Approaches

Question 1

Wundt A01

Answer 1

-Known as the father of psychology moved from philosophical roots to controlled research
-Set up the first psychology lab in Liepzig, Germany in the 1870’s
-promoted the use of introspection as a way of studying mental processes
-His work later paved way for the later controlled research and the study of mental processes e.g. by cognititve psychologists

Question 2

Define introspection

Answer 2

The systematic analysis of ones own conscious experience, thought processes, feelings, emotions and sensations.

Question 3

Method of introspection

Answer 3

• Record own conscious thoughts, breaking them down into components (structuralism)
• components are elements like sensation, emotional reactions etc * ppl were trained to do this analysis to make the data objective rather than subjective
• people were presented with standardised sensory events like a ticking metronome and asked to report their reactions.
  -controlled lab setting

Question 4

Who criticised introspection for not being objective?why?

Answer 4

Waton. subjective as it vaired from person to person, difficult to establish general principles. Truly scientific psych should resrict itself to being empirical by studying phenomena that can be observed, from this principle stemmed the behaviourist approach.

Question 5

What are the features of a science?(FORE)

Answer 5

F-falsifiability: when its possible to prove a statement, theory or hypothesis wrong. Only possible if study is replicable
O-objectivity: free from bias, based on observable phenomena. Not influenced by personal opinion, prejudice or emotion; its empirically available for other scientists to check and verify
R-replicability: extent to which a study can be repeated so that reliabilty of results can be judged
E-empirical: directly observable and gathered through the senses. Can be verified by measurements and doesn’t go beyond the boundaries of what can be observed.

Question 6

Other than FORE, what else are features of science?

Answer 6

1)Theory constuction and hypothesis testing: to make scientific progress it must be possible to test and falsify a theory must be Rigid and hypothesis must be clear (operationalised). Theory can be tested and proven correct or incorrect (falsified)
2)Paradigms and paradigm shifts

Question 7

What is a paradigm?

Answer 7

a distinct set of concept or thought patterns within a specific domain. Each approach has its own paradigm.

Question 8

What is a paradigm shift?

Answer 8

happens when a theory is falsified and a new paradigm is created that is based on the newly discovered info.

Question 9

Evaluation of Wundts method and the scientific approach

Answer 9

(-)method is not scientific. non-empirical and subjective. Unobservable (memory, perceptions). Replication, results weren’t reliably reproduced by other psychologists.
(+)some aspects still considered scientfific. introspection recorded in controlled labs, standardised procedures, same info + tested same way. Wundts research considered forerunner to the later scientific approaches in psych.
(-)Low ecological. psyhologists particularly humnistic concentrating purely on objective and controlled methods doesn’t reveal alot about behaviour in natural setting. Most effective method is to use a range of methods to investigate aim/hyp so gather reliable and valid data to test a theory (triangulation)
(+)introspection still used. Hunter et al (2003) used as a way of making happiness a measurable phenomena. Demonstrates how introspection can be used with scientific methods to provide a greater understanding of human behaviour. Demonstrated long-lasting influence Wundt has had on the discipline of psych.

Question 10

What does the learning approach focus on?

Answer 10

how we are all a product of our experiences (learning). and incorporates both behaviourism and SLT. All human behaviour is learnt, and we are born as ‘blank slates’

Question 11

What are the basic assumptions of the behaviourist approach?

Answer 11

-behaviour learnt from experiences born as blank slate no genetic infuence on behaviour
-only observable behaviours is measurable scientifically and only these should be studied as thought processes are subjective and difficult to test
-should use lab experiment best way maintaining objectivity
-learning is same in all species. valid to study behaviour of animals

Question 12

Behaviourist approach: classical conditioning AO1

Answer 12

learning by association. Humans & animals can be classically conditioned. Learning occurs when an association is made between a previously neutral stimulus and reflex response (positive or negative). Positive response will arise when the person becomes in contact with positive stimulus. Same for negative.

Question 13

Who first described the process of cc in 1904?

Answer 13

Pavlov from his observations of salivation, dogs automatically salivate when presented with food - reflex response and no learning is required (automatic)

Question 14

A01: pavlov dog

Answer 14

-food UCS salivation UR
-conditioned dog to salivate to sound of a bell(NS-> CS) repeatedly presented food whilst ringing the bell.
-The NS (bell) is repeatedly paired with an UCS (food), the two become associated, resulting in the NS becoming a CS to create a previously instinctive and now conditioned response (salivating)

Question 15

Evaluation of Pavlov (2 )

Answer 15

(+)experimental method, Controlled conditions. manipulating the UCS and NS (IV), was able to accurately measure the amount the dog salivated (DV). Cause & effect relationship between stimulus and response.
(-)non-human animals. doesnt reveal alot abt human behaviour. Humans have free will behaviour not purely determined by association made between stimulus and response. Conclusions abt CC may not provide a valid explanation of all human behaviour as extrapolating findings

Question 16

Operant conditioning A01

Answer 16

-learning by consequences (reinforcement) of ones own behaviour
-something in environment strengthens behaviour more likely to occur. example…

Question 17

Types of reinforcement

Answer 17

1)Positive: receiving a reward when a certain behaviour is peformed. More likely to reoccur if its reawrded by positive consequences
2)Negative:rewarded by avoiding something unpleasant. More likely if rewarded by avoiding something unpleasant
3)Punishment: unpleasant consequence. Less likely to reoccur if it results in negative consequences

Question 18

Skinner positive reinforcement (PR) A01

Answer 18

skinner box (SB)
positive: hungry rat in SB, accidently knock lever, food pellet drop = PR, learnt to go straight to lever after a few times. they were conditioned to engage in unnatural behaviour (learned) of pushing a lever

Question 19

Skinner negative reinforcement (NR) A01

Answer 19

rat in SB, electric current, accidently knock lever, immediatley switch off (unpleasant stimulus stopped). NR for behaviour. Quickly leanred to go straight for the lever after few times of being placed in box.

Question 20

skinner punishment (P) A01

Answer 20

• define punishment
  -once rat was taught to press lever, skinner trained it to cease this behaviour by electrifying the floor each time the lever was pressed.

Question 21

skinner operant conditioning A03 (2)

Answer 21

(+)experimental method, controlled conditions (SB). BY manipulating consequences of behaviour (IV), he was able to accuratley measure the effect on the rats behaviour (positive or negative) and the future frequency of its occurence.
(-)Non-human animals. (same as CC point). However, skinner argued that free will was merely an illusion and that all behaviour is the product of external influences so testing animals is a valid way to investigate human behaviour.

Question 22

Evaluation of the behaviourist approach (1: prctical application)

Answer 22

(+)Practical application such as counter conditioning treatments, flooding and systematic desensitisation.The effectiveness of these therapies suggests that the behaviourist principles that they are based on must have some validity and merit.

Question 23

Evaluation of behaviourist approach A03 (other than practical applications 3 other points)
BP= behavioural psychologists

Answer 23

(+)supported by evidence: pavlov and skinner findings summary
(-)Over-simplistic as it favours nurture side of nature vs nuture debate. BP believe B is learned through OP and CC & they therefore ignore wealth of evidence to suggest bio factors also contribute (e.g.genes or hormones). Very one-sided view of human B and doesn’t provide a holistic explanation.
(-)Supports the determinism side of the freewill vs determinism debate. BP claim that HB is product of external influences (environmental determanism) and, as the individual cannot cotrol these processes, they cant be held responsible for their own behaviour. many psychologist would disagree with this view and believe humans have the free will to choose how to behave e.g.humanistic P

Question 24

Social learning theory (SLT) basic assumptions

Answer 24

1)behaviour is learnt from the environment and thus genetic don’t influence behaviour
2)Behaviour is learnt from observing others (role models) and the reinforcement or punishment they recieve. From this, individuals will decide whether to imitate the behaviour or not.

Question 25

What are the three types of reinforcement in SLT?

Answer 25

1)Identification 2)Imitation 3)Modelling

Question 26

Identification

Answer 26

individual is influenced by another because they are in some way similar to that person (e.g. gender, ethnicity, social status) or wish to be like them (they identify with the model). Much more likely to imitate the behaviour of people with whom thy identify.

Question 27

Imitation

Answer 27

observes behaviour from a role model and copies it. Key determinants: characteristics of model, the observers abaility to perform the behaviour and the observered consequences.

Question 28

Modelling

Answer 28

observing the behaviour of a role model. Might observe a live model e.g.parent, sibling, teacher etc or they may copy a symbollic model e.g. a character on TV. These models provide examples of behaviour that mmay be imitated.

Question 29

Define vicarious reinforcement (SLT)

Answer 29

the reinforcement the observer sees the model recieving. They do not recieve the reward themselves; they see someone else get it. A reinforcement, such as a reward, makes behaviour more likely to be imitated. It's more likely that a rewarded behaviour is copied than a behaviour that is punished

Question 30

The role of mediating processes (SLT-Bandura)

Answer 30

A:Attention= have to notice behaviour for it to be imitated R:Retention= may be noticed, but not always remembered, which prevents imitation M:Motor reproduction= physical abilities, influences decision whether to try and imitate it or not M:Motivation=the desire to perform the behaviour. The reward/puishments following a behaviour will be considered by the observer. reward outwheigh cost = more motivated

Question 31

Banduras, Ross and Ross research A01 RM= role model

Answer 31

36M 36F mean age 4 yrs. 4 conditions (sam sex vs opposite sex RM &non-aggressive vs aggressive RM). -Control group that wasn't exposed to model -aggressive RM hit bobo doll with hammer and shouted at it -non-aggressive ignored bobo doll and played with the toys -after 10mins children were brought to diff romm and experienced aggression arousal, then taken to another room with toys and observed for 20mins to see extent to which behaviour would be replicated

Question 32

Bandura, Ross and Ross findings

Answer 32

-children who observed aggressive behaviour acted more aggressively -boys acted more aggresive than girls -greater level of imitation of same-sex RM -Children learn social behaviour such as aggression by observing the behaviours of others and that this is most likely when model is of the same gender

Question 33

Evaluation of Banduras study (3)

Answer 33

(+)Experimental methods. Controlled environment causal relationship between modelling and imitation of aggression. Manipulated gender & behaviour of model (IV), he was able to accurately measure the effect on the children behaviour (DV). Establish cause and effect between obervation and imitation. (-)Low ecological validity. unfamiliar controlled environment, no interaction between model and children and models were total strangers. Desn't accuratley reflect real-life. (-)unethical psychological harm such as stress

Question 34

Evaluation of SLT

Answer 34

(+)Supoorted by evidence. Bandura children who observe aggressive model behaved more aggressively...same sex provides strong evidence to support slt (+)Provides a more holistic and less deterministic view of behaviour than OP or CC. More than one factor causing behaviour and individual has at least some control over their actions (emphasises role of mediational processes) (+)Enables us to understand cultural differences in behaviour. Exposure to different models, cultural norms, display different behaviours (-)favours only the nurture side of the nature vs nurture debate. Learn B through vicarious reinforcement and observations and ignore wealth of evidence to suggest that bio factors also contribute to behaviour.

Question 35

Cognitive approach assumptions

Answer 35

-thought processes can and should be stdudies scientifically and well controlled lab studies can investigate what we are thinking -mind works like a computer input from senses which it then processes and produces an output such as language or specific behaviours

Question 36

The study of internal mental processes Cognitive approach (CA) A01

Answer 36

studies informational processeing (ways in which we extract and store and retrieve info to guide our behaviour). use non-empirical thought processes by observing behaviour and making inferences (assumptions abt mental processes that cannot be observed directly). use experimental method

Question 37

The role of schemas cognitive approach

Answer 37

-mental framework that incorporates our ideas about a person or situation , from experience. Allow us to process info quickly and predict what may happen, enabling us to respond appropriately to new situations. babies are born with some innate schemas e.g.sucking. As we become older schemas become more detailed and sophisticated.

Question 38

What does the cognitive approach use to explain and make inferences about mental processes?

Answer 38

theoretical and computer models. e.g.the information processesing approach theoretical model - which suggests that info flows through the cognitive system in a sequence of stages like a computer. The computer analogy - suggests the human mind is like a computer. Uses concepts of central processing unit (brain); coding and the stores to hold info. Input->processing->output

Question 39

two evaluationpoints of using theoretical and computer models to explain and make inferences about mental processes

Answer 39

(-)over-simplistic. ignores individual differences and the role of emotion in behaviour. Could be considered machine reductionist, the belief that human functions are the result of the 'units' of activity in iformation processing systems, such as memory stores. overlooks complexity of human behaviour not adequate explanation (-)determinist view of human behaviour. comparing humans to computers suggest no freewill, control behaviour, accountable.Many psychologist believe we do have freewill.

Question 40

evaluation of cognitivist approach

Answer 40

(+)practical applications - led to development of fmri and pet which have been used to test LTM. Tulving et al (1994) used pet scans to determine which part of brain ptps were using when carrying out a task. (+)Mostly uses human ptps - different to human or behaviourist approach which often studies animals. generalise results, cognitive approach may provide a more valid explanation of HB than other approaches. (+)uses scientific method when investigating HB and assumptions are based on strong empirical evidence. Experiments as main method of investigation provides researcher with rigorous method of understanding how mind works. Assumptions of approach are based on research that establishes cause and effect objectve and reliable. (-)low ecological validity dont reflect natural everyday experiences - artificial task/material meaningless. reflect genuine behaviour. may not be adequate way of explaining complexities of real life behaviour.

Question 41

The biological approach key assumptions

Answer 41

-behaviour is affected by: -genetics -evolution -the CNS -biochemistry

Question 42

Twin studies - biological approach

Answer 42

compare monozygotic (MZ)- identical (100% same DNA) and dizygotic (DZ) - non-identical (50% same DNA). Have same bahviour is measured (concordance rate) and compared which gives an indication of how much behaviour is genetic. If the shared behaviour is more likely when the individuals are genetically the same (MZ), then arguably the behaviour has a genetic component.

Question 43

Adoption studies - biological approch

Answer 43

examine concordance rates (CR) for a behaviour between adoptive children and their biological parents (share 50% same DNA) but 0% with their adoptive parent. If high CR between bio parent and child, behaviour must be genetic as it is not possible the behaviour was learnt from bio parents as they weren't brought up by them.

Question 44

Genotype - biological approach

Answer 44

An individuals gentic make-up. Dictates characteristics such as eye and hair colour. Each individual (apart from identical twins) has a genotype which is unique to them.

Question 45

Phenotype - biological approach

Answer 45

The expression of an individuals genetic make-up which can be influenced by the environment. With a physical characteristic such as height the genotype dictates the potential height an individual can reach but environmental factors will affect how likely the person is to achieve that potential.

Question 46

Evolution and behaviour - biological approach

Answer 46

bio psychologists believe that physical characteristics and behaviour evolve in humans as individuals within a species will naturally differ from eachother and at least some of this variation is inherited. Theory of natural selection provides basis for concept that any genetically detrmined behaviour is the result of an individual drive to survive. Certain behaviour that are genetically coded will be passed on to future generations and will eventually become more and more widesperad in pop

Question 47

The influence of neurochemistry on behaviour - biological approach

Answer 47

- neurochemistry is the biochemistry of the CNS. -Neurotransmitters are thought to affect behaviour e.g. high levels of dopamine are related to schizophrenia -levels of a specific hormone in the system can affect behaviour. This happens when the endocrine glands secrete hormones into the blood stream which alters the activity of a cell and causes an individuals behaviour to change

Question 48

Evaluation of the biological approach two strengths

Answer 48

(+)successful treatment - created drugs such as anti-depressants and ant-anxiety drugs. Found to be effective for treating psychological abnormalities. Demonstrates contribution to psch and treatment based on approachs assumptions. some validity and merit (+)assumptions based on strong empirical evidence. Experiments as main method of investigation and objective techniques such as brain scans. Establishes cause and effect & likely to be objective and reliable.

Question 49

Two limitations of the biological approach

Answer 49

(-)partially based on experiments that use non-human animals. such as rats and mice as they are easy to control and manipulate and such experiments can establish cause and effect. May not provide a valid explanation of HB as culture, emotion and cognitions play a much greater role. Thereforemay not provide an accurate explanation of HB (-)takes the reductionism side of the reductionism vs holism debate. Reductionist as it attempts to explain complex HB by reducing it down to its smallest components such as actions of genes, neurochem and hormones. Does not provide a holistic explanation and many psych would agree with this standpoint (particularly humanist psych)

Question 50

The psychodynamic approach assumptions

Answer 50

1) the driving force behind behaviour is the unconscious mind 2)Insticts motivate our behaviour e.g. sexual (libido) and aggressive instics present from birth 3) Early childhood experiences determine our personality and adult behaviour 4)psychoanalysis should be used to make the unconscious mind conscious

Question 51

The id, ego and superego: when it develops and what it is

Answer 51

id= born with, it contains our primitive urges: sexual and aggressive. It demands instant gratification of its dsires superego= develops during phallic stage. Its our moral guardian and demands we obey all the rules we have ever learnt ego= develops during the anal stage. It acts as a balance between the two forces in the unconscious. A weak ego is unable to provide a proper balance. -the three elements of the personality (and the conflict between them) are shaped through experience and will affect how someone behaves

Question 52

psychodynamic approach: what causes anxiety and extreme nervousness

Answer 52

it is the product of unconscious conflict between the id and superego and to remain healthy it needs to be expressed in some way. It can be expressed in : dreams, neurotic symptoms (e.g.phobias) and defence mechanisms.

Question 53

psychodynamic approach: id - what age (from and to) and its features

Answer 53

id: birth to around 18months. the childlike, selfish and hedonistic part of your personality ('pressure principle')

Question 54

psychodynamic approach: superego - what age (from and to) and its features

Answer 54

superego: 3 to 6 yrs. Acts as an individuals conscience. It is the opposite of the id as it feels guilt and holds someone back from behaving a certain way if it is thought to be wrong ('morality principle')

Question 55

psychodynamic approach: ego - what age (from and to) and its features

Answer 55

ego: 18m to 3 yrs. Able to delay the id's drive for pleasure. It keeps the balance of influence etween the id and superego ('reality principle')

Question 56

Sychodynamic approach: define defence mechanisms and what are they called

Answer 56

defence mechanisms are everyday methods we use unconsciously to reduce anxiety. The ego uses defence mechanisms to manage the demands of the id and the superego to reduce unconscious conflict. The three defence mechanisms are: repression, denial and displacement

Question 57

The psychodynamic approach: defence mechanisms - outline repression and its effect onbehaviour

Answer 57

a type of forgetting where a painful or disturbing memory is pushed into the unconscious mind where it is not accessible to the conscious mind. The memory still exists but at an unconscious level so the person is unaware of the anxiety it causes. Effect: There is no recall of the event or sitch but the repressed memory still affects behaviour without the person being consciously aware of it.

Question 58

The psychodynamic approach: defence mechanisms - outline denial and its effect onbehaviour

Answer 58

refusal to accept the reality of an unpleasant situation. effect: someone may believe that a negative situation is positive and it therefore should not cause anxiety (this is not positive thinking, merely a resistance to accept reality)

Question 59

The psychodynamic approach: defence mechanisms - outline displacement and its effect onbehaviour

Answer 59

When the focus of a strong emotion is expressed onto a neutral person or object - a substitute object for the emotion is used (this is the bases for phobias according to freud) Effect: someone may exhibit very strong emotion but focus it onto a uninvolved person or object

Question 60

The psychodynamic approach: psychoanalysis (classical psychoanalysis) A01

Answer 60

-was developed to treat neurosis . -neurotic symptoms are the ego's attempts to somehow cope with unconscious coflict (e.g. by using defence machanisms) -psychoanalysis aims to make the unconscious conflict conscious to strengthen the ego and help them to more effectively cope.

Question 61

Pschodynamic approach: psychoanalysis - method (A01)

Answer 61

-therapist and patient build up a therapeutic relationship. Lets the patiet talk; they don't make judgement and even sit behind the patient so they can't been seen by them. As they start to reveal unconscious conflict, their ego may use a defence mechanism (resistance) - such as refusing to speak or saying therapy is a waste of time. Resistance is a good sign, psychoanalysists believe that this is a sign the therapy is getting to the unconscious problems

Question 62

Psychodynamic approach: what are the techniques used in classical psychoanalysis:

Answer 62

1)dream interpretation 2)free association e.g. reads lists of words, says first word that comes to patients head, response not had time to be censored by the ego, any pause is a sign of ego censoring 3)projective techniques, such as the Rorschach ink blot test

Question 63

The psychodynamic approach: psychosexual stages - A01

Answer 63

According to freud we all go through set stages of psychological and sexual development. They start at birth and end in late childhood. Characterised by the focus of the libido. Children require specific satisfaction or pleasure during each stage - this is called gratification. If they get too much or too little gratification during a stage they can become fixated, which can lead to a personality type e.g. oral personality, anal expulsive peronality ect

Question 64

The psychodynamic approach: psychosexual stages - name and division of each stage in order

Answer 64

1)Oral: passive, aggressive 2)Anal: Expulsive, retentive 3)Phallic: oedipus or electra complex 4)Latent}no division 5)Genital}no division

Question 65

The psychodynamic approach: psychosexual stages - age, focus of libido and description

Answer 65

1)Oral: 0-12m, focus - mouth, mothers breast is the object of desire 2)Anal: 1-3yrs, focus- anus, gains pleasure from withholding and expelling faeces 3)Phallic: 3-5yrs, focus - genitals, boys experience oedipal complex and girls go through the elctra complex 4)Latent: no focus, earlier conflicts are repressed 5)Genital: focus- genitals, sexual desires become conscious alongside the onset of puberty

Question 66

The psychodynamic approach: psychosexual stages - the effect on adult behaviour

Answer 66

1)Oral fixation - smoking, biting nails, sarcastic, critical. 2)Anal expulsive - thoughtless, messy. Anal retentive - obsessive, perfectionist 3)Phallic personality - narcissistic, reckless, possibly homosexual. 4)no effect 5)Difficulty forming heterosexual relationships

Question 67

Evaluate the psychodynamic theory of psychsexual stages

Answer 67

(+)contribution to society. Drawn attention to possible lt effects of traumatic events in childhood such as abuse and parental separation. Contributed to the well-being of people (-)gender biased. Focused almost entirely on male development with little attention to f psychosexual stages. Gender biased theory and may no apply to f. can be argued to be an example of androcentrism (-)very difficult to test scientiffically. Concepts such as libido are impossible to measure, cannot be tested. Future prediction based on the theory are too vague. research that has been conucted tends not to support freuds theory . very little scientific evidence no way of establishsing if teory is valid. (-)based upon case studies. studies were biased and not empirical research. They were recollections of his adult patients which he interpreted not actual observation and studys of children.

Question 68

evaluation of the psychodynamic approach: 2 strengths

Answer 68

(+)supported by evidence. For example, the little hans cs. LH developed a phobia of horses and freud interpreted the boys behaviour as evidence of the oediupus complex. As LH was in the phallic stage of development Freud suggested that this CS was evidence for his theory. (+)Produced successful treatment. treat mental disorders which has a frofound lasting impact on psych and psychiatry. Maych psychologists still use a form for psychoanalysis to treat various psychological disoders (e.g.PIT to treat depression) and it has supporting evidence to show its effectiveness. E.g.Bergin (1971) found 80% of patients benefited from psychoanalysis compared to 65% from other types of psychotherapies. Practical applications must have some validity and merit

Question 69

evaluation of the psychodynamic approach: two limitations

Answer 69

(-)evidence on which he based his theory is unscientific. The Cs he used had a small sample & it was an opportunity sample of his friends. The techniques he used conducting his CS such as interpretation of content of dreams from patient reports written were open to bias and subjectivity. Lacks verifiable evidence (-)determinist. freud believed that abnormality is rooted in childhood conflict stored in unconscious and therefore out of individuals control. If the individual believes that their abnormality is pre-determined and out of their control, they're unlikely to make life changes to make themselves better. This approach would be criticised by psychologists who favour the free will approach such as humanistsic pschologists who believe we have the ability to choose how to behave in a given situation.

Question 70

Humanistic approach assumptions

Answer 70

1)every person is unique and, because of this, psychology should focus on the subjective experiences, feelings and thoughts of a person. (ideographic approach) 2)each person is a rational and conscious being. People have freewill and are free to choose what they do 3)Humans should be viewed as a whole and not reduced to component parts. Therefore peoplemust be looked at from a holistic perspective rathern than trying to reduce behaviour into smaller elements as attempting to do so results in the whole person being lost. 4)The scientific method is not a valid way to study human behaviour as it tries to be too objective - humans are subjective in the ways they think and behave.

Question 71

Humanistic approach: define active agents

Answer 71

the humanistic approach suggests humans are active agents who have the ability to determine their own development and that any individual is therefore ultimately in charger of how they develop through life. therefore it is important to study the uniqueness of the individual and so reject scientific methodology.

Question 72

Humanistic approach: self-actualisation (HA= humanistic approach and HP = humanistic pschologists)

Answer 72

Hp believe every person has the innate tendancy to try to self-actualise. Which is when they attempt to achieve their full potential (highest level of Maslow's hierarchy of needs). p

Question 73

Humanistic approach: carl Rogers theory of self-actualisation

Answer 73

to reach SA it is important for the person to be fully functioning. This means they have the ability to overcome any barriers that occur in the environment or fom within. He regarded SA as an ideal and as unattainable for most. Instead, he focused on the lifelong process of changing in ways designed to help an individual to realise their full potential.

Question 74

Rogers identififed five characteristics of the fully functioning person. what are these?

Answer 74

1)Is open to experience: both negative and positive are accepted. Negative feelings arenot denied but worked through 2)Lives existentially: is in touch with different experiences as they occur in life, avoiding judging preconceptions. Being able to fully appreciate the present, not always looking back to the past or forward to the future 3)trust feelings: regards their own decisions as correct and trusts themselves to make the rigt choices. 4)Is creative: involves the ability to adjust to changes andseek new experiences 5)Has a fulfilled life: The person is happy and satisfied with life and is open to new challenges and experiences

Question 75

Humanistic approach: maslows hierarchy of needs A01

Answer 75

-In rder to achieve our primary goal of self-actualisation (a growth need), a number of other deficiency needs must be met first.Each stage must be successfully achieved before moving on to thenext stage and always striving to meet needs. -self actualisation is not permenant and if any of the lower level nees are no longer met, they we cease to be self-actualised

Question 76

What is the order of Maslows hierarchy of needs

Answer 76

psychological needs -> safety needs -> belongingness and love needs -> esteem needs -> self-actualisation

Question 77

Humanistic approach: the three selves (roger)

Answer 77

-we have 3 selves which need to intergrate to achieve self-actualisation: 1)The self-concept: how you percieve yourself to be. largely based on experience e.g.conditions of worth or unconditional positive regard (UPR)from parents. 2)The ideal self: the person you wish to be. Consists of goals and ambitions in life and is dynamic (forever changing) 3)The real self: the person you actually are. Consists of actual skills and abilities as well as limitations. The 'you' that if all goes well, you do in fact percieve yourself to be.However, if you haven't experience UPR as a child it may be necessary to engage in person-centered therapy for you to understand who your real self is.

Question 78

Humanistic approach: Rogers theory of congruence

Answer 78

need to be congruent to achieve self-actualisation. To achieve congruence, an individual needs to close the gap between their ideal self, real self, and self concept . Can only happen if they have an accurate view of who they are (self-concept) and have a more achievable and realistic ideal self. This may only happen once the individual has experienced unconditional positive regard from a therapist during cliet-centred therapy.

Question 79

Roger's theory of The Role of conditions of worth

Answer 79

-assumes that all individuals need unconditional positive regard as it is essential to the development of a well-adjusted adult. he believe that this should come from the mother but that it could also come from other family members or even a therapist

Question 80

Roger's theory of The Role of Conditions of worth: what does roger say to explain what causes most of the issues we experience as adults such as low self-esteem and feelings of worthlessness ?

Answer 80

can be explained by a lack of unconditional positive regard and the conditions of worth put on us by our parents

Question 81

What according to Roger can encourage an individual to have a negative self-concept ?

Answer 81

A parent who sets boundaries or limits on their love for their child (conditional positive regard) because they feel that there are requirements that need to be met to be loved (conditions of worth) -These conditions of worth can be real or perceived by the individual but either way it may prevent them from achieving self-actualisation

Question 82

The influence of counselling psychology: what did rogers create to help encourage individuals achieve congruence?

Answer 82

person-centred therapy which focuses on the individuals whole life course and sees the individual as the expert of their own thoughts and feelings.

Question 83

A01: person centred therapy

Answer 83

it is non-directive and encourages the person to find their own solutions within a therapeutic setting that is supportive and non-judgemental. -Helps a person become congruent by treating them with unconditional positive regard and empathy therefore restoring the lack experienced in infancy. -the client must feel that they are able to say whatever they want without judgement which enables them to realise the barriers to becoming congruent, then work through them and remove them.

Question 84

Evaluation of the Humanistic approach: 2 strengths

Answer 84

(+)significant contribution to psychology. put forward an alternative approach by suggesting that people are active agents who are able to change and determine their own development. Without the contribution of this approach to psychology our knowledge of human behaviour would be limited (+)produced successful treatments. There is evidence to suggest that client-centred therapy and other therapies developed from this approach are effective and its popularity has increased in recent years. For example, Sexton and Whiston (1994) found that client centred therapies were successful in treating anxiety for some people. Cleary has practical application and, as the treatment is based on the assumptions of the approach, its effectiveness indicates it must have at least some validity

Question 85

Evaluation of the Humanistic approach: 2 limitations

Answer 85

(-)has been criticised for rejecting the scientific approach and its failure to use the experimental method. As the HA maintains that it is more informative to study subjective human experience there is little objective evidence to support its assumptions. The subjective experience of an individual is difficult to test so the approach lacks scientific rigour. However, HP believe that subjective methods are a more appropriate and valid means of studying the reality of human experience. (-)exaggerates the significance of freewill. Some psychologists disagree with this assumption as they adopt an essentially deterministic perspective. For example, the biological approach suggests that much of our behaviour is determined by our genes that we cannot control. many psychologists therefore question the validity of the assumption that humans have freewill in any meaningful sense.