approaches Flashcards
wundt and introspection - origins of psychology
1879 W opened first ever lab for psych , aimed to analyse nature of human consciousness, represented first systematic attempt to study mind under controlled conditions
aim; to examine one’s own thought processes under controlled conditions
W try develop theories about mental processes ie lang/perception
they recorded their experiences of various stimuli and divided their observations into thoughts images and sensations
structuralism; isolating the structure of consciousness, stimuli experienced always presented in the same order and same instructions issued to all ppts
AO3 - scientific; origins of psych
strength
W meths were systematic/well controlled
recorded in controlled environment of lab so no extraneous variables
proced standardised
tf sugg w res considered forerunner to later scientific appr
AO3 - subjective data; origins psych
limit
aspects of w res unscientific tday
relied on self rep so data subjective, ppts may have hidden some of their thoughts, difficult to establish meaningful laws of beh
sugg w study flawed and x meet criteria of scientific enquiry
ao3 - modern psychology; origins
strength
modern psych can claim to be scientific
psych is scientific and has same aims as natural sciences ( to understand, predict, control beh)
learning, cog, bio appr rely on scientific meth e.g lab studies
sugg thruout 20th cent, psych has established itself as a scientific discipline
ao3 - subjective data; origins
limit
not all appr use obj meth
humanistic rej scientific appr as prefer to focus on indiv/subjective experi
psychodynamic uses case studies wh is unrep
humans respond to demand charac in research
tf scientific appr to study of human thought/experi x always desirable/possib
behaviourist Approach: Key Assumptions
-Behaviour is learnt from experience and is not inherited
-It is valid to study animals as the same principles apply to humans and non-human animals
-Only observable behaviour should be studied
Classical Conditioning (Pavlov)
learning occurs through the pairing of a neutral stimulus and an unconditioned response that produces an automatic response. ex pavlovs dogs
Operant Conditioning (Skinner)
assumes that behaviour is based on learning through consequence.
1) Positive Reinforcement - behaviour is MORE LIKELY to occur due to positive consequences
2) Negative Reinforcement - behaviour is MORE LIKELY to occur to avoid negative consequences (skinners rat box)
3) Punishment - behaviour is LESS LIKELY to occur because of the negative consequences
ao3 - well controlled res; BEA
Focuses on observable behaviour within controlled settings by breaking down beh into basic stimulus resp units
extraneous variables removed allowing C +E rs establish ex skinners rat box
tf sugg beh experim have scientific credibility
ao3 - counterpoint to well controlled research; BEA
oversimplified learning proc by reducing beh to simple components
ign influe on human thought
oth appr drawn attent to ment proc in learning
sugg learning +re complex than observable beh alone, priv ment proc essential
ao3 - Real-life Applications; BEA
strength
Principles of conditioning have been applied to real-world behaviours. This means the approach has led to therapies to treat disorders. ie. CC for phobia treatm
OC basis of token economy sys in prisons/psych wards wh reward good beh with tokens exchanged 4 privileges
tf incr value of BEA bc has widespread applic
ao3 - environmental determinism; BEA
Emphasis on environmental factors affecting behaviour. This means the approach views free will as an ‘illusion’. Suggests no conscious control over behaviour. sees all beh conditioned by past conditioning experi
ign iflue of conscious decision making proc on beh
social learning theory assumptions
Bandura believed people learnt behaviour in a social context through observation of other people and the reinforcement or punishment they receive and imitation. learning also occurs indirectly
Vicarious Reinforcement - SLT
reinforcement wh is not directly experi b occurs thru observing someone else being reinforced for a beh (the consequences) Imitation is more likely to occur if the model is positively reinforced for their behaviour
role of mediational processes - SLT
mental factors mediate in the learning process to determine whether a new resp is acquired
Attention: The extent to which we are exposed/notice the behaviour.
Retention: How well the behaviour is remembered
Reproduction: This is the ability to perform the behaviour that the model has just demonstrated
Motivation: The will to perform the behaviour.
Identification
Observer associates themselves with a role model because they idolises them and their behaviour
pers identify w is the role model
pers becomes role model is possess simil charac to the observer/r attractive or have high status
ao3 - cog factors; SLT
strength
recognises the importance of cog factors in learning
Emphasises role of mediational processes. This means the approach suggests people have more free will over their behaviour and prov a more comprehnesive expla of human learning
ao3 - counterpoint to cog factors; SLT
Emphasises environmental impact. Doesn’t account for biological factors eg. gender difference. This means it is not a complete explanation for behaviour. res shows obvs learning may be res of mirror neurons in the br wh allow us to empathise/imitate oths
tf sugg bio influe underemphasised in SLT
ao3 - contrived lab studies; SLT
limit
evid based fr lab studies
banduras ideas develop thru obvs in the lab wh criticised 4 demand charac
ex. in bobo doll res childr striking doll bc that is whats expected
tf sugg res tells us little about how childr acc learn aggr in everyday life
ao3 - real world applic; SLT
strength
can explain cultural differences in beh
slt principles can account for how childr learn fr oths inclu the media and this explains how social/cultural norms r transmitted thru societies
tf incr value of appr as it can account 4 real world beh
Cognitive Approach: Key Assumptions
-To explain behaviour we must refer to thought processes
-Internal Mental Processes such as memory, perception and thinking can be studied scientifically by making inferences about the mind based on people’s behaviour
