Approaches

Question 1

What are three key assumptions of the behaviourist approach

Answer 1

1. Information received from our senses is processed by the brain, and this processing directs how we behave.
2. The brain activities that take place between stimulus and response (behaviour) are known as internal mental processes, and these can be studied scientifically by making inferences. These activities may be affected by schema.
3. The mind processes information like a computer, with the output of a computer being equivalent to human behaviour.

Question 2

How does the biological approach explain behaviour

Answer 2

It explains behaviour in terms of physical factors within the body

Question 3

Two examples of neuro transmitters and their consequences if they are dysfunctional

Answer 3

• Serotonin - maintains a stable mood, dysfunctions can lead to depression
• Dopamine - controls attention and motivation, dysfunctions can lead to ADHD

Question 4

Introspection

Answer 4

The first systematic experimental attempt to study the mind by breaking up conscious awareness into thoughts images and sensations

Question 5

Psychology

Answer 5

The scientific study of the mind behaviour and experience

Question 6

Science

Answer 6

A means of acquiring knowledge through systematic and objective investigation

Question 7

WUndt and introspection

Answer 7

• 1897 Wundt built the first ever lab to study psychology - this marked the beginning of scientific psychology
• He was the first to attempt to study the mind under controlled systematic conditions, his method became known as introspection
• Wundt and his co-workers would be presented with various stimuli and would have to write their thoughts, images and sensations
• Splitting up the subconscious like this is known as structrualism

Question 8

Evaluation of Wundt’s introspection

Answer 8

His experiment was controlled and standardised, however he used the technique of self reporting which is subjective data

Question 9

What is the chronological order that the approaches were developed

Answer 9

• 1900s Sigmund Freud, psychodynamic approach
• Watson and Skinner’s behaviourist approach, 1910s
• Rogers and Maslow, humanistic approach, 1950s
• Cognitive approach, 1950s
• Bandura’s social learning theory, 1960s
• 1980s, biological approach
• 21st century, cognitive neuroscience