Approaches

Question 1

Who set up the first psychology lab, and when and where?

Answer 1

Wilhelm Wundt, in 1879, in Leipzig, Germany.

Question 2

The method Wundt pioneered

Answer 2

Introspection- the first systematic experimental attempt to study the mind

Question 3

Standardised procedure

Answer 3

The same standardised instructions are given to all participants, procedures can be replicated

Question 4

Significance of Wundt’s work

Answer 4

It marked the separation of modern scientific psychology from its broader philosophical roots

Question 5

Emergence of psychology as a science- 1900s

Answer 5

Early behaviourists rejected introspection- John B. Watson argued introspection was subjective and that psychology should only things that could be observed and measured

Question 6

Emergence of psychology as a science- 1930s

Answer 6

Behaviourist scientific approach dominated psychology- B. F. Skinner brought elements of the natural sciences into psychology, there was use of carefully controlled lab studies which would dominate psychology for the next few decades

Question 7

Emergence of psychology as a science- 1950s

Answer 7

Cognitive approach used scientific procedures to study mental processes- cognitive psychologists were able to make inference about how mental processes work on the basis of tests conducted in a lab

Question 8

Emergence of psychology as a science- 1990s

Answer 8

The biological approach introduced technological advances, such as fMRI and EEG

Question 9

Evaluation- strength of Wundt

Answer 9

Some aspects would be classed as scientific today e.g. lab conditions, standardised

Question 10

Evaluation- weakness of Wundt

Answer 10

Some aspects wouldn’t be classed as scientific e.g. self-reporting

Question 11

Evaluation- strength of psychology as a science

Answer 11

Research can claim to be scientific- same aims as natural sciences, most of the approaches rely on use of scientific methods

Question 12

Evaluation- weakness of psychology as a science

Answer 12

Not all approaches use objective methods e.g. humanistic and psychodynamic use case studies, documenting of subjective experiences

Question 13

Learning approach

Answer 13

Behaviourism

Social learning theory

Question 14

Key assumptions of the behaviourist approach

Answer 14

Focus on observable behaviour only (not concerned with mental processes)
Use controlled lab studies
Use non-human animals (processes are the same in all species?)

Question 15

Classical conditioning research

Answer 15

Pavlov’s dogs

Question 16

Operant conditioning reserach

Answer 16

Skinner’s box

Question 17

Consequences of behaviour

Answer 17

Positive reinforcement
Negative reinforcement
Punishment

Question 18

Positive reinforcement

Answer 18

Receiving a reward when behaviour is performed

Question 19

Negative reinforcement

Answer 19

When an animal or human produces behaviour that avoids something unpleasant

Question 20

Punishment

Answer 20

An unpleasant consequence of behaviour

Question 21

Positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement…

Where as punishment…

Answer 21

increase the likelihood that behaviour will be repeated

decreases it

Question 22

Evaluation- strength of behaviourism

Answer 22

It gave psychology scientific credibility- focuses on careful movement of observable behaviour within controlled lab settings, objectivity and replication is emphasised

Question 23

Evaluation- strength of behaviourism

Answer 23

Real life application e.g. token economy systems are successfully used in prisons and psychiatric wards

Question 24

Evaluation- weakness of behaviourism

Answer 24

Portrays a mechanistic view- Other approaches place more emphasis on mental events that occur during learning; the processes that mediate between stimulus and response suggest we play a more active role

Question 25

Evaluation- weakness of behaviourism

Answer 25

A form of environmental determinism- sees all behaviour as determined by past experiences and ignores any free will

Question 26

Evaluation- weakness of behaviourism

Answer 26

Animal research has ethical and practical issues- stressful conditions etc. may have changed the way they acted