inferences
Makes assumptions about mental processes that cannot be directly observed
Schemas
Mental framework which help process and interpret information, helping us quickly organise it and to make predictions
X- can be distorted and lead to perceptional errors
Theoretical and computer models
Theoretical- diagrams to help understand mental processes, brain inputs, processes and recalls info (MSM)
Computer- simulations to depict mental processes
AO3 cognitive
+applications
Development of cognitive treatments Cbt, therapy helped understand how depression can be due to faulty thinking
Helped led to successful treatment of of depression where faulty thinking is identified
+scientific methods
Higher controlled variables
Produces reliable objective data
Enabled bio and cognitive to enhance scientific study, credible
-however, uses inference not direct observation, artificial stimuli, lack external validity
-reductionist
Reduces behaviour to 1 thing e.g depression=faulty thinking, simplistic and ignores environmental factors
Behaviourist approach
All behaviour is learnt through past experiences and environments
Humans are born as blank slate
Use scientific methods and only study things that can be observed and measured
Pavlov
Classical conditioning- learning through association
UCS—> UNR
NS+UCS—> UCR
CS—> SR
Skinners rats
Placed hungry rats in a box with lever
When rats pushed lever food came out
Rats learned to associate food with pushing lever
Operant conditioning-learning occurs from association
Positive reinforcement
Receiving a reward when behaviour is performed
E.g pushing lever gave rats food
Negative reinforcement
Animal avoids something unpleasant e.g mum feeds baby to stop baby crying
Punishment
Weakens or eliminates behaviour
Unpleasant consequences of behaviour
E.g skinner introduced electric grid floor, when rats pushed lever they were electrocuted, rats stopped pushing lever
Behaviourism evaluation
RSM
Ethical issues + (demand characteristics and generalisable)
DREAMS
-deterministic,reductionist,evidence scientific methods
Biological (Darwin)
Natural selection
Behaviour that increases survival is passed down and reproduce
E.g aggression to keep territory so have necessary means for survival
Argued aggression has been passed by ancestors
