approaches Flashcards
assumptions of the behaviourist approach
only interested in behaviour that can be observed and measure
not concerned with investigating the mental processes
uses lab experiments to study behaviour
animals replace humans as experimental subjects
classical conditioning
pavlovs dog conditioned to salivate at the sound of a bell if the bell was repeatedly presented at the same time as food
learning through association
operant conditioning
skinner said learning was an active process where individuals operate on their environment
positive and negative reinforcement
positive reinforcement
increasing the likelihood of a behaviour being repeated because it involves a reward for the nehaviour
negative reinforcement
increases the likelihood of a behaviour being repeated because it involves the removal of or escaping from unpleasant consequences
punishment
decreases the likelihood of a behaviour being repeated because it involves a negative consequence
strengths of the behaviourist approach
high control of variables in the lab
animals used so easy to keep and procedures not suitable for humans may be used
standardised procedures allows repeats
weaknesses of the behaviourist approach
only uses animals so may not be suitable for humans
experiments are unethical
environmental determinist, ignores free will
reductionist so views humans as machine like and ignores other factors
assumptions of the cognitive approach
argues internal mental processes can and should be studied scientifically
investigated areas of behaviour that were neglected by behaviourists
studies private processes indirectly by making inferences about what is going on
the role of schema
packages of ideas and info developed through experience
act as mental framework for the interpretation of information
enables us to process alot of information quickly so prevents us being overwhelmed by external stimuli
theoretical and computer models
theoretical model= information processing model, suggests info flows through a cognitive system in a sequence of stages including input, storage and retrieval
computer models= mind compared to computer use concept of central processing unit, concept of coding, and use of stores
emergence of cognitive neuroscience
scientific study of influence of brain structures on mental processing, used to show how long term memory may be located on opposite sides of the brain, scanning techniques have proven useful in establishing neurological basis of some mental disorders
strengths of the cognitive approach
makes use of lab experiments
enabled biology and psychology to come together
applied to wide range of practical and theoretical contexts
soft determinism so recognises that we are free to think
weaknesses of the cognitive approach
computer analogy criticised as it ignores emotion and motivation
suffers from being too abstract and simplistic
experiments often carried out using artificial stimuli
assumptions of the biological approach
everything psychological is at first biological so to fully understand behaviour we must look at biological structures and processes
understanding of brain structure and function can explain our thoughts and behaviour
