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A level psychology > Approaches > Flashcards

Approaches Flashcards

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1
Q

Who is Wilhelm Wundt

A

Viewed as one of the founders of psychology and believed all aspects of behaviour and the mind could be studied scientifically through introspection

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2
Q

What is introspection

A

Means ‘looking into’ or the examination of ones thoughts

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3
Q

What is the biological approach

A

All behaviour is driven by physiological factors such as genetic factors, biological structures and neurochemistry

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4
Q

Define evolution

A

The gradual change within a species over several generations in response to environmental pressures

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5
Q

Define natural selection

A

The process where inherited characteristics that enhance survival are passed onto the next generation

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6
Q

Define adaptive

A

Trait to boost survival and reproductive success

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7
Q

What did Darwin suggest about evolution

A

Only adaptive behaviour will be naturally selected through generations

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8
Q

What did Seligman suggest about the biological approach

A

That there was a biological preparedness to phobias through innate tendencies to harmful phobias

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9
Q

What is a genotype

A

Genetic constitution of an individual (humans are 99.9% the same)

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10
Q

What is a phenotype

A

The result of your genetic material interacting with your environment to form a behaviour

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11
Q

What is PKU in relation to the biological approach

A

Rare disorder which causes severe learning difficulties if left, but if detected early enough, child can avoid proteins on diet and develop normally

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12
Q

What approach is best taken to the biological approach

A

Interactionist - nature (biology) or nurture (environment)

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13
Q

Why does studying twins increase reliability of research into genetics

A

MZ twins - 100% similar, DZ only 50% (genetically), so if MZ is higher concordance rate, can suggest its due to genetics

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14
Q

What is the twin study by Nestadt

A

Concordance rate of 67% for MZ (identical) twins and 31% for DZ (fraternal) twins

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15
Q

What is neuroanatomy

A

Mapping relationship between various brain areas and their functions

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16
Q

What was Raine et al’s study into neuroanatomy

A

PET scans to identify several areas of the brain in murderers which differed to matched controls -
Reduced activity in prefrontal cortex, amygdala and hippocampus
Abnormal asymmetries, reduced activity on left hemisphere and greater on right

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17
Q

What is Wernicke’s area

A

Processing and comprehending language - top of left temporal lobe. If damaged can still speak but struggle to understand

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18
Q

What is Broca’s area

A

Speech production - left frontal lobe. If damaged simple non fluent grammatical structure

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19
Q

What is an example of brain plasticity

A

Maguire et al - studied brains of London taxi drivers through MRI - found more grey matter in posterior hippocampus than control group. Area associated to spatial and navigational skills

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20
Q

What is neurochemistry

A

The chemical processes that take place in the brain - second option to inherited disorders

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21
Q

What are neurotransmitters

A

Chemical messengers released by pre - synaptic neuron to post synaptic neuron when they connect at a synapse. If correct receptors, NT dock via lock and key

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22
Q

What are the 3 key neurotransmitters

A

GABA, adrenaline, serotonin

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23
Q

What is the effect of GABA on behaviour

A

Body’s primary inhibitory messenger. Regulates anxiety, vision and motor control.
Lack of GABA - poor impulse control, brain seizures, bipolar/mania
Excess GABA - hypersomnia, lack of energy

24
Q

What are the effects of adrenaline on behaviour

A

Boosts oxygen and glucose to respond to stressor quickly. Increases HR and blood pressure

25
Q

What are the effects of serotonin on behaviour

A

Control mood - regulate anxiety and happiness
Lack of serotonin - depression, sadness, fatigue, suicidal thoughts, anxiety
Excess serotonin - restlessness, hallucinations, confusion

26
Q

What are positive evaluation points for the biological approach

A

Accessible ways to treat mental health problems
Extremely scientific
Research support - Maguire et al

27
Q

What are negative evaluation points for the biological approach

A

Research on non human animals - validity, ethical issues
Methodological issues - cause and effect

28
Q

What does CIA stand for in the learning approach

A

Consequences (operant)
Imitation (social learning)
Association (classical)

29
Q

What are the assumptions of the learning approach

A

All behaviour is learned and all we have at birth is the capacity to learn

30
Q

Define a stimulus

A

Anything, internal or external, that brings about a response

31
Q

Define a response

A

Any reaction in the presence of a stimulus

32
Q

Define reinforcement

A

The process by which a response is strengthened

33
Q

What is classical conditioning

A

Learning through association

34
Q

What was Pavlov’s involvement in classical conditioning

A

First to describe process by testing on animals - refers to conditioning of reflexes by associating new stimuli with innate body reflexes - dog, bell, food, salivation - little albert (watson and rayner)

35
Q

Define extinction

A

If CS is continually presented without UCS the CR gradually dies out

36
Q

Define spontaneous recovery

A

If a CR is not reinforced, it become extinguished, but may suddenly reappear

37
Q

Define discrimination

A

The CR is only produced by presentation of the original stimulus, it doesn’t extend to similar stimuli

38
Q

Define generalisation

A

Extension of CR from original stimulus to similar stimuli

39
Q

Define one trial learning

A

When conditioning occurs immediately

40
Q

What is operant conditioning

A

Learning through consequences

41
Q

What is Skinner’s role in operant conditioning

A

Claimed all behaviour is learnt through environmental consequences - past and future. Tested this on rate with food and lever in a box

42
Q

Define a primary reinforcer

A

Anything that fulfils a basic biological need e.g food fulfils hunger

43
Q

Define a secondary reinforcer

A

Only becomes a reinforcer when associated with a primary reinforcer e.g caregiver gives food that fulfils hunger

44
Q

What are the 2 methods to schedule reinforcement

A

Continuous and partial reinforcement

45
Q

What is continuous reinforcement

A

Desired behaviour is reinforced every single time it occurs

46
Q

What is partial reinforcement

A

Desired behaviour is reinforced only part or some of the time. Fixed ratio schedule - rat gets food every 5 presses. Variable ratio schedule - rat gets food after changeable number

47
Q

What are the 3 types of reinforcement

A

Positive, negative, punishment

48
Q

What is positive reinforcement

A

Increases the likelihood of a response occurring as use of reward to strengthen behaviour

49
Q

What is negative reinforcement

A

Increases the likelihood of a response occurring because it involves the removal of, or escaping from unpleasant consequences to strengthen behaviour e.g crying stops when given milk

50
Q

What is punishment

A

Decreasing the frequency of a desired behaviour by giving unpleasant consequences - Skinner, rat shocked when pressed lever so never pressed again

51
Q

What are positive evaluation points for behaviourism

A

Credible evidence - little albert
Extremely scientific - objective and falsifiable methods
practical applications to society - phobias can be unlearned

52
Q

What are negative evaluation points for behaviourism

A

Methodological issues - Pavlov studied dogs
Environmental determinism - incomplete explanation

53
Q

What is the Social Learning Theory

A

Learning through imitation

54
Q

What is imitation

A

Copying behaviour observed in a role model, may or may not have gained reward

55
Q
A

A level psychology (18 decks)

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