Approaches Flashcards
1
Q
What is introspection and who came up with it?
A
Wundt
The first systematic experimental attempt to study the mind by breaking up conscious awareness into basic structures of thoughts, images and sensations
2
Q
What is structuralism?
A
Wundt and his co workers recorded their own conscious thoughts, with the aim of breaking these down into their constituent parts.
Isolating the structure of consciousness in this way is called STRUCTURALISM
3
Q
How were introspections recorded?
A
Recorded under strictly controlled conditions using the same stimulus every time.
The same STANDARDISED INSTRUCTIONS were issued to all participants, and this allowed procedures to be repeated (replicated) every single time.
4
Q
Who was one of the first early behaviourists?
A
Watson
5
Q
What was Watsons problem with introspection?
A
Watsons main problem with introspection was that it produced data that was subjective, in that it varied greatly from person to person, so it became difficult to establish general principles.
Also highly critical of introspections focus on private mental processes and proposed that a truly scientific Psycholgy should restrict itself only to studying phenomena that could be observed and measured.
6
Q
How did Watson being to make Psycholgy research more scientific?
A
The behaviourist focus on the scientific processes involved in learning, alongside the use of carefully controlled LAB EXPERIMENTS.
7
Q
What is the behaviourist approach?
A
A way of explaining behaviour in terms of what is observable and in terms of learning.
8
Q
What is classical conditioning?
A
Learning by association.
Occurs when 2 stimuli are repeatedly paired together
- an unconditioned (unlearned) stimulus and a neutral stimulus
- the neutral stimulus eventually produces the same response what was first produced by the unlearned stimulus alone.
9
Q
What is operant conditioning?
A
A form of learning in which behaviour is shaped and maintained by its consequence.
- Possible consequences of behaviour include positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement and punishment
10
Q
What is reinforcement?
A
A consequence of behaviour that increases the likelihood of the behaviour being repeated.
- can be positive or negative
11
Q
What are the assumptions of the behaviourist approach?
A
- behaviourist approach only interested in studying behaviour that can be observed ad measured.
- not concerned with investigating mental processes of the mind.
- suggested basic processes that govern learning are the same in all species.
- this meant that in behaviourist research, animals could replace humans as experimental subjects.
12
Q
Outline Palvovs research
A
- classical conditioning is learning through association.
- Pavlov revealed that dogs could be conditioned to salivate to the sound of the Bess of that sound was repeatedly presented at the same time as food
- gradually, Pavlov dogs learned to associate the sound of the bell (stimulus) with the food (another stimulus) and would produce the salivation response every time they heard the sound.
1- BEFORE CONDITIONING:
Food= unconditioned stimulus
Salivation= unconditioned response
2- BEFORE CONDITIONING:
Bell= neutral stimulus
Salivation= no conditioned response.
3- DURING CONDITIONING
Bell + food —-> salvation (unconditioned response)
4- AFTER CONDITIONING
Bell= conditioned stimulus
Salivation= conditioned response
13
Q
Outline Skinners research
A
- skinner suggested that learning is an active process whereby humans and animals operate on their enviroment.
- skinner conducted experiments with rats in specially designed cages called skinner boxes
- every time rats activated a lever within the box, it was rewarded with a food pellet.
- from then on the Sandoval would continue to perform that behaviour (positive reinforcement)
- skinner gave rat electric shock when rat didn’t press lever and so continued to press lever to avoid this happening.
14
Q
The behaviourist approach
EVALUATION
Scientific credibility
A
- behaviourism was able to bring the language and methods of the natural sciences into Psycholgy by focusing on the measurement of observable behaviour within highly controlled lab settings.
- by emphasising the importance of scientific process such as OBJECTIVITY and REPLICATION, behaviourism was influenced in the development of Psycholgy as a scientific discipline, giving a greater credibility and status.
15
Q
The behaviourist approach
EVALUATION
Real- life application
A
- principles of conditioning have been applied to a broad range of real-world behaviours and problems.
- for instance, operant conditioning is the basis of token economy systems that have been used successfully in institutions such as prisons and psychiatric wards.
- these. Work by rewarding appropriate behaviour with token that can then be exchanged for privileges.
- treatments such as these have the advantage of requiring less effort from a patient because the patient doesn’t have to think about their problems
- such therapies are also suitable for patients that lack insight.
16
Q
The behaviourist approach
EVALUATION
Mechanistic view of behaviour
A
- from behaviourist perspective, animals are seen as passive and machine like responders to the environment- with little to no conscious insight into their behaviour.
- other approach’s in psychology, such as SLT and cognitive approach, have emphasised the importance of mental events during learning.
-these processes, which mediate between stimulus and responses, suggest that people may play a much more active role in theory own learning.
- this means the learning theory may apply less to human than to animal behaviour.
17
Q
The behaviourist approach
EVALUATION
Ethical issues
A
Ethical issues- harming rates for example
18
Q
What is the social learning theory?
A
Way of explaining behaviour that includes both direct and indirect reinforcement, combine learning theory with the role of cognitive factors
19
Q
Define imitation
A
Copying the behaviour of others
20
Q
Define identification
A
When an observer associates themselves with a role model and wants to be like the role model
21
Q
Define modelling
A
From the observers perspective, mocking is imitating the behaviour of the role model.
From the role models perspective, modelling is the precise demonstration of a specific behaviour that may be imitated by an observer
22
Q
Define vicarious reinforcement
A
Reinforcement which is not directly experienced but occurs through observing someone else being reinforced for a behaviour.
- this is a key factor in imitation.
23
Q
Define what mediational processes are
A
Cognitive factors (i.e. thinking) that influence learning and come between stimulus and response.
24
Q
What were the assumptions of the social learning theory and who proposed it?
A
SLT proposed we learn through OBSERVATION and IMITATION of others within a social context.
SLT suggested that learning occurs directly and indirectly.
Albert Bandura
25
How does indirect learning happen (+ vicarious reinforcement)?
- for indirect learning to take place, an individual observes the behaviour of others.
- learner may imitate this behaviour, but in general, imitation only occurs if the behaviour is seen to be rewarded (reinforced) rather than punished e.g. vicarious reinforcement
26
What were the 4 medicational processes identified by Bandura?
1. ATTENTION- the extent to which we notice behaviours
2. RETENTION- how well the behaviour is remembered
3. MOTOR REPRODUCTION- the ability of the observer to perform the behaviour
4. MOTIVATION- the will to perform the behaviour, which is often determined by whether the behaviour was rewarded or punished.
27
How does a person become a role model to a person?
Person becomes a role model if they are seen to possess similar characteristics to the observer and/or are attractive and high status.
They may be on media not just in person
28
What was Bandura research? (1961)
BANDURA ET AL (1961)
- Recorded the behaviour of young children who watched an adult behave in an aggressive way towards a Bobo doll.
- when these children later observed playing with various toys, the behaved much more aggressively towards the doll than those who had observed a non-aggressive adult.
29
What was Bandura + Walter’s research? (1963)
- showed videos to children where an adult behaved aggressively towards the bobo doll.
- 1 group of children sae adult pro asked for their behavior (“well done”)
- 2nd group saw the adult being punished for their aggression towards the doll (by being told off)
- 3rd group (control group) saw aggression without any consequence.
- when given Bobo doll to play with, first group showed much more aggression.
- followed by 3rd and then 2nd
30
The social learnig theory
EVALUATION
The importance of cognitive factors in learning
- neither classical or operant conditioning can offer an adequate account of learning on their own.
- humans and animals store info about behaviour of others and use this to make judgments about when it is appropriate to perform certain actions.
- so SLT provides a more comprehensive explanation of human learning by recognising the role of meditational processes.
31
The social learnig theory
EVALUATION
Over reliance on evidence from lab studies
- many of Bandura ideas were developed through observation of young children’s behaviour in lab settings.
- lab studies often criticised for their contrived nature where particpants may respond to DEMAND CHARATERISTICS.
- its been suggested (in bobo doll research) that vecause the main purpose of the doll is to strike it, the children were simply behaving in a wat that they thought was expected.
- so the reach may tell us little about how children actually learn aggression in everyday life.
32
The social learnig theory
EVALUATION
Underestimates the influence of biological factors
- Bandura makes little reference to the impact of biological factors on social learning.
- consistent finds was boys more aggressive than girls regardless of the specifics of the experimental situation.
- May be explained by hormonal factors like the differences in levels of testosterone (hormone greater in boys than girls) and hormone is liked to aggressive behaviour.
Means that this important influence in behaviour is not accounted for for in SLT.
33
What is the cognitive approach?
Term ‘cognitive’ has come to mean ‘mental processes’ so this approach is focused on how our mental processes (e.g thoughts, perceptions, attention) affects behaviour.
34
What are internal mental processes?
‘Private’ operations of the mind such as perception and attention that mediate between stimulus and response
35
What are schemas?
Mental framework of beliefs and expectations that influence cognitive processing. They are developed from experience.
36
What is inference?
Process whereby cognitive psychologists draw conclusions about the way mental processes operate on the basis of observed behaviour.
37
What is cognitve neuroscience
The scientific study of biological structures that underpin cognitive processes.
38
What are the assumptions of cognitive neuroscience?
The cognitive approach argues that INTRNAL MENTAL PROCESSES can and should be studied scientifically.
As a result, the cognitive approach has investigated those areas of human behaviour that were neglected by behaviourists such as memory, perception and thinking.
These processes are private and cannot be observed
So cognitive psychologists study them INDIRECTLY by making INFLUENCES about what is going on inside people’s minds on the basis of their behaviour
39
Describe cognitive processing in terms of the idea of theoretical?
An important theoretical model is the INFORMATIONAL PROCESSING APPROACH.
- it suggests that info flows through the cognitive system in a sequence of stages that include INPUT, STORAGE and RETRIVAL
40
Describe cognitive processing in terms of the idea of computer models ?
- cognitive approach also uses COMPUTER MODELS, where the mind is compared to a computer by suggesting that there are similarities int he way info is processed.
- models use the concepts of a central processing unit (brain) and the concept of coding and use of stores to hold info.
This has been useful in development of AI.
41
What is the roles of schemas?
Schemas are packages of ideas and info developed through experience.
- act as metal framework for the interpretation of incoming info received by cognitive system
- schema enable us to process lots of info quickly and this is useful as a sort of mental short-cut that prevents us from being overwhelmed by environmental stimuli.
42
What are the negatives about schemas?
Schema may also distort our interpretations of sensory information, leading to perceptual errors.
43
The cognitive approach
EVALUATION
Scientific and objective methods
- cognitive approach has always employed highly controlled and rigorous methods of study in order to enable researchers to INFER cognitive processes at work.
- has involved use of lab experiments, to produce reliable, objective data
- in addition, emergence of cognitive neuroscience has enables biology and cognitive Psycholgy to come together.
Means the study of the mind has established a credible scientific basis.
44
The cognitive approach
EVALUATION
Machine reductionism
- although there’s similarities between the human mind and the operations of a computer (inputs, outposts, storage systems ad use of central processor), the computer analogy has been criticised.
- such machine reductionism ignores the influence of human emotion and motivation on the cognitive system and how this may affect our ability to process info.
45
The cognitive approach
EVALUATION
Application to everyday life
- cognitive psychologists are only able to infer mental processes from the behavior they observe in their research.
- as a consequence, cognitive Psycholgy occasionally suffers from being too abstract and theoretical in nature.
- similarly, experimental studies of mental processes are often carried out using artificial stimuli that may not represent everyday memory experience.
46
The cognitive approach
EVALUATION
Less determinist than other approaches
- cognitive approach is founded on SOFT DETERMINISIMS
- it recognises that our cognitive system can only operate within the limit of what we know, but that we are free to think before responding to a stimulus
- this is a more reasonable ‘interactionist’ position than the hard determinism suggested by other approaches.
47
What is the biological approach
A perspective that emphasises the importance of physical processes in the body such as genetic inheritance and neural function.
48
what are genes?
They make up chromosomes and consist of DNA. Which codes the physical features of an organism (such as eye colour) and psychological features (such as mental disorders).
Genes are transmitted from parents to offspring.
49
What is neuro chemistry?
Relating to chemicals in the brain that regulate psychological functioning.
50
What is a genotype?
The particular set of genes that a person possesses
51
What is a phenotype
The characteristics of an individual determined by birth genes and the environment.
52
What are the assumptions of the biological approach
Biological approach suggests everything psychological is at first biological.
So to fully understand human behavior, we must first look at biological strucutrues and processes in body such as genes, neurochemisty and nervous system.
53
Describe the difference between a persons geno and pheno type
- a perosn genotype is their actual genetic make-up, whereas phenotype is the way that genes are expressed through physical, behavioural and psychological characteristics.
EXAMPLE:
- Identical adult twins usually look slightly different because one has exercised more or one has dyed hair and so on.
- despite having same genes, the way identical twins genes are expressed (phenotype) is different.
Suggests human behaviour depends upon an interaction et seen inherited factors and enviroment.
54
The biological approach
EVALUATION
Scientific methods of investigation
- in order to investigate genetic and biological basis of behaviour, biological approach makes use of a range of precise and highly scientific methods.
- includes: fMRIS + EEGs, family + twin studies and drug trials.
- with advances in tech, possible to accurately measure biological and neural oricesses in way that are NOT open to bias.
Means bio approach is based on reliable data.
55
The biological approach
EVALUATION
Real life application
- increased understanding of biochemical processes in brain has led to development of psychoactive drugs that treat serious mental illnesses e.g depression.
- although these drugs not effective for all patients, they have revolutionalised treatment for many.
- strength of bio approach as it means that sufferers are bale to manage their condition and live a relatively normal life rather than in hospital.
56
The biological approach
EVALUATION
Casual conclusions
- bio approach offers explanations for mental illness in terms of action of neurotransmitters in brain.
- evidence for this relationship comes from studies that show particular drug reduces symptoms of a mental disorder and so it assumed that the neurochemial in drug causes the disorder.
- bit like assuming cause of headache is lack of paracetamol simply because that’s what relives symptoms of headache.
- discovering association between the 2 factors does not mean that 1 is a cause.
- limitation because the bio approach is claiming to have discovered causes where only an association exists.
57
The biological approach
EVALUATION
Deterministic view of behavior
- bio approach is determinist in the sense that is sees human bahviour as governed by internal, biological causes over which we have no control.
- this has implications for legal system and wider society.
- one of the rules of law is that offenders are sen as legally and morally responsible for actions.
- the discovery of a ‘criminal gene’ if. There as such a thing, may complicate this principle.
58
The biological approach
EVALUATION
Cannot separate nature and nurture
- identical and non identical twins and members of same family all have genetic similarities.
- therefore , the biological approach argues, any similarities in the way that they look or behave must be genetic.
- however, there is an important CONFOUNDING VARIBALE.
- they are also exposed to same enviromental conditions.
- this means findings could just as easily be interpreted as supporting NURTURE rather than NATURE.
- Approach also has difficulty accounting for the fact that, in research studies, DZ twins often show higher concordance rates than pairs of ordinary siblings.
- likely to be explained by infleucne of nurture as DZs ad ordinary siblings both have about about 50% genes in common.
59
What does the nervous system consist of?
Central nervous system and peripheral nervous system
60
What does the central nervous system consist of?
Brain + spinal cord and is the origin of all complex commands and decisions
61
What does the peripheral nervous system do?
Sends info to the CNS from the outside world and transmits messages from the CNS to muscles and glands in the body
62
What is the somatic nervous system?
Transmits info from receptor cells in the sense organ to the CNS.
It also receives info from the CHS that directs muscles to act
Controls muscle movement + receives info from sensory receptors
63
What is the autonomic nervous system?
Transmits info to and from internal body organs.
It is autonomic as the system operates involuntarily (automatic)
-governs vital functions of body e.g breathing, HR, digestion, sexual arousal
It has 2 main divisions- sympathetic and parasympathetic
64
What happens in the sympathetic state do?
- increases heart rate
- increases breathing rate
- dilate pupils
- inhibits digestion
- inhibits saliva production
- contracts rectum
65
What happens in the parasympathetic state?
- decreases heart rate
- decreases breathing rate
- constricts pupils
- stimulates digestion
- stimulates saliva production
- relaxes rectum
66
What is the endocrine system?
One of the body’s major info systems that instructs glands to release hormones directly into the blood stream.
These hormones are carried towards target organs in body
67
What is a gland?
Organ in body that synthesises substances such as hormones
68
What is the Fight or flight response?
Way an animal responds when stressed
- the body becomes physiologically aroused in readiness to fight an aggressor or in some cases flee.
69
What is adrenaline?
A hormone produced by the adrenal glands which is part of the humans body’s immediate stress response system.
Adrenaline has a strong effect on the cels of cardiovascular system- stimulating the heart rate, contracting blood vessels and dilating air passages.
70
Compare the endocrine system and nervous system:
Endocrine system acts much more slowly than the nervous system.
71
Which is the main gland in the endocrine system?
Pituitary gland- located in brain
- controls the release of hormones from all the other endocrine glands in the body.
72
How does the endocrine and ANS work together?
- often endocrine system autonomic nervous system work in parallel with one another.
FIGHT OR FLIGHT:
- when a stressor is perceived, the first thing that happens is HYPOTHALAMUS triggers activity in the sympathetic branch of autonomic nervous system.
- the autonomic nervous system becomes physiologically aroused (SYMPATHETIC STATE)
- stress hormone ADRENALINE released from adrenal medulla into blood stream.
- this hormone increases heart rate and gets body ready for fight or flight.
- then all the other effects happen e.g dilated pupils ect
- when threat passed, parasympathetic returns body to resting state.
73
What is a neuron?
Basic building blocks of the nervous system.
They are nerve cells that process and transmit messages through electrical and chemical signals.
74
What are sensory neurons
- these carry messages from the PNS to the CNS.
- long dendrites
- short axons
75
What are relay neurons?
- connect sensory neurons to the motor or other relay neurons.
- short dendrites
- short axons
76
What are motor neurons?
- connect the CNS to effectors such as muscles and glands
- short dendrites
- long axons
77
What ae axons covered in?
MYELIN SHEATH
- protects the axon and speeds up electrical transmission of the impulse
- fatty layer
78
If the myelin sheath was continuous, this would have the reverse effect and slow down the electrical impulse- so what are they segmentated by?
Gaps called nodes of ranvier
- these speed transmission of the impulse by forcing it to ‘jump’ across the gps along the axon.
79
What are at he end of axons?
TERMINAL BUTTONS
- they communicate with the next neuron in the chain across a gap known as the synapse
80
What is electrical transmission
When a neuron is in a resting state the inside of the cell is negatively charged compared to the outside.
- when a neuron is activated by a stimulus, the inside of the cell becomes positively charged for a spilt second causing an ACTION POTENTIAL to occur
- creates an electrical impulse that travels down the axon towards end of the neuron.
81
What is synaptic transmission?
- process by which neighbouring neurons communicate with each other by sending chemical messages across the gap (synapse) that separates them.
82
What is a neurotransmitter?
Brain chemicals released from synaptic vesicles that relay signals across the synapse form 1 neuron to another.
Neurotransmitters can be broad;y divided into those that perform an EXCITORY function and those that perform an INHIBITORY FUNCTION.
83
What is EXCITATION?
When a neurotransmitter e.g adrenaline increases the POSITIVE CHARGE of the postsynaptic neuron.
This increases the likely hood that the neuron will fire and pass on the electrical impulse.
84
What is INHIBITION?
When the neurotransmitter e.g serotonin, increases the negative charge of the postsynaptic neuron
This decreases the likelihood that the neuron will fire and pass on the electrical impulse
85
Describe chemical transmission- synapses
- neurons communicate with each other within groups known as NEURAL NETWORKS.
- each neuron is separated from the next by a tiny cap called SYNAPSE
- signals within neurons are transmitted electronically; however signals between neurons are transmitted chemically across the synapse.
- when the electrical impulse reaches end of neuron (PRESYNAOTIC TERMINAL) it triggers the release of neurotransmitter from tiny sacs called SYNAPTIC VESICLES.
- once neurotransmitter crosses gap, its taken up by the POSTSYNAPTIC RECEPTOR SITE (the dendrites of next neuron)
- here chemical message is converted back into electrical impulse and the process of transmission beings again in this other neuron.
- each neurotransmitter has its own specific molecular structures that fits perfectly into a postsynaptic receptor site.
86
What is summation?
Question of whether a postsynaptic neuron does fre is decided by the process of SUMMATION.
-The excitory and inhibitory influences are summed: if the net effect on the postsynaptic neuron is inhibitory then the postsynaptic neuron is less likely to fire.
- if her effect is excitory it is more likely to fire
Once electrical impulse is created, it travels down neuron.
- therefore the action poteinal of the postsynaptic neuron is only triggered if the sum of the excitory and inhibitory signals at any one time reaches the threshold.
87
What is the psychodynamic approach
A perspective that describes the different forces (dynamics) most of which are unconscious, that operate on the mind and direct human behaviour and experience.
88
What is the unconscious?
The part of the mind that we are unaware of but which continues to direct much of our behaviour
89
What is the Id?
Entirely unconscious, the id is made up of selfish aggressive instincts that demand immmediate gratification
90
What is the Ego?
The ‘reality check’ that balances the conflicting demands of the id and the superego
91
What is the superego?
The moralistic part of our personality which represents the ideal self: how er ought to be.
92
What are defence mechanisms?
Unconscious strategies that the ego uses to manage the conflict between the id and the superego
93
What are the psychosexual stages?
Five developmental stages that all children pass through.
At each stage there is a different conflict, the outcome of which determines future development.
94
What are the 5 psychosexual stages?
ORAL (0-1 yrs)- focus of pleasure is mouth
- CONSEQUENCE: oral fixation- smoking, biting nails
ANAL (1-3yrs)- focus of pleasure is anus, child gains pleasure from withholding and expelling poo.
- CONSEQUENCE: anal retentive- perfectionist, obsessive or Anal expulsive- thoughtless and messy.
PHALLIC (3-5yrs)- focus of pleasure is genital area
- CONSEQUENCE: phallic personality- narcissistic, reckless
LATENCY- early conflicts are repressed
GENITAL- sexual desires become conscious alongside the onset of puberty.
- CONSEQUENCE: difficulty forming heterosexual relationships.
95
Who came up with the psychodynamic approach?
FREUD
96
What did Freud suggest the role of the unconscious is?
- suggested part of our mind that we known about and aware of (conscious mind) is just tip of ice burg.
- most of mind is made up of the unconscious: vast storehouse of biological drives and instincts that has significant influence on behaviour and personality.
- the unconscious also contains threatening and disturbing memories that have been repressed.
- these can be accessed through dreams or through ‘slip of te tougue’ (PARAPRAXES)
- Example= calling female teacher mum not miss.
97
What is just under the surface of our conscious mind?
PRECONSCIOUS
- which contains thoughts and memories which are not currently in conscious awareness but we can access if desired.
98
What is the structure of personality compassed of?
Id, Ego and superego
99
Describe the id (part of the structure of personality)
ID
Primitive part of out personality
- operates on the pleasure principle- id gets what it wants.
- only id is present at birth
- throughout life, id is entirely selfish and demands instant gratification of its needs.
100
Describe the ego (part of the structure of personality)
EGO
- works on the reality principle
- mediator between the other 2 parts of personality.
- ego develops around age of 2 yrs
- role to reduce the conflict between demands of id and the super ego.
- manages this by employing a number of defence mechanisms
101
Describe the superego (part of the structure of personality)
SUPEREGO
- formed at end of phallic stage, around age of 5.
- it is our internalised sense of right and wrong.
- based on morality principle
- it represents the moral standards of the child’s same- sex parent and punishes ego for wrongdoing (guilt).
102
The psychodynamic approach
EVALUATION
Explanatory power
- although FRUEDS theory is controversial in many ways and occasionally bizarre, it has had a massive influence on Psycholgy and western contemporary thought.
- alongside behaviorism, the psychodynamic approach remained the dominant force in Psycholgy first first half of 20th century and has beeen used to explain personality development, abnormal behaviour, moral development and gender.
- approach is also significant in drawing attentiaon to the connection between experiences in childhood (such as our relationships with patients) and later development.
103
The psychodynamic approach
EVALUATION
The case study method
- Freuds theory was based on intensive study of single individuals who were often in therapy.
- although Freuds observations were detailed and carefully recorded, critics have suggested that it is not possible to make such universial claims about human nature based on studies of such a small number of individuals who were psychologically abnormal.
- Freuds interpretations were highly SUBJECTIVE.
- Freuds methods lack scientific rigour
104
The psychodynamic approach
EVALUATION
Untestable concepts
- philosopher of science Karl Popper argued that the psychodynamic approach does not meet the scientific criterion of FALSIFICATION. It’s not open to empirical testing.
- many of Freuds concepts like unconscious level, makes them difficult to test.
- it’s pseudoscience not real science.
105
The psychodynamic approach
EVALUATION
Psychic determinism
- Freud believed, in relation to human behaviour, that there’s no such thing as an accident.
- even something as a ‘slip of the tounge’ is driven by unconscious forces and has deep symbolic meaning.
- psychodynamic approach explains behaviour- even accidents- as determined by unconscious conflicts that are rooted in childhood such that any free will we may think we have is an illusion.
106
What is the humanistic Psycholgy approach?
An approach to understanding behaviour that emphasises the importance of subjective experience and each persons capacity for self-determination
107
what is free will
When notion that humans can make choices and are not determined by biological or external factors
108
What is self actualisation?
The desire to grow psychologically and fulfil ones full potential- becoming what you are capable of.
109
What is the hierarchy of needs?
- 5 levelled hierarchical sequence in which basic needs (such as hunger) must be satisfied before higher psychological needs (such as self esteem and self- actualisation) can be achieved.
110
What is congruence?
The aim of Rogerian therapy, when the self- concept and ideal self are seen to broadly accord or match
111
What are the conditions of worth?
When a parent places limits or boundaries on their love of their children, for instance, a parent saying to a child, ‘I will only love you if.. you study medicine’ or ‘if you split up with that boy’.
112
How is the humanistic approach different to most of the other approaches?
- least deterministic.
- claims that human beings are essentially self- determining and have free will.
- we are active agents who ave ability to determine own development
- person centred approach in psychology
113
Describe self- actualisation in terms of the humanistic psychology
- every person has an INNATE tendency to achieve full potential.
- self actualisation represents uppermost level of Maslow hierachy of needs.
- all the lower levels must be met before individual can work towards self actualisation.
114
What did Roger’s say about SELF and ideal self?
(Congruence)
- Roger’s argued that for personal growth to be achieved, an individuals concept of self (way see themselves), must be broadly equivalent to, or have congruence with, their IDEAL SELF (the perosn they want to become).
- if too big a gap exists, self actualisation wont be possible due to the negative feelings of self-worth that arise from INCONGRUENCE.
115
How did Roger’s say you can reduce the gap between the self concept and ideal self?
- rogers developed CLIENT- CENTRED THERAPY to help people cope with the problems of everyday living.
- rogers claimed that many of the issues we experience as adults (such as worthlessness and low self esteem) have their roots in childhood and can often be explained by a lack of unconditioned positive regard (or lack of unconditional love) from our parents.
- a parent who sets boundaries or limits on their love for their child (conditions of worth) by claiming ‘I will only love you if…’ is storing up psychological problems for that child in future
116
Humanistic Psycholgy
EVALUATION
Not reductionist
- Humanists reject any attempt to break up behaviour and experience into smaller components.
- behaviourists explain human and animal learning in terms of simple stimulus- response connections; Freud described the whole of personality as a conflict between 3 things: id, ego and superego; biological psychologists reduce behaviour to its basic physiological processes and supporters of the cognitive approach ect
- whereas humanistic psychologists advocate holism (whole person)
- this approach may have more validity then its alternatives by considering meaningful human behavior within its real-life context.
117
Humanistic Psycholgy
EVALUATION
Limited application
- unlike some of other approaches, humanistic Psycholgy has relatively little real world application.
- rogerian therapy has revolutionalised counselling techniques and Maslow hierachy of needs has been used to explain motivation, particularly in work place.
- lack of application may be due to it lacking sound evidence- base
- its been described as not comprehensive theory but as a loose set of rather abstract concepts.
118
Humanistic Psycholgy
EVALUATION
Positive approach
- humanistic psychologists been praised for bring the person back into Psycholgy and promoting a positive image of human condition.
- offers refreshing and optimistic alternative
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Humanistic Psycholgy
EVALUATION
Cultural bias
- many ideas that are central to humanistic Psycholgy (such as individual freedom, autonomy and personal growth) would be much more reality associated with individualist cultures in the Western worl.
- collectivist cultures such as INdia, emphasise the needs of the group, community and interdependence.
- so may identify so easily with the ideas and values of humanistic Psycholgy.
- therefore it is possible that this approach would not travel well and is a product of the cultrual context within which it was developed.
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In terms of child development, what type of approach presents the most coherent theory of development?
PSYCHODYNAMIC APPROACH
- Psychosexual stages that are determined by age
However, Freud said little o development after genital stage in teen years.
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How does the cognitive approach explain parts of development?
Contributed to our understanding of child development
E.g intellectual development, children form increasingly complex concepts- schemas as the get older.
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How does the bio approach contribute to our understandment on development?
Maturation= important principle within the bio approach whereby genetically determined changes in a child’s physiological status influence psychological and behavioural characteristics.
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How does the humanistic approach impact our understanding on development?
Sees the development of self as ongoing throughout life, a child’s relationship with its parents is seen as key determinant of psychological health.
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How does the behaviourist approach and social learning theory help our understanding on development ?
Do not offer coherent stage theories of development but instead see the processes that underpin learning as continuous, occurring at any age.
