Approaches AO1 + AO3

Question 1

Outline and Evaluate the Origins of Psychology

Answer 1

Wundt set up the first psychology lab in Leipzig 1879
- developed introspection:
Understanding the mind, sensations and feelings, gather my a ticking metronome

AO3:
+ - development of carefully controlled conditions
+ - insights into cognitive processes
x - subjective experience

Question 2

Outline and Evaluate the Learning Approach (Behaviourism)

Answer 2

1) Behaviour is Learnt by environment
Behaviour is based on stimulus and
Response
E.g Stim(Red Light) Resp(STOP)

2) Behaviour is learnt by association
Pavlov - Dog salvation study:
Classical Conditioning 

3)Beh is learnt by operant conditioning
Skinner - pos + neg reinforcement

AO3
+ - many PAs - (Token Economy)
x - reductionist - ignores biology
x - uses animals. :
Humans are more complex due to understanding of cognitive processes and biology

Question 3

Outline and Evaluate SLT

Answer 3

1)Four Concepts:
Imitation, Identification, Modelling, Vicarious Reinforcement

2) The Four Mediational Processes
Attention, Retention, Reproduction, Motivation

Bandura - Bobo Doll:
G1 - reward
G2 - punish
G3 - control

AO3
+ - scientific - based on lab experiments
+ - less deterministic, suggests we have control over what we pay attention to
+ - PAs - the Watershed on TV

Question 4

Outline and Evaluate the biological approach

Answer 4

1) Evolution
Natural selection - Darwin

2) Genotype + Phenotype
Molds behaviour based on genes and how they are expressed

3) Genetic Behaviour
Twin studies can show that behaviour is as a result of biology

AO3
+ - PAs - led to drug therapy
+ - very scientific - lab studies and brain scans
x - deterministic - Suggests we are controlled by genes….better to use a Diathesis-Stress Model approach

Question 5

Outline and Evaluate the Cognitive approach

Answer 5

1) Internal Mental Processes should be studied Scientifically
- Cognitive is concerned with the mental processes IN BETWEEN stimulus and response ( unlike behaviourists )
Stimulus - Mental Process - Response

2) Role of Schemas
Schemas are packets of ideas, info and knowledge that develop by experience
- help us predict
- can become distorted (RAT-MAN study)

3) Computer Models
To explain mental processes they use computer models (MSM)
+ - PAs such as development of AI

4) Humans are Info Processors
Input - Processing. - Output
(MSM is similar to this)

5) Emergence of Cog Neuroscience
Brain Scanning have shown reliability and validity and is a preferred approach to explaining behaviour

AO3
+ - PAs - led to CBT therapy
+ - Scientific - based on brain scans and lab experiments
x - low eco validity - Loftus + Palmer used film clips and not real life scenarios

Question 6

Outline and Evaluate the Psychodynamic Approach

Answer 6

1) The Role of the Unconcious
- we have an “unconscious mind” that influences our behaviour

2) The Structure of Personality
ID - the pleasure principle: ID is selfish
(ORAL STAGE)
EGO - Reality principle: Decision making
(ANAL STAGE)
SUPEREGO - Morality principle (Angel)
(PHALLIC STAGE)

3) Defence Mechanisms
- repression
- displacement
- denial

4) psychosexual stages of development
Oral - Satisfaction from feeding - Aggressive - optimistic
Anal - Pleasure from defecating - stubborn - disorganised
Phallic - pleasure from genitals - reckless
Latent - interest from hobbies - “null”
Genital - establishment of adult relationships - Difficultly forming relationships

Oedipus Complex - boys desire moms , if the dad finds out he will cut penis off, the boy imitates father (Little Hans)

Electra Complex - girl desires dad, but she realises she doesn’t have a penis, develops penis envy, she imitates mother

AO3
+ PAs - psychoanalysis
x deterministic
x unscientific - based off case studies and are difficult to test

Question 7

Outline and Evaluate the Humanistic Approach

Answer 7

1) people have free will
2) each person is unique
3) Idiographic, focuses on understanding a person, not large groups
4) People have a goal of personal growth and fulfilling their potential

Rodger’s - everyone has the ability to self-actualise
To do this we must receive unconditional positive regard (meaning love from the parent is not withdrawn)

The Self Concept is who you are
The Ideal Self is who you wish to be

Congruence is when the Self and Ideal Self are similar
e.g you want an A but achieve a B

Maslow: Hierarchy if Needs
Self Actualisation
Esteem
Belongingness
Safety
Physiological

AO3:
+ PAs - Led to client centred therapy
x Difficult to test
x ignores cultural differences