Approaches AO1 and AO3 Flashcards
Outline Wundt and Introspection
Wundt’s lab, first psychology lab, introduced intropection to study the human mind systematically
Standardised procedures, observations of objects and sounds are recorded
Structuralism, consciousness divided into three categories: thoughts, images and sensations
Evaluate Wundt and Introspection
Strengths
Scientific
-Controlled environment, carefully standardised
Wundt’s contribution
-Founder of modern psychology
Limitation
Subjective data
-General laws not possible as all introspections different
Outline the emergence of psychology as a science
Science involves systematic and objective measurement to discover general laws
1900s Behaviourists, Researchers such as Watson and Skinner conducted controlled experiments on behaviours that were directly observable
1950’s Cognitive, made the study of the mind legitimate and scientific, experiments tested the computer metaphor (eg, MSM)
1980’s biological approach, observable behaviour studied, controlled measures, genetic testing to see relationship between genes and behaviour
Evaluate the emergence of psychology as a science
Strength
Modern Psychology
-Learning, cognitive and biological approaches all use scientific methods such as lab research
Limitations
Subjective data
-Humanistic and psychodynamic approaches rely on unscientific case studies, hampered by demand characteristics
Paradigm
-Question of whether psychology has agreed methods and assumptions is debated
Outline the Behaviourist approach
Assumptions: observable behaviour is all that is needed to be studied, basic processes same in all species
Classical conditioning (Pavlov), research on salivation in dogs, association of UCS with NS to produce new CS and CR
Operant conditioning (Skinner), research with rats and pigeons in Skinner box, animal operates on environment, behaviour shaped by consequences, reinforcement (positive and negative), punishment
Evaluate the behaviourist approach
Strengths
Well controlled research
-Behaviour broken down to stimulus-response units, helps remove extraneous variables
HOWEVER
-reducing behaviour in this way removes important influences on behaviour (thought, for example)
Real world application
-Token economy systems used in prisons and psychiatric institutions
Limitations
Environmental determinism
-No free will, all behaviour influenced by past experiences
Ethical Issues
-Controlled conditions important but not good for animals, shocked, kept hungry
Outline the social learning theory
Assumptions: behaviour is learned from experience, learned through observation and imitation of others
Vicarious reinforcement, observation leads to imitation if behaviour is vicariously reinforced (Bobo doll experiment)
Mediational process, attention, retention, motor production, motivation
Identification, more likely to imitate role models you identify with
Evaluate social learning theory
Strengths
Cognitive factors
-More comprehensive account of learning than proposed by behaviourist approach
HOWEVER
-underestimates influence of biology, social learning involves mirror neurons in brain
Real world application
-SLT can account for development of cultural differences in gender roles
Reciprocal deteminism
-Less determinist than behaviourism
Limitations
Contrived lab studies
-Demand characteristics, bobo doll designed to be hit, low validity
Outline the cognitive approach
Assumptions: internal mental processes can be studied through inference
Role of schema, beliefs and expectations affect thoughts and behaviour, innate or learned, mental shortcut, can lead to perceptual errors
Theoretical and computer models, information processing approach, mind likened to computer and applied to AI
Emergence of cognitive neuroscience, scientific study of how brain structures affect mental processes, biological structures linked to mental states, brain imagining to read brain
Evaluate the cognitive approach
Strengths
Scientific methods
-Lab studies to produce reliable, objective data
-Cognitive neuroscience is scientific
HOWEVER
-Use of inference and artificial stimuli mean low external validity
Real world application
-Successfully applies to fields of AI, depression and EWT
Soft determinism
-Middle ground, more reasonable than behaviourism
Limitations
Machine reductionism
-Computer analogy too simple, ignores effect of emotion
-Anxiety on EWT, for example
Outline the biological approach
Assumptions: mind and body are one and the same
Neurochemical basis of behaviour, thoughts and behaviour depend on chemicals (neurotransmitters, serotonin)
Genetic basis of behaviour, concordance rate between MZ and DZ twins shows genetic basis of psychological characteristics
Genotype and phenotype, genes vs expression of genes in environment, nature and nature
Evolution and behaviour, natural selection of genes based on survival value and reproduction success
Evaluate the biological approach
Strengths
Real-world application
-Understanding of biochemical processes associated with development of psychoactive drugs
HOWEVER
-antidepressants don’t work for everyone
Scientific methods
-Precise and objective such as scanning techniques (fMRI, EEGs)
Limitations
Biological determinism
-Behaviour governed by internal genetically determined factors, oversimplified
-Could be used as reason for crimes
Natural seclection
-Cannot be disproved as unable to show evolution happening, deduce it is taking place
HOWEVER
-Fossil record supportive
