Approaches Flashcards
Cognitive Approach
Cognitive psychologists argue we must refer to thought processes to explain behaviour. Central to the cognitive approach is internal mental processes (IMP) eg perception and attention. IMP mediate between stimulus and response
Cog. Psychologists use lab experiments to observe behaviour and by doing so make inferences. Inferences are conclusions about mental processes on the basis of an individual’s behaviours
A scheme is a collection of ideas about a person or situation that is built from experience. Their role is to help is understand or predict the world but can lead to perceptual errors
Cog psychologists use theoretical and computer models to explain and make inferences about mental processes eg MSM
For example the information processing model explains how their is an input of information which is processed through the scheme and there is an output of behaviour
Cognitive neuroscience is the study of biological structures which underpin cognitive processes. It emerged in the 70s to bridge the gap between cognitive science and neuroscience. It uses brain imaging techniques to understand the neurological basis of mental processes
Biological Approach
The biological approach explains behaviour in terms of physical processes. Biopsychologist’s focus on the brain as the origin of behaviour. They explain that the mind (rather than being separate from the brain) lives inside of the brain and all thoughts feelings and behaviours have a physical basis.
The biological approach looks at:
The biological structure which refers to the organisation of organs, organ systems and living beings and the neurochemistry which refers to the regulation of psychological functioning of chemicals in the brain
Evolutionary psychologists argue that behaviour such as aggression is genetic and therefore passed down to successive genes through natural selection.
Biopsychologists therefore look at genes which are inherited by parents, consist of DNA and codes our physical and psychological features.
Behaviour geneticists look at the concordance rates of behaviour characteristics, for example mental disorders in identical twins (MZ) and in non-identical twins (DZ) as MZ share 100% and DZ share 50%
Genotype: a particular set of genes a person has
Phenotype: characteristics determined by genes and environment
Evaluation of cognitive approach
Strengths:
It is arguably the most dominant approach used in psychology. This is because it uses scientific methodology which produces objective and reliable data. It has contributed to the development of robots
It is also based on soft determinism which suggests we are free to think-but only of what we know. This is more reasonable that hard determinism
Weaknesses:
It is criticised for machine reductionism. Due to viewing the mind as a computer it ignores human emotion which seems to influence cognitive systems
External Validity- using data such as word lists for memory studies doesn’t represent day-to-day life
The behaviourist approach evaluation
Strengths:
It has given psychology scientific credibility and has led to real life applications
It is based on highly controlled lab settings which has provided reliable and observable findings that can be generalised
It has also led to token economy systems being set up in institutions and has contributed to the development of treatments for phobias
However:
Skinner believed that we do no have free will because our behaviour is determined by past experiences which is disputed
The use of animals is questionable both in terms of generalising and ethical reasons
Evaluation of SLT
Strengths:
Includes cognitive factors which recognises the importance of mediation all processes making it more comprehensible
Weaknesses:
Banduras research was lab based which may challenge its external validity
Banduras research ignores biological factors. For example the boys were more aggressive that the boys suggesting it may have been due to testosterone
