Approaches Flashcards
Why was Wundt so important
He was the first scientist to open a laboratory purely for psychological research in Leipzig 1879
How did Wundt investigate the human mind
What is this
Introspection
‘Looking into’ - where people were asked to reflect on their own cognitive processes and describe them and trying to break up conscious awareness into basic structures of thoughts, images and sensations
What is the problem with introspection
Non-observable= relied on participants reports being accurate Subjective= open to interpretation
Some of Wundt’s methods have been praised for being scientific, what made his experiments this
What did this mean
All his experiments were recorded in strict conditions using the same stimulus
Used the same standardised instructions for all participants
His procedures could be replicated
Define psychology
The scientific study of the human mind and its functions, especially those functions that affect behaviour
Define classical conditioning
Learning through association
Describe Ivan Pavlovs work
Classical conditioning:
Dogs can be conditioned to salivate at the sound of a bell
Gradually pavlovs dogs began to associate the sound of a bell with the food which would cause them to salivate
The dogs learnt to associate the food ( unconditioned stimulus) with the bell (conditioned stimulus) and would salivate ( conditioned response)
Describe Watson and Rayners work (1920)
Classical conditioning:
Conditioned a fear response in a baby
Every time ‘little Albert’ made contact with the white rat, the researcher would make a loud bang which would make the child cry
After doing this repeatedly, the child began to fear the rat because it associated it with the loud bang
Rat=fear
Name the four key principles of classical conditioning
Extinction
Spontaneous recovery
Generalisation
Discrimination
Describe the process of systematic desensitisation
The patient is taught to monitor their own anxiety levels- they learn to associate something positive/ relaxing with the object that gives them anxiety
A hierarchy of fear must be introduced, and by progressive exposure they become gradually more and more exposed to the threat
Define operant conditioning
Learning through reinforcement/ consequences
Describe Skinners work
Operant conditioning & skinners box:
The rat learned that if it was to press a specific lever it would be rewarded with food (positive reinforcement)
They were also conditioned to press a lever to get rid of an unpleasant stimulus i.e electric shock
What was an advantage of skinners box
The researcher (skinner) had complete control over the box and what the animal experienced
What are the three types of reinforcement
Positive= Recieving a reward Negative= avoiding something unpleasant Punishment= an unpleasant consequence
What is the purpose of
P+N reinforcement
Both strengthen a certain behaviour ( increase likelihood of being repeated)
Evaluate the behaviourist approach research methods
✅high control and replication
✅objective
❌artificial
Briefly state the three evaluation points for Behaviourism
✅practical application
❌reductionist
❌use of animals
Behaviourist approach AO3
-practical application to real life
Classical conditioning has been used to treat phobias through systematic desensitisation. (Associate fear with a relaxation)
THEREFORE a strength of BHV is that it contributes to helping people
Behaviourist approach AO3
- use of animals
Animal behaviour is FAR different from human behaviour for example animals have different internal mental processes to humans and different orders of priorities/ communication/ language
THEREFORE a limitation of bhv is that we cannot generalise animals to humans
Behaviourist approach AO3
-reductionist
Reduces all behaviour down to the environment, ignoring roles of hormones and genes on our behaviour. Different to biological approach which is reductionist in the sense that it reduces all behaviour down to genetics and ignores the role of the environment
THEREFORE a limitation of bhv is that it has a rather limited view of human behaviour as it fails to consider the roles of different factors on our bhv
Define:
Imitation
Modelling as the observer
Modelling as the role model
Copying behaviour of others
Imitating the behaviour of the role model
The demonstration of a specific behaviour thar may be imitated by an observer
Define mediational processes
Cognitive factors that influence learning that come between a stimulus and a response
What are the four mediational processes
Attention= the extent to which we notice certain bhv Retention= how well behaviour is remembered Reproduction= the ability to perform the bhv Motivation= the will to perform the bhv
Define identification
When an observer associate themselves with a role model and wants to be like the role model
Who is likely to be a role model
Someone of the same gender, the same age or older, powerful or of high status or friendly or likeable
Define vicarious reinforcement
Reinforcement which is not directly experienced but occurs through observing someone else being reinforced for a behaviour
Describe the work of Bandura in 1960
Bobo doll aggression: LAB EXP.
Children (3-5yr) were taken into a room filled with toys and a bobo doll, half were shown a adult playing with the doll and being highly aggressive, the other were shown a non-aggressive adult.
The children imitated the behaviour of each adult, eg one group being aggressive and the other not
- the children imitated behaviour of the role model ( identification)
Describe the work of bandura in 1963
The same experiment was repeated but this time the adult was either, 1) positively reinforced 2) negatively reinforced 3) punished, when the children were shown the adult being punished they were less likely to be aggressive ( vicarious punishment ). When the adult was rewarded the children showed more aggressive behaviour.
Evaluate the research methods of SLT
✅highly controlled
✅objective
❌demand characteristics
❌artificial
Briefly state the three evaluation points for SLT
✅practical application: media violence
✅cultural differences
❌reductionist
Social Learning Theory AO3
-practical application
Used to highlight the effect that media violence has on children’s behaviour, children likely to mimic behaviour that they have seen in the media, e.g. murder of James Bulger> two boys taken inspiration from violent film
THEREFORE a strength is that it is useful for explaining human bhv
Social Learning Theory AO3
-cultural differences
Children learn from those around them as well as from the media, can explain how cultural norms are transmitted through particular societies, e.g gender behaviour varies from culture to culture could be explained through the different behaviour that is vicariously reinforced
THEREFORE a strength of SLT is that it has good explanatory power
Social Learning Theory AO3
-reductionist
Reduces all behaviour down to the influence of those around us, ignores influence of biological factors , e.g bandura= higher testosterone levels can cause mor aggressive- SLT fails to take this into account, similar to BHV approach.
THEREFORE a limitation of SLT is that it fails to consider the role of biology
Define internal mental processes
Private actions/ processes of the mind such as perception and attention that mediate stimulus and response
How are internal mental processes studied
What are these
By drawing inferences
Drawing a conclusion about the way mental processes work by making assumptions based on observable behaviour
Define theoretical models
Give an example
Where models are simplified using pictorial representations of a particular mental process based on current research evidence
The multi store model (memory)
Describe computer models
Using computer analogies as a way of representing human cognition
What do computer models use the concepts of
A processing unit= the brain
Concept of coding= turn information into a useable format
Use of stores to hold information
What are a disadvantage of computer models
Computers do not take into account the role of human emotion and the influence it has on our ability to make decisions etc
Define ‘schema’
Packages of information and ideas that are developed through experience, they act as a mental framework for the interpretation of information
E.g. in a restaurant
Name a pro and a con of schema
✅enable us to process info quickly
❌create false memories that fit in with what we would expect to happen
What is cognitive neuroscience
The scientific study of the influence of brain structures on mental processes
Name 2 cognitive neuroscientists
Paul Broca
Tulving
Explain Brocas work
Identified how area to the frontal lobe could permanently impair speech production (Broca’s area)
Studied a person with language difficulties, could only say ‘tan’ post more Tom revealed damage to frontal lobe
Explain Tulvings work
He injected himself with radioactive gold, he thought about semantic memories or episodic memories whilst in the Machine
Revealed that we use different areas of the brain for different thoughts
Evaluate cognitive approach research methods
✅objective
✅high controlled ( repeatable )
❌artificial
❌demand characteristics
Briefly state 3 evaluation points of the cognitive approach
✅practical application
✅nature vs nurture
❌reductionist
Cognitive approach AO3
- practical application
Research into the influence of schemas on memory has led to the development of the cognitive interview ( non-directive questioning technique ), improves reliability of eyewitness testimony. Change perspective technique ( someone else’s POV )
THEREFORE this shows the importance of the cog approach in its usefulness in helping police
Cognitive approach AO3
-reductionist
Sees human behaviour like a machine, comparing humans to computers has been criticised as it ignores the influence of human emotion and motivation and how this may affect our ability to process information. Eg anxiety can affect memory if its about a traumatic event.
THEREFORE it is machine reductionist
Cognitive approach AO3
- nature vs nurture
It takes the middle ground in the nature vs nurture debate, cognitive approach states that whilst we are born with these innate mental processes they can be shaped and developed by our experiences in life.
Unlike BHV- blank slate, learn from environment……
THEREFORE cog app. Integrates nature and nurture in a better way than other approaches.
Describe the influence of biological structures on behaviour
The brain: specific part are responsible for certain actions, e.g. frontal lobe=thoughts and emotion.
Neurochemistry:imbalance of neurochemicals/transmitters can lead to types of mental disorder, e.g. low levels of serotonin= depression
What do behavioural geneticists study
Whether behavioural characterises such as intelligence/ personality are inherited the same was as physical characteristics
What is the purpose of twin studies
To determine the likelihood that certain traits have a genetic basis by comparing concordance rates
What is:
Monozygotic
Dizygotic
Monozygotic= twins from one egg/ 100% same DNA Dizygotic= two eggs/ 50% same DNA
What is the difference between genotype and phenotype
A persons genotype is there genetic makeup whereas the phenotype is the way that these genes are expressed through physical, behavioural and psychological characteristics
Define the term evolution
The changes in inherited characteristics in a biological population over successive generations
Name an example of evolution and explain it
The rooting reflex - new born babies (present at birth) will turn their head towards anything that touches their cheek, reflex aids feeding and hence survival
Name four research methods used by the biological approach
FMRI scans-blood flow
EEG scans- electrical impulses
Twin studies-concordance rates
Drug trials
Briefly state the three AO3 points for Biological Approach
✅practical application
❌biological determinism
❌reductionism
Biological approach AO3
-practical application
Assumes neurotransmitters such as serotonin influence our behaviour, this knowledge means that sufferers can manage their condition and live a relatively normal life, e.g. sufferers can take anti-depressants which helps to change serotonin levels
THEREFORE is useful in helping to improve the lives of people, thus has good application
Biological approach AO3
-biological determinist
Problem as it sees all behaviour as controlled by internal, biological causes over which we have no control, which has implications for th legal system (criminal gene? Etc…)
THEREFORE a limitation is that it ignores the role of free will
Biological approach AO3
-reductionist
It reduces all behaviour down to genetics and hormones and ignores the environment factors (BHV & SLT)
THEREFORE could be argued that it is rather limited in its explanation as it does not take unto account other factors eg nurture
What does the psychodynamic approach compare our mind to
An iceberg
What does our unconscious contain
Biological instincts
Drives and desires
Childhood memories
According to ____ all behaviour is directed and driven by unconscious conflicts and _______, henceforth all behaviour is _____________ and has ________________ _______________ .
Freud
Desires
Symbolic
Underlying meaning
Describe and explain the structures of the personality
The id = pleasure principle/instant gratification
The superego= the morality principle/guilt
The ego=reality principle/ balance and compromise⤴️
Who would a ___________ be governed by
A) psychopath
B)well-adjusted person
C) anxious/ neurotic person
A) the id
B) The ego
C) the super ego ( its guilt)
Name the five psychosexual stages of development
Oral Anal Phallic Latency Genital
Explain the Oedipus complex
Freud claimed the boy has sexual desires for his mother and recognises the father as a powerful rival and develops castration anxiety, to resolve the anxiety he gives up his love for his mother and identifies with the father
If the Oedipus complex is not resolved, what could happen in the future
Confusion with gender identity
Describe the Electra complex
The girl does not have a penis and sees herself and her mother as powerless, the girl fears losing the love of her mother and converts her desire for a penis into the desire for a a baby
Define defence mechanisms
Unconscious resources used by the ego to manage the conflict between the id and the superego
Name & explain three defence mechanisms
Displacement- redirecting feelings from the true source of distressing emotions onto a substitute target
Repression- forcing a distressing memory out of the conscious and into the unconscious
Denial- refusing to believe/acknowledge some aspect of reality
Describe the case study from the psychodynamic approach
Name a disadvantage of this methods
Little Hans:
Freud Used PSYCHOANALYSIS
Used to illustrate the Oedipus complex through Hans’ fear of horses
Subjective=massively open to interpretation
Briefly state the three AO3 points of the psychodynamic approach
✅explanatory power
❌methods
❌unfalsifiable
Psychodynamic approach AO3
-explanatory power
Although it is controversial, it is significant in the fact that it draws attention to the connection between experiences in childhood, such as our relationship with our parents and later development.
Psychodynamic approach AO3
-methods
Although Freud’s observation swerve detailed and carefully recorded, it has been criticised that we cannot make such generalisable claims about human nature based on such small numbers of individuals which can be considered psychologically abnormal
Psychodynamic approach AO3
-unfalsifiable
It does not allow for the possibility of being disproved, falsifiability is important in science and so because most of Freud’s concepts such as the id and the Oedipus complex happen at such an unconscious level it is difficult to test
Name two other approaches that the humanistic approach rejects
Behaviourism
Psychodynamic
__________________
Considered to be dehumanising
What is the idea of free will
That humans are ‘active agents’ and have full control over their own destiny
What does the self concept refer to
How we see and perceive ourselves as a person
Which scientist claimed that people have two basic needs
What are these needs
Carl Rogers
- positive regard from other people
- feelings of self worth
Define self-actualisation
The innate tendency to achieve ones full potential
Both rogers and Maslow saw what as basic human desires
Personal growth
What did Maslow propose
What was this centred around
Hierarchy of needs
Human motivation & self actualisation
Explain the difference between conditional and unconditional
Unconditional= when a person is accepted for who they are and not what they do Conditional= when a person is accepted only if they do what others want them to do
Explain the difference between congruence and incongruence
Congruence= when the ideal self and self concept match
Incongruence=when the ideal self and self concept are not similar
What type of research methods does the humanistic approach use
Give 3 examples
Qualitative research methods
- diary accounts
- interviews (UNSTRUCTURED)
- questionnaires
Explain what is meant by counselling psycholog in the humanistic approach
Client centred therapy,
The therapist should be genuine, empathetic and show unconditional positive regard
The aim is too help reduce the incongruence between the self concept and ideal self
Focuses on present problems
Can NOT be used to treat people with severe mental disorders eg schizophrenia
Briefly outline the 3 AO3 points for the humanistic approach
✅holistic
❌cultural bias
❌methodology
Humanistic approach AO3
-holistic
It rejects an attempt to reduce behaviour down to one thing and argues that the subjective can only be understood by considering the WHOLE person.
Unlike Biological approach- reduces bhv down to physiological process
THEREFORE a strength is that it considered human behaviour within its real life context
Humanistic approach AO3
-cultural bias
The concepts of self actualisation are a product of western society and its individualistic culture. Therefore cannot be applied to other cultures which are collectivist and have a group identity
THEREFORE a limitation is that it can only be applied to certain cultures
Humanistic approach AO3
-methodology
Problem because in order to test and measure something it needs to be operationalised, however concepts such as congruence are rather vague and difficult to define making it untestable in any objective way. There is no objective measure.
THEREFORE a limitation is that there is no way of objectively testing the humanistic concepts or therapies- we do not know their effectiveness.
