approaches Flashcards
wundts research in psychology AO1
first psychologit to class psychology as science
father of science
opened institute for experimental psychology- first psychology lab
he seperated psychology from philosophy by analysing the workings of the mind i a more structured way
developed introspection (the examination/observation of ones own mental and emotional processes)- to measure peoples thoughts
led to further research in psychology e.g. cognitive psychology
wundts research in psychology AO3 (2 stregnths 2 limitations)
(+) scentific- methods systemaic and controlled, introspections recorded in lab- controlled environment so no EVs a factor
(-) wundts methods compared to modern phsychological methods= subjective- ppts cant be relied on to accurately report their mental states- self report= biaed, social desirbaility
(-) use of inference to identify internal mental states. assumptions so could be mistaken. behaviourists would reject study of internal mental processes- only study fully observable stimulus-response- more reliable
(+) use of inferenes influnced cog psychologists- ask ppts to complete tasks under experimental conditions and ability to do these tasks is used to make inferences about structure of internal mental processes e.g. memory
behaviourist approach AO1
assumes behaviour is learned from environment (stimulus-response)
classical conditioning- learning through association- unconditioned response can be triggered by a neutral stimulus through repeated pairing- so neutral stimulus provides conditioned response e.g. pavlovs dogs
operant conditioning- learning through reinforcement- positive reinforcement- the addition of somthing positive which reinforces behaviour, negative reinforcemt- the removal of somthing negative which reinforces behaviour, punishment- unpleasant consequence that decreases the liklihood of behaviour being repeated- e.g. skinners rats
behavioural approach AO3 (2 strengths and 2 limitations)
(+) uses scientifc methods- pavlov and skinner- scientific conditions and variables could be manipulated in order to access assumptions of conditioning- principals measured scientifically and objectively
(+) real life application- operant conditioning is basis of token economies- used in prisons and psychiatric wards- reward good behaviour w tokens, classical conditioning- applied to treatment of phobias- SD and flooding
(-) ignores biological factors e.g. levels of dopamine/ serotnin and their effect
(-) relies heavily on animal studies
biological approach AO1
assumes: behaviour can be inherited, biochemical imbalances can affect behaviours
NATURAL SELECTION- charles darwin, characteristics that arent suited to environment will die out, adapt so advantageous characteristics remain in future offspring
genotype- genetic makeup, phenotype- way genes are expressed physcially and behaviourally due to environment
GENETIC BASIS OF BEHAVIOUR
behaviour geneticists study whether behavioural characteristics e.g. intelligence are inherited in the same ways as physical characteristics e.g. height
TWIN STUDIES- used to determine liklihood certain traits have genetic basis by comparing concordance rates
BIOLOGICAL STRUCTURES
interactions between regions of brain help to control diff functions e.g. hippocampus- episodic
NEUROCHEMISTRY
neurochemical imbalanes in brai associated with abnormal behaviour- e.g. dopamine associated w depression
biologicl approach AO3
(+) scientific methods- range of precis and highly scientific methods to investigate genetics- e.g. fMRIs and EEGs, family and twin studies- based on reliable data
(+) real life application- increase understanding of biochemical processes in brain- development of psychoactive drugs- means sufferers able to manage condition and live normal life
(-) reductionist- reduce aspects of all human behaviour to level of explanation e.g. physical processes- underestimates role of environment
psyhodynamic approach AO1
ROLE OF UNCONSCIOUS
freud- decribes diff forces (most unconscious) that operate on mind and direct human behaviour and experience
DEFENCE MECHANISMS- unconcsious strategies ego uses to manage conflict between id and superego- repression (forgotten), denial and displacment
STRUCTURE OF PERSONALITY
ID- entirely unconscious- selfish aggressive instincts, dmand immediare gratification
EGO- ‘reality check’ balances id and superego
SUPEREGO- moralistic part of personality- conscience- represents ideal self
PSYCHSEXUAL STAGES (Old Age Pensioners Like Genitals)
all children pass through, specific conflict that determines future
1) oral (0-1) pleasure is the mouth- consequence is oral fixation e.g. nail biting
2) anal (1-3) pleasure is anus- consequence either anal retentive or anal expulsive
3) phallic (3-5) pleasure is genital area - consequence is phallic personality
4) latency- earlier conflicts repressed
5) genital- sexual desires become conscious alongside puberty- consequence difficulty forming heterosexual relationships
psychodynamic AO3
(+) real life appliation- led to psychoanalysis- can help to treat emotional problems by exploring the unconscious mind
(-) focuses on nurture side of debate- focuses on childhood experiences and how they impact a childs development but doesnt look at any biological factors
(-) not scientific- untestable concepts
(-) based off case studies- too unique, ungeneralisable, unrepresentative
cognitive approach AO1
assumtions- we can study internal mental processes indirectly, we make inferences on internal processes based on observable behaviour
INTERNAL MENTAL PROCESSES- private operations of mind that mediate between stimulus and response- e.g. attention, memory, decision making
THEORETICAL AND COMPUTER MODELS- attempt to explain and infer info about mental processes
SCHEMAS- internal script that tells us how to act or what to expect from given situation, pre programmed, allows mental shortcuts, process large amounts oof info quickly
COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE- scientific study of biological structures that underpin cognitive processes, e.g. tulving found that LTM located on opposite sides of prefrontal cortex
cognitive approach AO3
(+) real life application- CBT
(+) highly controlled methods- emergence of cognitive neuroscience has enabled 2 fields to come together
(-) human brain more complex than computer- MACHINE REDUCTIONISM- ignores human emotion and simplifies complex human behaviour
humanistic approach AO1
reject the idea psychology can be studied scientifically
believe behaviour impacted by FREE WILL- humans make their own choices (not predetermined by biological/external factors)
MASLOWS HIERARCHY OF NEEDS- certain needs need to be met before can reach self actualisation. bottom- top of pyramid
bottom- physiological (basic needs for human survival), safety and security (personal and financial security), loving and belonging (social needs), self esteem (accomplishment and recognition), self actualisation (seeking personal growth)
SELF, CONGRUENCE AND CONDITIONS OF WORTH
to acheive self actualisation- individuals concept of self must be congruent to their ideal self- to decrease gap between concept of self and ideal self- client centred therapy- issues we have as adults e.g. feeling of worthlessness has rots from childhood
humanistic approach AO3
(-) not scientific- reliance on non-experimental qualitative methods, lack of empirical evidence, self actualisation seen as vague
(+) holistic- doesnt oversimplify
(+) real life application- client-centred therapy, hierarchy applied to sports, employee satisfaction and motivation in business world
social learning theory AO1
ASSUMPTIONS- people learn through observation and imitation of others within social context- occurs directly through operant and classical conditioning - bandura
VICARIOUS REINFORCEMENT- individual observes behaviour of others, imitation only occurs if they see behaviour is rewarded
MEDIATIONAL PROCCESSES
1) attention- extent we notice behaviour
2) retention- how well behaviour is remebered
3) motor reproduction- ability of observer to perform behaviour
4) motivation- the will to perform the behaviour
MODELLING- imitationg behaviour of role model from observers perspective
IDENTIFICATION- people more likely to imitate the bhevaiour ofthose we identify with (role models)
social learning theory AO3
(+) supported by bobo doll study
(-) based on lab studies- ecological validity, mundane realism
(-) overlooks biological factors
