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Psychology A-level context + evaluation > Approaches > Flashcards

Approaches Flashcards

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1
Q

Behaviourist approach

A

way of explaining behaviour in terms of what is observable and in terms of learning.

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2
Q

Classical conditioning

A

Learning by association - occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired together, eventually neutral stimulus produces same response as unlearned stimulus alone.

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3
Q

Operant conditioning

A

Learning where behaviour is shaped and maintained through consequences including, positive and negative reinforcement or punishment.

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4
Q

Pavlov’s dogs

A

Dogs learnt to associate the sound of a bell with food.

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5
Q

BF skinner’s rats

A

Designed a cage where every time the rat activated a lever was rewarded with food, also done with electric shocks.

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6
Q

Evaluation of learning approach - scientific credibility

A

Focused on measurement of observable behaviour in lab settings. Emphasis on objectivity and replication = influential in development of psychology.

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7
Q

Evaluation of learning approach - Real-life application

A

Operant conditioning basis of token economy systems successful in prisons and psychiatric wards. Classical conditioning = treatment of phobias.

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8
Q

Evaluation of learning approach - Mechanistic view of behaviour

A

Animals = passive and machine like with little to no insight. SLT and cognitive emphasise importance of mental events when learning, applies less to humans than animals.

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9
Q

Evaluation of learning approach - Environmental determinism.

A

Ignores free will, behaviourists see all behaviour as determined. Skinner = free will is an illusion.

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10
Q

Evaluation of learning approach - ethical issues

A

Animals gave no consent to taking part and rats got electrocuted.

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11
Q

Who proposed the Social learning theory?

A

Albert Bandura

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12
Q

Social learning theory

A

Way of explaining behaviour that includes both direct and indirect reinforcement combining learning theory with cognitive factors.

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13
Q

Vicarious reinforcement

A

Indirect learning, individual observes behaviour of others and may imitate it but only occurs when rewarded.

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14
Q

What is the mediational process attention?

A

the extent to which we notice certain behaviours

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15
Q

What is the mediational process Retention?

A

How well the behaviour is remembered.

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16
Q

What is the mediational process Motor reproduction?

A

The ability of the observer to perform the behaviour.

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17
Q

What is the mediational process motivation?

A

the will to perform the behaviour, whether it was rewarded or punished.

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18
Q

Identification

A

More likely to imitate behaviour of role models called modelling. Don’t necessarily have to be present could be online, importance of media.

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19
Q

Evaluation of SLT - importance of cognitive factors.

A

Gives a comprehensive explanation of human learning from the learning theory by recognising the role of mediational processes.

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20
Q

Evaluation of SLT - Over-reliance on evidence from lab studies.

A

Lab studies criticised for artificial setting leading to demand characteristics. Bobo doll - role was to strike it and kids did. Little info about kids aggression in life.

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21
Q

Evaluation of SLT - Underestimates biological factors.

A

Consistent finding of bobo doll experiment = boys more aggressive than girls. Hormonal factors like testosterone?

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22
Q

Evaluation of SLT - Explains cultural differences in behaviour

A

Can be used in different cultures as it explains how children learn behaviour from people around them. Understand children and their gender role.

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23
Q

Evaluation of SLT - less deterministic than BH.

A

Reciprical determinism = influenced by external environment but also exert influence on it. There is some free will in how we behave.

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24
Q

Cognitive approach

A

Cognitive means mental processes and therefore the approach focuses on mental processes (thoughts, perceptions)

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25
Q

Theoretical model (cognitive approach)

A

Information processing, suggesting that information flows through sequences of stages = input, storage and retrieval (MSM).

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26
Q

Computer models

A

Mind compared to a computer, similar in information processing. (coding and use of stores) = artificial intelligence.

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27
Q

Schema

A

A mental framework of beliefs and expectations that influence cognitive processing - developed from experience.

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28
Q

The role of a schema

A

Enables info to be processed quickly like a mental short-cut, they can distort interpretations of sensory info.

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29
Q

Cognitive neuroscience

A

The scientific study of biological structures that underpin cognitive processes.

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30
Q

Paul Broca 1860’s

A

identified how damage to the frontal lobe can impair speech production.

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31
Q

Advances in brain imaging

A

FMRI, PET scans allow access to the observation of mental processes. e.g. Long term memory and also the link between parahippocampal gyrus and OCD.

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32
Q

Evaluation of cognitive - scientific and objective methods

A

Highly controlled lab experiments = high internal validity. Allowed the emergence of biology and cognitive psychology, credible by science.

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33
Q

Evaluation of cognitive - Machine reductionism

A

Similarities between human brain and operations of computer, has been criticised as the computer doesn’t feel emotions like humans can.

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34
Q

Evaluation of cognitive - Application to everyday life

A

cognitive sometimes too abstract an theoretical in nature. Often research on mental processes uses artificial stimuli = lack of external validity.

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35
Q

Evaluation of cognitive - Real-life application

A

Important contribution to to the field of artificial intelligence - thinking robots, revolutionise the future.

36
Q

Evaluation of cognitive - less deterministic

A

Soft determinism recognises that we are free to think before responding to a stimulus.

37
Q

Biological approach

A

emphasises the importance of physical processes in the body such as genetic inheritance and neural function.

38
Q

What do Behaviour geneticists study?

A

whether behavioural characteristics such as intelligence, personality, and mental disorder etc. are inherited like eye and hair colour are.

39
Q

Why are twins used to measure concordance rates?

A

They share the same or similar genes depending if they are identical or not.

40
Q

What has been the finding of twin studies?

A

Monozygotic have higher concordance rates than dizygotic suggesting a genetic basis. MZ twins 100% and DZ 50% of genes shared.

41
Q

What is the difference between genotype and phenotype?

A

genotype is their actual genetic make-up, whereas phenotype is the way genes are expressed through physical, behavioural and psychological characteristics.

42
Q

Genotype

A

influenced by environmental factors on why they look different, one twin dyes there hair.

43
Q

Phenotype

A

Even though twins have same genes they may express ones more than the other, causing them to be different.

44
Q

Evolution

A

Charles Darwin = theory of natural selection - genetically determined behaviour that enhances survival an continue in future generations.

45
Q

Evaluation of biological approach - scientific explanations of investigation

A

Uses scanning techniques e.g. FMRI’s, EEGs, family + twin studies + drug trials. Accurate in measuring biological + neural processes not open to bias. Based on reliable data.

46
Q

Evaluation of biological approach - Real-life application

A

Understanding of biochemical processes = development of psychoactive drugs that treat mental illnesses (depression). Sufferers can manage illness.

47
Q

Evaluation of biological approach - causal conclusions

A

Explanation of mental illness using neurotransmitters. Lack of drug causes disorder, discovering association doesn’t mean cause seen in biological approach.

48
Q

Evaluation of biological approach - deterministic

A

Biological determinism, we are determined by biological causes = implication for legal system.

49
Q

Evaluation of biological approach - Can’t separate nature and nurture.

A

Focuses on family and twin genetic similarities. However, confounding variable in same environment so nurture as well as nature. Comparison of MZ and DZ twins.

50
Q

The nervous system

A

specialised network of cells in the body that is the primary communication system, it responds to environment and coordinates workings of organs and cells.

51
Q

Central nervous system

A

made up of brain (highly developed cerebral cortex makes us different to animals) and spinal cord =extension of the brain, responsible for reflexes.

52
Q

Peripheral nervous system

A

transmits messages via millions of neurons to CNS, it is subdivided into Autonomic and Somatic nervous system.

53
Q

Autonomic nervous system

A

transmits info to and from organs, operates involuntarily, governs breathing, heart rate etc.. 2 divisions - sympathetic and parasympathetic.

54
Q

Somatic nervous system

A

controls muscle movement and receives info from sensory receptors, sends to CNS

55
Q

endocrine system

A

instructs glands to release hormones into bloodstream to go to target organs. e.g. thyroid gland produces thyroxine that increases heart rate and metabolic rates.

56
Q

What is known as the ‘master gland’ located in the brain?

A

Pituitary gland - controls and releases hormones from all endocrine glands in the body.

57
Q

Fight or flight

A

ANS changes from para to sympathetic influencing adrenaline to be released by adrenal medulla. This causes increased heart rate as soon as threat is detected.

58
Q

What happens after fight or flight response?

A

Parasympathetic returns to state acting as a ‘brake’ reducing activities of the body caused by the response.

59
Q

Three types of neuron

A

Motor, sensory and relay.

60
Q

structure of neuron

A

cell body includes nucleus dendrites protrude from cell body. Axon carries impulses away from cell covered in myelin sheath protecting electrical message. Nodes of ranvier quicken process jumping pulses. terminal buttons communicate neuron across synapse.

61
Q

Electric transmission

A

neuron resting = -ve charged. Activated by stimulus inside cell thats +ve causing an action potential. Causes electrical impulse travel down axon to end of neuron.

62
Q

Chemical transmission

A

Neurons communicate via neural networks. Signals within neuron electric, signals between neuron chemical. when reach end of neuron neurotransmitter releases in tiny sacs called synaptic vesicles.

63
Q

Neurotransmitter

A

Crosses gap taken by postsynaptic receptor site and converted back to electrical. Each neuroT has its own specific molecular structure that fits like lock and key.

64
Q

What does the neuroT Acetylcholine do?

A

found at each point where a motor neuron meets a muscle, causes the muscle to contract.

65
Q

Excitation

A

when a neuroT increases the +ve charge of postsynaptic neuron. Increase likelihood of neuron passing on electric message. (adrenaline)

66
Q

Inhibition

A

When a neuroT (serotonin) increases -ve charge of postsynaptic neuron. Decreases likelihood of neuron passing on electric message.

67
Q

Psychodynamic approach

A

Describes the different forces, most of which are unconscious, that operate on the mind and direct human behaviour and experience.

68
Q

The unconscious

A

A part of the mind that we are unaware of but which continues to direct much of our behaviour.

69
Q

Preconscious

A

Between conscious and unconscious includes thoughts and ideas which may become aware in dreams.

70
Q

Id

A

unconscious made up of selfish aggressive instincts that demand immediate gratification. Only one present at birth.

71
Q

Ego

A

Reality principle balancing the conflict demands of id and superego. Develops at age 2.

72
Q

What are the defence mechanisms used by the ego?

A

Repression, Denial and displacement.

73
Q

Superego

A

Moralistic part of our personality which represents the ideal self. Formed at the end of the phallic stage.

74
Q

What are the psychosexual stages.

A 
Oral 0-1yrs
Anal 1-3yrs
Phallic 3-5yrs
Latency
Genital
75
Q

what happens if psychosexual stages are unresolved?

A

Child becomes fixated with the stage and stuck carrying behaviours and conflicts through to adulthood.

76
Q

Evaluation of Psychodynamic - Explanatory power

A

Huge influence on psychology. Used to explain personality disorder, abnormal behaviour etc. Draws attention to behaviours and relationships in adulthood.

77
Q

Evaluation of psychodynamic - Case study method

A

Freuds research based on study of individuals often in therapy. His interpretations were highly subjective (little hans). Methods lack scientific rigour.

78
Q

Evaluation of psychodynamic - Untestable concepts.

A

Karl Popper argued approach doesn’t meet scientific criterion of falsification . Unconscious level we can’t test. Popper = pseudoscience aka fake.

79
Q

Evaluation of psychodynamic - Practical application

A

Brought new forms of therapy - hypnosis. Forerunner to many psychotherapies. Also seen as harmful and inappropriate for those suffering mental disorders.

80
Q

Evaluation of psychodynamic - Psychic determinism

A

No such thing as an ‘accident’. Slip of the tongue. All behaviour as determined by the unconscious. Ignores free will.

81
Q

Humanistic approach

A

emphasises the importance of subjective experience and each person’s capacity for self-determination.

82
Q

Who are the Humanistic psychologists?

A

Rogers and Maslow

83
Q

Free will

A

Humans can make their own choices and are not determined by biological or external forces.

84
Q

Self-actualisation

A

The desire to grown to fulfil one’s full potential. It is the uppermost level in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. To reach this you have to go through the lower levels.

85
Q

What are Maslows hierarchy or needs?

A

Physiological needs, Safety and security, love and belonging, self-esteem and self-actualisation.

Psychology A-level context + evaluation (9 decks)

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