Approaches Flashcards
Who set up the first psychology lab, and when and where?
Wilhelm Wundt, in 1879, in Leipzig, Germany.
The method Wundt pioneered
Introspection- the first systematic experimental attempt to study the mind
Standardised procedure
The same standardised instructions are given to all participants, procedures can be replicated
Significance of Wundt’s work
It marked the separation of modern scientific psychology from its broader philosophical roots
Emergence of psychology as a science- 1900s
Early behaviourists rejected introspection- John B. Watson argued introspection was subjective and that psychology should only things that could be observed and measured
Emergence of psychology as a science- 1930s
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
Emergence of psychology as a science- 1950s
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
Emergence of psychology as a science- 1990s
The biological approach introduced technological advances, such as fMRI and EEG
Evaluation- strength of Wundt
Some aspects would be classed as scientific today e.g. lab conditions, standardised
Evaluation- weakness of Wundt
Some aspects wouldn’t be classed as scientific e.g. self-reporting
Evaluation- strength of psychology as a science
Research can claim to be scientific- same aims as natural sciences, most of the approaches rely on use of scientific methods
Evaluation- weakness of psychology as a science
Not all approaches use objective methods e.g. humanistic and psychodynamic use case studies, documenting of subjective experiences
Learning approach
Behaviourism
Social learning theory
Key assumptions of the behaviourist approach
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?)
Classical conditioning research
Pavlov’s dogs
Operant conditioning reserach
Skinner’s box
Consequences of behaviour
Positive reinforcement
Negative reinforcement
Punishment
Positive reinforcement
Receiving a reward when behaviour is performed
Negative reinforcement
When an animal or human produces behaviour that avoids something unpleasant
Punishment
An unpleasant consequence of behaviour
Positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement…
Where as punishment…
increase the likelihood that behaviour will be repeated
decreases it
Evaluation- strength of behaviourism
It gave psychology scientific credibility- focuses on careful movement of observable behaviour within controlled lab settings, objectivity and replication is emphasised
Evaluation- strength of behaviourism
Real life application e.g. token economy systems are successfully used in prisons and psychiatric wards
Evaluation- weakness of behaviourism
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
Evaluation- weakness of behaviourism
A form of environmental determinism- sees all behaviour as determined by past experiences and ignores any free will
Evaluation- weakness of behaviourism
Animal research has ethical and practical issues- stressful conditions etc. may have changed the way they acted
