Approaches - Booklet 2 Flashcards
Biological Approach, Psychodynamic Approach, Humanistic Psychology, Comparison of Approaches
what are the assumptions of the biological approach
-there is a direct correlation between brain activity and cognition
-biochemical imbalances can affect behaviour
-brain physiology can affect behaviour
-behaviour can be inherited as it is determined by genes
how would charles darwin explain human behaviour
-natural selection
-characteristics that are not suited to a species’ environment will die out as it struggles to survive
-with time it will evolve over generations so only adaptive characteristics remain in future offspring
how can twins be used to suggest behaviour is genetic
-twin studies determine likelihood that certain traits have a genetic basis by comparing the concordance rates between pairs of twins
-using mz and dz pairs to determine the influence of genetics
what are concordance rates
-the extent to which both twins share the same characteristic
describe mz pairs of twins
-monozygotic
-both inherit 100% similar genes
-always of the same sex
describe dz pairs of twins
-dizygotic
-both inherit approximately 50% similar genes
-same or different sex
define the biological approach
-a perspective that emphasises the importance of physical processes in the body such as genetic inheritance and neural function
define genes
-they make up chromosomes and consist of dna which codes the physical features of an organism and psychological features
-genes are transmitted from parents to offspring
define biological structure
-an arrangement or organisation of parts to form an organ, system or living thing
define neurochemistry
-relating to chemicals in the brain that regulate psychological functioning
define genotype
-the particular set of genes that a person possesses
define phenotype
-the characteristics of an individual determined by both genes and the environment
define evolution
-the changes in inherited characteristics in a biological population over successive generations
what is the difference between genotype and phenotype
-genotype is the actual genetic makeup
-but the expression of genotype (phenotype) is influenced by environmental factors
how do the structures of the brain influence our behaviour
-interactions between regions of the brain help to control different functions, which biological psychologists assume to be significant in determining our actions
examples of brain structures influencing behaviour
-hippocampus - episodic memory recall
-broca’s area - speech production
how can neurochemistry affect behaviour
-neurochemical imbalances in the brain are often associated with abnormal behaviour
-evidence suggests imbalances of dopamine are associated with mood disorders such as depression
describe adrenaline
-fight or flight
-produced in stressful situations
-increases heart rate and blood flow
-leading to physical boost and heightened awareness
describe noradrenaline
-concentration
-affects attention and responding actions in the brain
-controls blood vessels, increasing blood flow
describe dopamine
-pleasure
-feelings of pleasure, addiction, movement and motivatiom
-people repeat behaviours that lead to dopamine release
describe serotonin
-mood
-contributes to wellbeing and happiness
-helps sleep cycle and digestive system regulation
-affected by exercise and light exposure
AO3 points about the biological approach
-reductionist
-uses scientific methods
-real life application
explain limitation of biological approach being reductionist
-attempts to reduce all aspects of human behaviour down to one level of explanation
-human behaviour is reduced down to physical processes such as activity of neurotransmitters
-so it underestimates the role of our environment in behaviour
counter to the biological approach being reductionist being a limitation
-can be a strength because isolating by one factor allows researchers to investigate that factor scientifically
explain strength of biological approach having scientific methods
-precise methods
-scanning techniques including fMRIs, EEGs
-family and twin studies
-drug trials
-biologival and neural processes can be accurately measured without bias making the biological approach based on reliable data
explain strength of biological approach having real life application
-understanding of biochemical processes in the brain has led to development of psychoactive drugs that treat mental illnesses
-although not effective for all, revolutionary for many
-sufferers can manage their condition and live a relatively normal life
counter to real life application being a strength of the biological approach
-drugs can only be used to treat the symptoms of mental illneses rather than the cause
-so they should be used alongside other treatments
assumptions of the psychodynamic approach
-unconscious activity is the key determinant of how we behave
-we possess innate drives that energize our minds to motivate behaviour as we develop through our lives
-our personality, the psyche, is comprised of the Id, ego and superego
-childhood experiences have significant importance in determining our personalities when we reach adulthood
describe the id
-pleasure principle
-drives us to satisfy selfish urges
-exists from birth
-fights with the superego
-entirely unconscious
describe the ego
-reality principle
-acts rationally, balancing the id and superego
-develops ages 2-4
describe the superego
-moral principle
-acts as our conscience
-child internalises morals of society
-fights with id with feelings of guilt
-develops ages 4-5
define the psychodynamic approach
-a perspective that describes the different forces, most of which are unconscious, that operate on the mind and direct human behaviour and experience
define the unconscious
-the part of the mind that we are unaware of but which continues to direct much of our behaviour
define defence mechanisms
-unconscious strategies that the ego uses to manage the conflict between the id and the superego
define the psychosexual stages
-five developmental stages that all children pass through
-at each stage there is a different conflict, the outcome of which determines future development
what are the 5 psychosexual stages
-oral
-anal
-phallic
-latency
-genital
describe the oral stage
-age 0-1
-focus is the mouth- sucking, biting, chewing
-development is weaning off breastfeeding
-fixation becomes smoking, overeating
describe the anal stage
-age 1-3
-focus is the anus- bowel and bladder elimination
-development is toilet training
-fixation becomes orderliness, messiness
describe the phallic stage
-age 3-5
-focus is the genitals- coping with incestuous sexual feelings
-development is resolving oedipus and electra complex
-fixation becomes deviancy, sexual dysfunction
describe the latency stage
-age 6-12
-no focus as dormant sexual feeling
-development is developing defense mechanisms
-no fixation
describe the genital stage
-age 12/puberty/adulthood
-focus is genitals - maturation of sexual interest
-development is reaching full sexual maturity
-if all stages are successfully completed, the person would be sexually mature and mentally healthy
what are the defence mechanisms
-repression
-denial
-displacement
describe repression
-forcing a distressing memory out of the conscious mind
describe denial
-refusing to acknowledge some aspect of reality
describe displacement
-transferring feelings from the true source of distressing emotion onto a substitute target
AO3 points about the psychodynamic approach
-used in modern day psychiatry
-evidence of case studies is difficult to generalise
-many ideas are non falsifiable
explain modern day psychiatry using freudian psychoanalytic techniques
-free association and dream analysis are still used in therapeutic contexts
-lasting impact in application
counter to psychodynamic approach being used in modern day psychiatry
-some practicioners prefer evidence based approaches
-suggesting integration between psychodynamic methods + modern scientific frameworks
explain in the psychodynamic approach why case study evidence is difficult to generalise
-findings of individual case studies may not be representative of larger populations
-challenging to draw broad conclusions from psychodynamic research
-undermining application of the approach in diverse contexts and populations
explain in the psychodynamic approach why many of freud’s ideas are considered to be non falsifiable
-unconscious mind cannot be directly observed or tested to it is difficult to validate scientifically
-karl popper’s critique that a theory must be falsifiable to be considered scientific
-which diminishes credibility of freud’s theories in the scientific community limiting acceptance and application
assumptions in the humanistic approach
-existential assumption that people have free will
-people are basically good and have an innate need to make themselves and the world better
-people are motivated to self actualise
-the subjective, conscious experience of the individual is most important
list maslows hierarchy of needs in order from bottom to top
-physiological
-safety
-love/belonging
-esteem
-self actualisation
describe congruence
-the individuals concept of self being broadly equivalent to their ideal self
-meaning personal growth can be achieved
how do we set our conditions of worth
-people believe they will only be loved or valued if they meet certain conditions of worth
-people set their ideal self based on conditions of worth
explain the influence of the humanistic approach on counselling psychology
-carl rogers put forward client centered therapy
-using unconditional positive regard
-to focus on the positive aspects of the person
-increase self worth
-reduce incongruence
AO3 points on the humanistic approach
-not reductionist
-limited application
-untestable concepts
-cultural bias
explain the humanistic approach not being reductionist
-humanists reject breaking up behaviour and experience into smaller components
-advocate holism
-rather than eg the cognitive approach using machine reductionism
-so has more validity than its alternatives as it considers meaningful human behaviour within its real life context
explain the humanistic approach having limited application
-although rogerian therapy has revolutionised counselling techniques and maslows HON explains motivation in the workplace, the approach has limited impact
-it lacks a sound evidence base and is not a comprehensive theory
-so it is less beneficial in the discipline of psychology
explain the humanistic approach involving untestable concepts
-lots of aspects are vague, abstract and difficult to test
-concepts are useful therapeutic tools, but hard to access in experimental conditions
-so does not have empirical evidence to support its claims
counter to the humanistic approach involving untestable concepts
-rogers developed the q sort technique as an objective measure of progress in therapy
explain the humanistic approach having cultural bias
-the ideas of freedom, autonomy and personal growth are associated with individualist cultures in the western world
-collectivist cultures such as India emphasise the needs of the group, community and interdependence, which don’t identify easily with the values of humanistic psychology
-so the approach cannot travel well and is a product of the cultural context it was developed in
comparison features of the biological approach
-biological determinism
-nature
-biological reductionism
-nomothetic
-scientific
-real world application
comparison features of the behaviourist approach
-environmental determinism
-nurture
-environmental reductionism
-nomothetic
-scientific
-real world application
comparison features of social learning theory
-soft determinism
-nurture
-shares elements of the behaviourist and cognitive approach in terms of reductionism
-nomothetic
-mostly scientific
-real world application
comparison features of the cognitive approach
-soft determinism
-nature+nurture
-environmental reductionism
-nomothetic
-mostly scientific
-real world application
comparison features of the psychodynamic approach
-psychic determinism
-mostly nature
-reductionism+holism
-idiographic + nomothetic
-not scientific
-real world application
comparison features of the humanistic approach
-free will
-mostly nurture
-holism
-idiographic
-not scientific
-real world application
