Approaches Flashcards
What are the different approaches
Behaviour Social learning theory Cognitive Biological Bipsychology Psychodynamic Humanistic
What are the key features of the behaviourist approach
- observable behaviour only
- lab experiments
- advocate use of animals
- classical conditioning
- operant conditioning
- positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement and punishment
Why was introspection rejected by behaviourists
Concepts were vague and difficult to measure
Why did behaviourists use lab experiments
They tried to maintain more control and objectivity
What is introspection
Studying and reporting thought processes
Why do behaviourists advocate the use of animals in research
The processes that govern learning are the same in all species so non human animals can replace humans as experimental subjects
How do you learn classical conditioning
Through association
How does classical conditioning work
Before conditioning: unconditioned response to unconditioned stimulus.
During conditioning:
Neutral stimulus and unconditioned stimulus presented at same time.
After conditioning:
The neutral stimulus before a conditioned stimulus and produces a conditioned response
What did Skinner suggest that learning is
An active process whereby humans and animals operate on their environment
In operant conditioning what is behaviour done
Shaped and maintained by its consequence
What is positive reinforcement
Receiving a reward when a behaviour is performed
What is negative reinforcement
When an animal or humans produces a behaviour that avoids something unpleasant
What is punishment
An unpleasant consequence of behaviour
What do positive reinforcement, negative reinforced and punishment do
P and N reinforment increase the likelihood that bevaiour will be repeated and punishment decreases the liklihood of the behaviour
Procedure of Skinner study
Experiment with rats in specially designed cages. Animals were kept at about three quarters of normal weight to ensure it was hungry. All aspects were controlled.
Every time the rat pulled a lever it was rewarded with food.
In other variations the rat had to perform the behaviour to avoid unpleasant stimulus like electric shock.
Key study for operant conditioning
Skinners box
Findings of Skinners box
Rewards led to behaviour being repeated (positive reinforcement)
Negative reinforment led to repeated behaviour to avoid negative stimulus
Study for classical conditioning
Pavlov
Procedure of pavlovs study
Before learning food ( UCS) would produce the innate response of salivation (UCR).
During learning Pavlov would sound a bell ( NS) every time he presented the dog with food. This was done multiple times
Findings of Pavlovs study
After learning the dog would salivate (CR) every time the bell was presented on its own (CS).
Through classical conditioning the dog has learnt to associate the sound of the bell with food.
Limitation of the behaviourist approach
Using animals has ethical issues. Skinners box allowed behaviourists a high degree of control however Animals involved were exposed to stressful conditionings which may have effected how they reacted to the experimental situation. Means validity of findings might be questionable.
Strength of behaviourist approach (prisons)
Real world applications. Token economy systems (based on OC) have been used successfully in prisons. These work by rewarding appropriate behaviour with tokens can be exchanged for privledges. Therefore there’s a good application to help behaviour
Limitation of behaviourist approach (mechanistic)
Based on mechanistic view of behaviour. Says we have little conscious insight into our behaviour. Other approaches such as social learning theory and cognitive approach char placed more emphasis on mental events that occur during learning. May suggest that people okay a much more active role in their own learning than the behaviourists day.
Key features of social learning theory
- learning occurs indirectly
- observing consequences of behaviour
- mediational (cognitive) processes play crucial role
- recognised distinction between learning and performance
- identification with role roles
- two types of modelling
What is vicarious reinforcement (bandura)
Reinforcement which is not directly experienced but occurs through observing someone else being reinforced for a behaviour. This is a key factor in imitation
What is social learning theory the bridge between
The cognitive approach and behaviourism
What are mediational processes
Cognitive factors that influence learning and come between stimulus and response (SLT)
What are the four mediational processes
Attention - behaviour is noticed
Retention - whether behaviour is remembered
Motor reproduction - ability of the observer to perform the behaviour
Motivation - the will to perform the behaviour
What is a contrast between behaviourism and social learning theory
Learning and performance of behaviour may not necessarily occur together (SLT)
What are role models
Children are more likely to imitate the behaviour of people with whom they identify. These are role models: people who have qualities we would like to have and we identify with, this we model or imitate their behaviour and attitudes
What is modelling from the observers perspective
It is imitating the behaviour of a role model
What is modelling from the role models perspective
Demonstrating behaviour that may be imitated by an observer
Who was the researcher for both studies in social learning theory
Bandura
Procedure of Banduras study of role models
In the lab, children aged 3-5 years watched a film of an adult behaving aggressively towards a Bobo doll.
Second experimental group of children watched an adult interact normally with bobo doll.
Children then led into a room and given toys to play with including a bobo doll. Behaviour towards doll recorded
Findings of bandura study into role models
Found differences in behaviour between groups. Aggressive group imitated specific actions they had previously seen and repeating some words like ‘pow’.
Conclusions of Banduras study into role models
Children immitate the behaviour of role models even when such behaviour is aggressive.
Who did the study into vicarious reinforcement
Bandura
Procedure of Banduras study into vicarious reinforcement
Similar to original study but with three groups of children watching.
Group 1: children saw adult praised for aggressive behaviour
Group 2: saw adult punished
Group 3: saw no consequence
Findings of Banduras study into vicarious reinforcement
When given own bobo doll: group 1 showed the most aggression followed by group 3 and then 2.
Conclusions of Banduras study into vicarious reinforcement
Suggests that imitation of behaviour is more likely if the role model has been rewarded for their actions. This shows the importance of vicarious reinforcement in the learning of behaviour
Strength of social learning theory
Emphasises importance of cognitive factors in learning. Behaviourism can’t offer a comprehensive account of human learning because cognitive factors are ommitted. Animals store information about others and use this to make judgements about when to perform certain actions. SLT provides a more convincing explanation of human learning than behaviourism by recognising the importance of mediational processes.
Weakness of SLT (lab)
Many of Banduras ideas were developed through observation of children in lab settings raising the problem of demand characteristics. In bobo doll experiment the main purpose of the doll is to hit it so children may have been behaving in a way that they thought was expected. Thus the research may tell us little about his children learn aggression in everyday life.
Weakness of SLT (Biological)
Underestimates influence of biological factors. In bobo doll experiments boys showed more aggression than girls. May be explained by hormonal factors such as different levels of testosterone which has been linked to aggression. Means that Bandura May have overlooked the important influence of biological factors on social learning
Strength of SLT ( less determinist)
SLT is less determinist than the behaviourist approach. Bandura emphasised reciprocal determinism. This suggests that there is some free will in the way we behave. This is more realistic and flexible position than suggested by the behaviourist approach as it recognises the role we play in shaping our own environment
What is reciprocal determinism
A persons behaviour both influences and is influenced by personal factors and the environment
Key features of the cognitive approach
- internal mental processes
- role of inference in the study of mental processes
- theoretical models used
- computer models used
- idea of schema is central
- cognitive neuroscience
What does the cognitive approach investigated that was neglected by behaviourism
Perception and memory
Why does the cognitive approach have to make inferences
Mental process s are private and cannot be observer so cognitive psychologists study them indirectly
What is an important theoretical model in the cognitive approach
The information processing approach which suggests that information flows through a sequence of stages that include input, storage and retrieval like in the multi-store model
What is the information processing approach
Any theory that equates the mind to a computer: input, processing and output of information
What is the computer analogy in the cognitive approach
There are similarities in the way computers and human minds process information.
Example of the computer analogy in the cognitive approach
The use of a central processor (the brain), the changing of information into a usable code and the use of ‘stores’ to hold information
What are schemas
Packages of information developed through experience. They act as a mental framework for the interpretation of incoming information received by the cognitive system.
What are babies born with
Simple motor schemas for innate behaviours such as sucking and grasping. As we get older our schema becomes more detailed and sophisticated
What is cognitive neuroscience
Scientific study of the influence of brain structures (‘neuro’) on mental processes (thinking I.e cognition)
With advances of brain scanning techniques in the last 20 years, what have scientists been able to describe
The neurological basis of mental processing this includes research into memory that had linked episodic and semantic memories to opposite sides of the prefrontal cortex
Strength of the cognitive approach
Uses scientific and objective methods. Cognitive psychologists have always employed controlled and rigorous methods of study like lab experiments. Enabled two fields of biology and cognitive psychologists to come together. Means that the study of the mind has established a credible, scientific basis
Weakness of cognitive approach (reductionism)
Based on machine reductionism. Although there are similarities between the human mind and a computer the computer analogy has been criticised. Human emotion has been shown to influence accuracy of recall but there factors are not considered with the computer analogy. Therefore cognitive approach oversimplifies human processing and ignores important aspects that influence performance
Strength of conflictive approach (real life)
Application of key concepts to real life. Cognitive approach is dominant in psychology today and has been applied to a wide range of practical and theoretical contexts. It had made important contribution to the field of artificial intelligence and the development of thinking machines (robot). These exciting advances are likely to revolutionise how we live in the future
Weakness of cognitive approach (validity)
Lacks validity. Only able to infer mental processes from the behaviour they observe in labs, so the approach sometimes suffer from being too abstract and theoretical. Research is often carried out using artificial stimulus such as recall of word lists in studies of memory which may not represent everyday experience. Therefore research into cognitive processes may lack external validity
Key features of the biological approach
- everything psychological is at first biological
- behaviour has a genetic and neurochemical basis
- mind and body being one and the same
- twin studies are important
- different between genotype and phenotype
- Darwin’s theory of evolution to explain behaviour
In biological approach give examples of biological structures and processes within the body
Genes
Neurochemistry
Nervous system
What do behaviour geneticists study
Whether behaviour characteristics such as intelligence are inherited like physical characteristics like eye colour
What can neurochemistry explain
Behaviour for example low levels of serotonin are associated with OCD
How does the biological approach contrast with the cognitive approach
For a biological approach the mind lives in the brain meaning all thoughts, feelings and behaviours have a physical basis. Cognitive sees the mind as separate form the brain g
How are twin studies important in investigating the genetic basis of behaviour in the biological approach
Determines the extent to which some characteristics have a genetic basis by comparing concordant rates. Higher concordance rates among identical twins than non-identical twins tend to be evidence of a genetic basis
What are concordance rates
Extent to which both twins share the same characteristics
What are identical twins called
Monozygotic
What are non identical twins called
Dizygotic
What is the difference between genotype and phenotype
Genotype is their actual genetic makeup whereas phenotype is the way the genes are expressed through physical, behavioural and psychological characteristics
What is the phenotype influenced by
Environmental factors
What does genotype and phenotype suggest
That much of human behaviour depends on the interaction of nature and nurture
Example of phenotype overriding genotype through environmental influences
PKU (phenylketunuria) is an inherited condition which can lead to severe learning difficulties if left unchecked however if the child is placed on special diet they will develop normally
Describe Darwin’s theory of natural selection
Any genetically determined behaviour that enhanced survival will be passed on to future generations.
Such genes are described as adaptive and gives the possessor certain advantages.
Attachment behaviours in new burns promote survival and are therefore adaptive and naturally selected
Strength of the biological approach
Increased understanding of biochemical processes in the brain has led to the development of defence that treat serious mental disorders like depression. Although these are not effective for all patients they have revalutionised treatment for many. Means that sufferers can manage their condition and live a relatively normal life.
Strength of biological approach (methods)
Scientific methods of investigation. Includes scanning techniques such as FMRI and EEG, twin studies and dug trials. With advances in technology it is possible to accurately measure biological processes in ways that are not bias. Means the biological approach is based on reliable data
Limitation of biological approach (determinism)
It’s deterministic. Sees humans who are governed by biological causes we have no control over. This is at odds with the legal system which sees offenders as personally and morally responsible for their actions. The discovery of a ‘criminal gene’ may suggest that some people are not acting freely complicating the legal system. This has implications for wider society as criminals may be able to excuse their behaviour
What is the nervous system
Specialised network of cells and the primary communication system in the body
What are the two main functions of the nervous system
To collect, process and respond to information in the environment.
To co-ordinate the working of different organs and cells in th body.