Approaches

Question 1

What is introspection?

Answer 1

the first systematic experimental attempt to study the mind by breaking up conscious awareness into basic structures of thoughts, images and sensations.

Question 2

What are the (2) evaluation points of Wundt and introspection?

Answer 2

+Scientific methods that are systematic and well-controlled.

Reduces extraneous variables, and standardises procedures.

-Subjective data that would be considered unscientific today.

Relies on self-report methods, may hide some thoughts and hard to establish ‘laws of behaviour’ from such data. General laws are used to predict future behaviour (an aim of science).

Question 3

What are the (2) evaluation points of the emergence of psychology as a science?

Answer 3

+Modern psychology research claim to be scientific.

Same aims as natural sciences - to describe, understand, predict and control behaviour. Learning, biological, and cognitive approaches rely on scientific methods.

-Subjective data in some approaches.

Humanistic approach rejects scientific approach, preferring focus on individual experiences and subjective experience.
Psychodynamic approach uses case study method, which doesn’t use representative samples.

Question 4

What are the (4) evaluation points of the behaviourist approach?

Answer 4

+Approach is based on well-controlled research (measures observable behaviour in lab setting and able to break down behaviour allowing cause-and-effect to be established).
-Oversimplified learning process (reduces components to simple components)

+

Question 5

What are the key assumptions of the humanistic psychology approach?

Answer 5

• Each individual is unique
• Humans have freewill
• Science should not be used to explain behaviour
• Humans should be viewed holistically and not reduced to parts

Question 6

What is free will?

Answer 6

the idea that humans can make choices and their behaviour/thoughts aren’t determined by internal biological or external forces.

Question 7

Describe Maslow’s hierarchy of needs?

Answer 7

• Self actualisation (self-fulfilment)
• Esteem needs (positive self-thoughts, achievement, reputation)
• Social needs (friendship, love, intimacy)
• Safety needs (security, structure, protection)
• Physiological needs (water, food, shelter)

Question 8

How has the humanistic approach influenced counselling?

Answer 8

• uses client-centred therapy in which unconditional positive regard is used by the therapist in their assessment and treatment of their client.
• focus on positive aspects of the person.
• increase a client’s self-worth and to reduce incongruence between self-image and ideal self.

Question 9

What is self-actualisation?

Answer 9

the desire to grow psychologically and fulfil one’s full potential.

Question 10

What is the ‘self’?

Answer 10

the ideas and values that characterise ‘I’ and ‘me’ and includes perception and valuing of ‘what I am’ and ‘what I can do’.

Question 11

What is congruence?

Answer 11

the aim of Rogerian therapy (client-centred therapy), when the self-concept and ideal self are seen to broadly accord or match.

Question 12

What are conditions of worth?

Answer 12

when a parent places limits/boundaries on their love of their children (i.e: ‘I will love you if you…’).

Question 13

Give an overview of the evaluations of the humanistic approach?

Answer 13

+Not reductionist, as it doesn’t try to simplify behaviour (holistic).
-Holistic approaches can be hard to study, as can’t break down into variables.
+It’s an optimistic approach, focusing on promoting a positive image.
-Cultural-bias to more individualistic cultures.
-Limited application to the real world.

Question 14

What are the evaluative points of the influence of counselling psychology?

Answer 14

Strengths:
+emphasises the positive aspects of the person being treated: to removes blame, guilt and shame from people who seek counselling (which Freudian therapy may not achieve).
+influence is seen in the self-help manuals: such manuals may help someone to ‘heal’ themselves, removing the need for (expensive) therapy.

Weaknesses:
-vague and imprecise, so hard to know how a potential therapist would structure their sessions or access the ideas.
-little research support for his therapy, so it lacks reliability.

Question 15

What are the 3 parts of the mind Freud suggested?

Answer 15

The conscious mind:
- what we are aware of, the part we using to form conscious thoughts (the tip of the iceberg).

The preconscious mind:
- just below the surface of the conscious mind: where memories are retrieved if needed.

The unconscious mind:
- the largest part of the iceberg below the surface, which holds disturbing and threatening memories plus the effects of trauma.

Question 16

What is Freud’s tripartite personality?

Answer 16

The Id:
- present from birth.
- the primitive part of our personality.
- pleasure principle (selfish and demanding).
- unconscious biological drives, instincts and and urges .
The Id is important in early life to ensure infants survival, which is why an infant will cry until its needs are met.

The Ego:
- develops age 2.
- reality principle.
- mediator (between Id + Superego).

The Superego:
- develops age of 5.
- morality principle.
- internalised sense of right and wrong (conscience).
- represents the moral standards of the same-sex parent .
- punishes/rewards the ego.
- civilise behaviour and suppress the unacceptable urges of the Id.

Question 17

Describe what occurs with an imbalance of the different personalities.

Answer 17

-Healthy personality must have balance between the Id, Ego and Superego.
-But:
- a more dominant Id means they can become impulsive and uncontrollable as they’re acting on their most basic needs with no concern for consequences.
- a more dominant Superego means the person can become incredibly moralistic and judgmental.