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approaches and biopsych AS Flashcards

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1
Q

Where is psychology thought to have originated from?

A

Wundt, Leipzig, Germany,1879

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2
Q

What did Wundt do?

A

opened a lab specific for psychology
studied the ‘structure’ of the mind
created introspection

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3
Q

How did Wundt study the structure of the mind?

A

by breaking down behaviors into different parts- called structuralism.

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4
Q

How was introspection developed?

A

by Wundt and his colleagues documenting and describing their own conscious thoughts

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5
Q

Strengths of Wundt’s approach

A

despite criticisms its still seen as useful
Griffiths studied gamblers and non gamblers inner thoughts and found gamblers have more irrational thoughts

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6
Q

weaknesses of Wundt’s approach

A

-criticized for relying on non observable responses, methods lacked reliability and introspection hasn’t been reliably reproduced
-method of introspection is highly subjective and varies for person to person resulting in unreliable data
-some suggest introspection isn’t accurate, little knowledge of underlying process

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7
Q

Why was Wundt’s work criticized?

A

because it wasn’t scientific and introspection varied from person to person and principals were hard to establish and explain behavior . Considered unreliable. Non observable variables that you can’t measure make it unreliable .

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8
Q

What methods did early psychologists use?

A

empirical methods

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9
Q

What are the two assumptions of empirical methods

A

all behavior is caused
it is possible to predict how humans will behave

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10
Q

Whats the scientific methods

A

objective- researchers aren’t affected by bias
systematic- observations are carried out in an orderly way and data is recorded accurately
replicable- results can be repeated

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11
Q

strengths of the emergence of psychology

A

+use of objective and systematic provide good scientific evidence, these methods use standardized procedures so are replicable
+psychologists are always repeating each others experiments so the theories are refined or abandoned- meaning its self correcting

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12
Q

weaknesses of the emergence of psychology

A

-ensuring objectivity and control in the research by using artificial situations means its harder to apply to a real life setting
-most subject matter in psychology is unobservable so cannot be measured accurately therefore it could not be considered scientific.

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13
Q

What is behaviourism

A

idea behaviour is conditioned and focuses on observable events only

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14
Q

who and when did classical conditioning studies

A

pavlov 1927

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15
Q

what is classical conditioning

A

learning through association
learned response become involuntary
a stimulus causes a response

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16
Q

what are the letters of classical conditioning

A

UCS-UCR
NS+UCS-UCR
CS-CR

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17
Q

what does extinction mean

A

the NS and the UCS are no longer paired and the CR disappears

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18
Q

what does spontaneous recovery mean

A

the reappearance of a previously extinguished conditioned response

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19
Q

what does stimulus generalization mean

A

a conditioned response is elicited when presented with a stimulus that is similar to the conditioned stimulus

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20
Q

strengths of classical conditioning

A

+can be applied to real life situations for systematic desensitization. Treating phobias by associating it with something good
+ Pavlov’s dogs support it, he trained dogs to salivate at a bell and at food.

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21
Q

weaknesses of classical conditioning

A

-deterministic, suggests all behavior is determined from past experiences and ignores free will
-reductionist, ignores biological explanations such as genetics. Also brain chemistry and hormonal imbalance. Explanation isn’t holistic and doesn’t take into account all factors
-doesn’t explain behavior when we haven’t had previous experiences. Could be linked to evolutionary theory where fears have developed to survival behaviour

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22
Q

who and when id operant conditioning studies

A

Skinner, 1940

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23
Q

what did skinner do

A

developed a chamber in which an animal could learn a specific response
found rats learn from trial and error and by pressing certain levers they would receive food but by pressing others they would get an electric shock
the rats learned that certain behaviors were learned through consequences
the behavior was reinforced when they rats got food or a shock.

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24
Q

what is a positive reinforcer

A

encourages a person to repeat a specific behavior by giving something positive
always positive effects

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25
Q

what is a negative reinforcer

A

encourages people to repeat behaviour but stops something negative from continuing
eg drinking alcohol to stop depression

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26
Q

what is a punishment

A

unpleasant consequence and reduces frequency of behaviour

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27
Q

what is a primary reinforcer

A

basic need eg food/ water

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28
Q

what is a secondary response

A

exchanged for primary reinforcer eg money

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29
Q

what is behavior shaping

A

action can gradually be achieves by reinforcing behaviors that more closely resemble the desired behavior on each occasion

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30
Q

strengths of operant conditioning

A

+highly controlled lab settings, results in data that is replicable
+ applied to real life behavior eg token economy programs in prisons and schools have been used successfully.
+skinner supports it

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31
Q

weaknesses of operant conditioning

A
  • simplistic way of explaining, ignores mental process- environmental determinism
    -using animals is unethical
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32
Q

what are the four points of the social learning theory

A

modelling
Imitation
vicarious reinforcement
identification

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33
Q

what is modelling and imitation

A

the idea that behavior is learnt and modelled and imitated from a model
model may be live or symbolic

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34
Q

what is identification

A

extent the individual relates to a model and feels that they are similar to them
people that have power, status and are the same sex as the individual are much more likely to influence the individual

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35
Q

what is vicarious reinforcment

A

when we imitate models because we see them being rewarded

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36
Q

what is the mediational process

A

attention
retention
reproduction
motivation

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37
Q

strengths of the social learning theory

A

+bandura bobo doll study supports it
+real life application- develop watershed hours on tv

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38
Q

weaknesses of the social learning theory

A

-environmentally reductionist, doesn’t take into account biological explanations. could be genetic
-research supporting comes from lab studies, criticized for artificial conditions and demand characteristics so lacks reliability
- cause and effect relationship is hard to determine as some people could be naturally more aggressive and not everyone who observes the model will be aggressive

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39
Q

what is the cognitive approach

A

suggest internal mental processes are and should be studied scientifically
these processes cannot be observed so are studies indirectly using inferences

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40
Q

what are theoretical models

A

represent internal mental structures
pictorial in nature and often updated
often simplified versions using diagrams like boxes and arrows
model can be adjusted easily

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41
Q

what’s the computer analogy

A

compares human to a computer
computer:
input(keyboard)-process(CPU)-output(printing)
human:
input(senses)-process(brain)-output(behaviour)

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42
Q

what’s a schema

A

how processes are affected by peoples beliefs and preconceptions
packages of info
allow us to interpret and predict what may happen to us
personal experience that dictate what schemas we form
enable us to process alot of info quickly

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43
Q

what is cognitive neuroscience

A

scientific study on how the brain structures influence the mental process
mapping brain structures
fMRI PET SCANS
scanning techniques are useful to establish neurological basis for mental disorders

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44
Q

strengths of cognitive approach

A

+highly controlled methods of study, lab experiments produce reliable data, enables biology and psychology to work together, credible scientific basis
+real life application as it can be applied to a range of contexts. contributed to AI and robots also the development of cognitive behavioral therapy

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45
Q

weaknesses of cognitive approach

A

-criticized for ignoring emotion and motivation- machine reductionist
-only able to infer on observation and use artificial stimuli so may not be applicable to everyday life

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46
Q

what is the nervous system

A

communication system and collects info form the environment and co-ordinates cells and organs
divided into the central nervous system (brain and spinal chord) and the peripheral nervous system (nerves)

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47
Q

What is the CNS

A

the brain is involves in most psychological processes and ensures life is maintained. divided into two hemispheres
the spinal chord sends messages to and from the brain to the PNS

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48
Q

what is the PNS

A

the automatic nervous system governs vital functions like breathing and involuntary functions and is divided into the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system. sympathetic controls fight or flight and the parasympathetic controls the opposite like breathing
the somatic nervous system controls the muscle movement and receives info from the sensory receptors. controls voluntary functions and is made up of 12 pairs of cranial nerves and 31 pairs of spinal nerves

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49
Q

what’s is the endocrine system

A

not part of the nervous system but it maintains levels of hormones in the blood and other bodily fluids
slower communication than the nervous system
the hormones travel to target cells and stimulate receptors on or in surface of cells

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50
Q

what is the pituitary gland

A

master gland
regulated the endocrine system

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51
Q

what’s the adrenal gland

A

part of the fight or flight response and help secrete adrenaline

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52
Q

what are the testes

A

facilitate the release of testosterone

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53
Q

what are the ovaries

A

facilitate the release of oestrogen

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54
Q

explain the fight or flight response

A

in a stressful event the stressor is recognized by the hypothalamus and sends a message to the ANS the body is then sent into the sympathetic state
adrenaline is secreted

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55
Q

what are sensory neurons

A

tell the brain about external and internal environment by processing information from the senses.
found in places like the skin, eyes and tongue
receive info from senses and relays messages to the CNS

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56
Q

what are relay neurons

A

carry signals from the CNS which help both organs, including glands and muscle functions

57
Q

what are motor neurons

A

form synapse with muscles and control their contractions
when stimulates the motor neurons release neuro transmitters that bind to the receptor and trigger a response

58
Q

what is synaptic transmission

A

axon terminal of one neuron reaches the dendrites of another neurone
the gap between them is called a synapse
the sympatico gap is between two neurones
neuro transmitters are chemical transmitters that communicate between neurons and the brain if a neurotransmitter fits the receptor the message will be passed on if not the message is blocked
neurotransmitters can either produce a inhibitory effect or exitory effect
exitory effect will fire an action potential
an inhibitory affect will decrease the likely hood of firing an action potential
inhibitory cause calming

59
Q

what effect does dopamine have on behaviour

A

effects mood, movement and memory

60
Q

what effect does serotonin have on behaviour

A

effects emotion, anxiety and judgement

61
Q

what effect does GABA have on behaviour

A

it effects memory, sleep and anxiety

62
Q

evaluate biopsych and fight or flight

A

+uses scientific mthod to investigate. takes place in a highly controlled environment so that other researchers can replicate the research studies and add validity. brain scanning is used which is objective
-cause and effect is hard to establish. suggest neurotransmitter causes mental illness
-explanation is simplistic and doesn’t do the complexity of human behaviour justice. it i sreductionist as doesn’t take into account the environment
+real life applications. helps develop drugs to treat symptoms of psychological disorders.
-genetic differences between genders and the fight or flight response. SRY promotes aggression in men and may explain why men are more likely to respond to stress by haveing an increased blood flow and adrenaline.

63
Q

what is localisation of function

A

refers to the idea that specific parts of the brain have specific functions.

64
Q

what is the cerbral cortex and what does it do

A

layer of the brain often referred to as the grey matter
surrounds and covers the inner parts of the brain. 3mm thick and it is more developed in humans than other animals

65
Q

what is the motor cortex and what does it do

A

located in the fronal lobe of the brain along the precentral gyrus
responsible for the voluntary movements
both hemispheres have a motor cortex that controls muscles on the opposite side of the body
different parts of the motor cortex exert control over different parts of the body.
regions are arranged logically.

66
Q

what is the somatosensory cortex and what does it do

A

located along the parietal lobe along the postcentral gyrus
detects sensory events arising from different parts of the body. using info from the skin it produces sensations of touch, pressure, pain and localised it to specific regions. both hemispheres have this and they receive sensory info from opposite sides of the body

67
Q

what is the visual centres and what does it do

A

the visual cortex is located in the occipital lobe
begins in the retina where light enters and strikes photoreceptors. nerve impulses are then transferred to the brain via the optic nerve.
the majority terminate in the thalamus which sends info to the visual cortex- this spans both hemispheres and receives info from the opposite sides. each area of the cortex processed something different eg. shape, colour

primary visual centre.

68
Q

what is the auditory centre and what does it do

A

deals with hearing and the auditory cortex is in the temporal lobes in both sides of the brain
begin sin the cochlea. sound waves are converted to nerve impulses. they travel to the brain stem where the decoding of density and intensity of sound take place. then the thalamus carries out further processing. then reaches the auditory cortex where the info is recognised and a response may happen

69
Q

what are the language centres

A

brocas area
wenickes area

70
Q

what is the brocas area and what does it do

A

language centre of the brain
located in the posterior portion of the frontal lobe of the left hemisphere
related to speech production.
lesions in this area can lead to the inability to speak but the person can still understand language.
2 regions:
one involved in language
one involved in responding to demanding cognitive tasks that have nothing to do with language

71
Q

what is the wernickes area and what does it do

A

located in the posterior portion of the left temporal lobe.
lesions in this area lead to the inability to understand language but the person can still speak.
proposed that language involves separate motor and sensory regions located in differential cortical regions.
the motor region located in brocas area is close to the area that controls the mouth toungue and vocal cords. The sensory region located in wernickes area is close to the regions of the brain responsible for the auditory and visual input. input from these regions is thought to be transferred to wenickes area where is associated with language and given meaning

72
Q

evaluate localisation of function

A

-supporting research comes from phineas gage who was injured at work when an explosion caused an iron rod to enter his left cheek and exit his skull from the top of his head, damaging his left frontal lobe. his personality became rude and quick tempered. suggest frontal lobe is associated with mood
- some researcher believe only basic mental functions are localised. they claim that the other areas of the cortex could take over following injury different to the normal area responsible for the behaviour
-some researchers suggest that communication between the brains areas is more important rather than the specific areas itself. complex behaviours such as language move through different areas of the brain before a response is produced. damage the connection nd a response will not be produced.
-individual differences in language areas. research has found women have a larger brocas areaand wernickes area than men. could be due to women greater use of language compared to men. gender differences.
-critism from MRI studies of brain lesions have found that other areas apart from the brocas area are responsible for reduced speech ability. lesions in brocas area do not usually lead to severe disruption of spoken language. this suggests language and cognition are more complicated than being localised to one area.

73
Q

what is hemispheric laterlisation

A

refers to the fact that that some mental processesin the brain are specialised to either the left or right hemisphere. the corpus callosum connects the two hemispheres.

74
Q

what does the left hemisphere deal with

A

language and speech

75
Q

what does the right hemisphere deal with

A

behaviours such as spatial awarness and motor tasks

76
Q

what is split brain research

A

where indiviudals have has their two hemispheres split by surgery. the corpus callosum is severed.
Sperry and Gazzangia would ask split brain patients to fixate on a dot in the centre of the screen whilst information is presented to wither the left or right hemisphere.
they were asked to make responses with their left or right hand or verbally without seeing what their hands were doing.
this research concluded that the right hemisphere specialised in visual spatial processing and face recognition and that the left side deals with speech and language.

77
Q

what happened when the picture was presented to the right visual hemisphere in sperrys research

A

-processed by the left hemisphere
-the patient could describe what they saw
this demonstrated the superiority of the left hemisphere when it comes to language production

78
Q

what happened when the picture was presented to the left visual hemisphere in sperrys research

A

-processed by the right hemisphere
the patient could not describe what was shown and oftem reported there was nothing present

79
Q

what happened when an object was placed in the right hand for a tactile test in sperrys reseach

A

-processed by the left hemisphere
-the patient cpuld decribe verbally what they felt or they could identify the test object presented in the right hand by sleecting a similar object for a series of other objects

80
Q

what happened when an object was placed in the left hand for a tactile test in sperrys reseach

A

-processed by the right hemisphere
- patient couldnt describe what they felt and could only make wild guesses
- however the left hand could identify a test object presented in the left hand by selecting a similar object from a series of alternate objects

81
Q

what happened when a picture was presented to the right visual field in sperrys research

A

-processed by the left hemisphere
-the right hand would attempt to draw a picture, the picture was never as clear as the left hand

82
Q

what happened when a picture was presented to the left visual field in sperrys research

A

-procesed in the right hemisphere
-the left hand would consistently draw clearer and better pictures than the right hand

83
Q

evaluation on laterlisation

A

+useful to enhance the ability to perform two tasks simutaneously by using both hemispheres. Rogers et al found that in domestic chickens laterlisation helped in both finding food an being viglilant for predators. supports the idea that both hemisoheres can be used at the same time
+useful to understand immune system functioning. Morfit and Weekes found that left handers had a high incidence of immune disorders in their immediate families than roght handers did.
- laterlisation chnages with age. with many tasks laterlisation tends to switch to bilateral patterns in older adults.Szaflarski et al found that laterlisation to the left incresed with age but after 25 it decreased. it is difficult to know why this is. one possibility is that using the extra processing resources of the other hemisphere may in some way compensate for age related declines in function. implies that laterlisation is only a feature of young adults

84
Q

evalutaion for split brain research

A

-language may not be restricted to the left hemipshere. Gazzangia suggests that some of the early discoveries from split brain research have been disconformed by more recent research. one patient JW developed the ability to speak out of the right hemisphere.
+sperrys research was well designed and employed well thought out and standardised procedures. he made use pf presenting to one eye whilst the other was blindfolded. this meant he controlled which hemisphere was exposed. designed the procedure so it could be replicated to increase its validity.
- split brain patients are a unusual sample. only 11 took part in all variations of the basic procedure- all of them had a history of eplileptic procedures. this could have uniquely chnaged the brain to influenced the findings. also argued that some may have had their hemispheres more split than others. also contro, group of [people without epilespsy may have been inappropriate. study has low population validity.
-very few split brain studies are carried out nowadays so it is hard to draw conclusions from the research as small numbers of patients are used. gernerlisatbility is therefore limited.

85
Q

what is brain plasticity

A

refers to the brains ability to modify its own stricture and function as a result of experience.

86
Q

how does life experience effect plasticity

A

as we gain new experiences neurons rarely use ddie and those frequently used become stronger. this means our brains adapt to new enviroments. cognitive functionig can also decline with brain changes.

87
Q

how do video games effect brain plasticity

A

playing video games can result in new synaptic conections in areas such as spatial navigation, strategic planning and motor performance- increase in grey matter in the cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum.

88
Q

how does meditation effect brain plasticity

A

davidson et al compared 8 tibetan meditation practitioners with 10 volunteers with no meditiation experience. the monks had far more gamma wave activity than the control group.

89
Q

evaluation of brain plasticity

A

+ animal studies have been used to support the idea of plasticity
Kempermann et al enriched the enviroment of rats. they found rats housed in a complex enviroment showed an increase in neurons in the hippocampus.HOWEVER these animal studies lack generlisability as animals brain are less complex than humans
+Maguire et al carried out a study on london taxi drivers using MRI scans. they studies the brains of 16 taxi drivers and found significantly more grey matter in the posterior hippocampus than in the matched control group. shows the brain has plastcity. cant be sure the change is due to the driving as they werent tested before.
+supporting research fromRamachndran and Hirsteinfound 60-80% of amputees developed phantom limb syndrome.

90
Q

what is functional recovery after trauma

A

refers to the mental processed and abilities that have been recovered after injury

91
Q

what is functional recovery

A

undamaged areas compensate for damaged areas

92
Q

what is neuron unmasking

A

dormant synapses as a result from injury or disease can be unmasked by opening the connections to the areas of the brain that are not normally activated. this gives way to the development of new structures

93
Q

what is axon sprouting

A

neurons form new connections
sometimes axons that already connect with that neuron will sprout extra connections.

94
Q

evaluation of functional recovery after trauma

A

+tajiri et al found brains of stem cell rats showed development of neuron like cells in the area of injury. rats with traumatic brain injury were assigned to a group where a solution was infused into the brain with no stem cells and a group that recieved stem cells. showed functional recovery can occur. HOWEVER it it flawed as rats brains are different to humans
+supporting evidence from LAdina Bezzola et al who found that 40 hours of golf training for 40-60 year olds produced changes in neural representation of movement. reduced motor cortex activity was found in novice golfers compared to controls. shows plasticity can happen throughout our lives
+ application linked to education. educational attainment has been linked to functional recovery. researchers found a ‘cognitive reserve’ which is assotiated with greater educational attainment, was a factor in neural adaptation during brain damage recovery.

95
Q

what are the different ways of studying the brain

A

FMRI
EEG
event related potentials (ERP’s)
post mprtem examinations

96
Q

what is an FMRI

A

this measures blood flow when people perform particular tasks. so we can establish which parts of the brain are responsible for different behaviours.
scans work on the idea that neurons in the brain are most active, use the mpost energy.

97
Q

whats an EEG

A

electroencephalogram
measure sbrain activity, electrodes on the scalp measure electrical activity during sleep. EEG’s measure alpha waves, beta waves, delta waves and theta waves.

98
Q

what are event related potentials (ERPS)

A

small voltage changes in the brain triggered by specific tasks or events. ERP’ s can be divided into 2 categories a) sensory ERP’s which occur within the first 100 milliseconds after presenatation with the stimulus and b) cognitive ERP’s.

99
Q

what are post mortem examinations

A

brain is examineed after death to establish brain abnormalities that may not bepossibleto stufy whilst they are alive. these could explain behaviour.

100
Q

evaluate FMRI

A

+non-invasive
+objective and reliable
-only measures blood flow and not direct measure of the neural activity
-doesnt identify how the brain is networked and focuses on localised areas

101
Q

evaluate EEG

A

+provides recording in real time so can measure when a task is performed
+helps with diagnosis of disorders such as epilespsy
-cannot detect what is going on in the deeper regions of the brain
-electrical activity can be picked up by the nearby areas so may not pinpoint exact areas of activity

102
Q

evaluate ERP

A

+measured continous response to a stimulus so can establish how processing is affected by stimulus
-they are small and large number of trials is needed to gather data
-only sufficient voltage changes across scalp are recorded and not anything deep in the brain

103
Q

evaluate post mortem examinations

A

+case study brain in more detail than EEG and scans as you can study deeper regions
+structural abnormalities of sz have been discovered so it has useful application
-length of time between death and postmortem can effect the results
-results are retrospective as the person has died so it is hard to follow up on anything that arises from the examination

104
Q

what is the circadian rythm

A

it is a 24h internal body cycle that tells our bodies when to sleep and regulates many other psychological processes. it is affected by enviromrntal cues like sunlight and temperature

105
Q

what is the sleep wake cycle

A

example of a circadium rhythm
dips and rises throughout the day. between 2-4am and 1-3pm is when we feel more sleepy. the 24h sleep wake cycle is maintained by external cues such as daylight that helps keep us awake. ntural sleep wake cycle is 24-25h.

106
Q

evaluation of circadium rhythms

A

+michel siffre tested his internal body clock. he spent 61 days underground in 1962. he had no external cues such as daylight, clocks or radios. he ate slept and woke up when he felt like it. his only thing affecting him was his internal body clock. he emerged on the 17th of septemebr believing it was the 20th of august. his sleep wake cycle has ectented to 25h. may not be representeive of the population
-Cszeiler carried out research on 24 men and women who lived for a month in a very subdued light and tried to put them in an artificial 28h sleep wake cycle. they found that the human sleep clock operates on a 24h 11min schedule not 25h suggesting that the artificial light have very little impact on circadium rhythms. supports internl body clock idea
+ further research from Miles et al. studied a blind man who had been blind from birth and he had a circadium rhythm of 24.9 hours. he was exposed to various exogenous zeitgebers and nothing reduced his internal pace. this amde it very difficult to function and he had to take stimulants in the mornings and sedatives at night. suggest body clock is more than 24h
-may be individual differences, Czeisler et al found that circadium rhythms can vary from 13-65h. also people peak at different times.

107
Q

what are ultradian rythmns

A

they are cycles that occur more than one in a 24h cycle and at night. the cycle repeats itslef 3 or four more times at night.

108
Q

stage 1 of ultradian rhythms

A

transition period from wakeness to the other 3 stages of non-REM sleep
it is short and usually only lasts 1-7 minutes.
characteristed by low voltage, mixed frequency EEG, slow rolling eye movements and higher EMG activities
alpha waves occur at this stage

109
Q

stage 2 of ultradian rhythms

A

bulk of a persons sleep- 40-45%
heart rate and breathing slows down.
sleep spindles and k-complexs in EEG waves
theta wave at this stage

110
Q

stage 3 of ultradian rhythms

A

similar to stage 4
slow wave sleep- high ampliyude waves
delta waves

111
Q

stage 4 of ultradian rhythms

A

slow wave period- high amplitude waves
delta waves

112
Q

stage 5 of ultradian rhythms

A

rapid eye movement
eyes dart from lest to right and most dreams take place during this stage.
muscles of thre body are paralysed.
increased brain activity.

113
Q

what are infradian rhythms

A

occur over a period of time greater than 24h

114
Q

how can weekly rhythms (infradian rhythms) effect people

A

male testosterone levels are elevated at weekends and young couples report more sexual activity at weekends

115
Q

examples of monthly rhythms (infradian)

A

menstual cycle
Pre mentrual syndrome

116
Q

examples of annual infradian rhythms

A
  • seasonal affective disorder
    -heart attacks peak in winter
117
Q

evaluation of infradian rhythms

A

-methodological issues with sleep studies. sample size is very small making generlisations difficult. also individual differences.
-sleep labs are artificial. the pps pre-sleep routine is very different at home. unfamiliar surroundings and covered with wires- may struggle to sleep. reduces validity
+ do allow for physiological measurements which are objective and replicable HOWEVER, slef report for dream activity is not so stage 5 lacks validity and reliability

118
Q

what are exogenous pacemakers

A

external cues that help reset our bodily cycles. social cues as well as other things.

119
Q

what are endogenous pacemakers

A

internal factors that contol our bodily cycles

120
Q

what is th role of the suprachiasmatic nucleus

A

group of neurons in the hypothalamus act as an internal shock. helps regulate the sleep wake cycle.
most important endogenous pacemaker as it controls the pineal glands and the release of melatonin
receive signals from light via the optic nerve.
sends signals to pineal gland to produce the production of melatonin overnight

121
Q

evaluation of exogenous pacemakers

A

+cszeiler supports the idea of these pacemakers affecting our cycles
-folkard supports the idea of endogenous pacemaker affecting our cycle
+research into this area can be use dto help us understand shidt work and jet lag on our bodily cycles.

122
Q

evaluation of endogenous pacemakers

A

-some research shows that external cues affect our boily cycles. Foulkard studied a university student- kate aldcroft.
she volunteered to spend 25 days in a controlled lab with no external cues.he found her sleep wake cycle extended to 30h HOWEVER, only one person so hard to generlise
+morgan investigated the role of endogenous pacemakers- in particular the SCN in the circadium rhythms of hamster. Morgan removed the SCN of hamsters and found their circadium rhythms dissapeared. the rhythms eas established when SCN from foetal hamsters was used to replace it.
+siffre case study supports the idea that endogenous pacemakers are largely responsible for our sleepwake cycle
+ research into jetlag suggests that people find it hard to adjust when they travel across time zonesas their brain is releasing melatonin according to the home country.

123
Q

what is the psychodynamic approach

A

the idea that all behaviour is caused by the conscious, unconscious or pre-conscious.
we are only aware of our conscious

124
Q

what did freud believe about the personality

A

that it was split up into three components
Id, ego and the superego

125
Q

what is the Id

A

the innate part of the personality and operates on the pleasure principle

126
Q

what is the ego

A

formed during the first 3 years of life and operates on the reality principle
helps resolve the conflict between the Id and the superego

127
Q

what is the superego

A

formed at the phallic stage of frueds psychosexual stage and operates on the morality principle
contains childs inernalised sense of right and wrong

128
Q

description of the psychosexual stages

A

developmental stages through which all children progress
each stage is characterised by conflict which must be resolved to pass to the next stage
failure to resolve conflict results in fixation

129
Q

what are the psychosexual stages

A

oral
anal
phallic
latency
genital

130
Q

what is the oral stage

A

age 0-1
libido focus- mouth tongue lips
major development- weaning
fixation- smoking , overeating

131
Q

what is the anal stage

A

age 1-3
libido focus- anus
major development- toilet training
fixation- orderliness, messiness

132
Q

what is the phallic stage

A

age 3-6
limbido focus- genitals
major development- resolving the oedipus/electra complex
fixation- deviancy, sexual dysfunction

133
Q

whats the latency stage

A

age 6-12
limbido focus- none
major development- defense mechanisms
fixation- none

134
Q

whats the genital stage

A

age 12+
limbido focus- genitals
major development- full sexual maturity
fixation- if all stages completed should be fine

135
Q

evaluate the psychodynamic approach

A
  • the concept of the unconscious is hard to test and is impossible to objectively and systematically measure it.
  • the use of case studies as data is hard to generlise and lack ecological validity and qulatitive data is collected so conclusions have to be made which are subjective
    -psychic determinism- this approach says everything like slips of the tongue mean something- this adds to the subjectivity and doesnt line up with the objective and scientific methods of the biological approach
    + practical application- can help explain people actions and find the root cause to focus on in therapy
136
Q

what is the humanistic approach

A

assumes we all have free will and can ignore internal and external factors on our behaviour.
can process through the hierarchy to better ourselves

137
Q

what is incongruence and self actulisation

A

‘self’ is a term used to describe everything we know and feel about ourselves
‘ideal delf’ describes our perception of the best version of ourself. having low self worth means we cant move up maslows hierarchy

138
Q

what is maslows hierarchy of needs

A

bottom to top:
1. physiological needs: food, water, warmth, rest
2. safety needs
3. belonging and love needs: intimate relationship, friends
4. esteem needs: prestige, accomplishment
5. self actulisation: achieving ones full potential

139
Q

evaluate the humanistic

A

+holistic approach
- untestable and subjective concepts. no empirical evidence- personal judgement
-cultural reductionism- attitude of western countries

psych (11 decks)

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