approaches exam questions Flashcards
1
Q
explain what is meant by classical and operant conditioning 4 m
A
- classical conditioning is when a neutral stimulus is consistently paired with an unconditioned stimulus so that it eventually takes on the properties of this stimulus and is able to produced a conditioned response.
- operant conditioning is learning through reinforcement or punishment. If a behaviour is followed by a desirable consequence then the behaviour is more likely to occur again in the future. If a behaviour is followed by an undesirable consequence then the behaviour is less likely to occur
2
Q
explain what is meant by positive and negative reinforcement 2 marks
A
- positive reinforcement happens when behaviour produces a consequence that is satisfying for the organism
- negative reinforcement is when something unpleasant is removed and so the organism goes back to its pre-aversive state
3
Q
outline the main findings of Pavlo’s research 4 m
A
- he discovered classical conditioning
- he noticed that the dogs not only salivated when food was placed in their mouths, but also reacted to stimuli that was associated with the presentation of food (the bell ringing)
- how a neutral stimulus can come to elicit a new learned response through association
4
Q
outline the main findings of skinners research
A
- found that organisms spontaneously produce different behaviours, and these behaviours produce consequences for that organism which are either positive ( receiving an award) or negative ( unpleasant consequence )
- he found this through his idea of the ‘skinner box’ . He out rats in this box and every time they ran over a lever it would release food for them. This lead to the rate pressing the lever when they wanted food.
5
Q
outline one strength and one limitation of the behaviourists approach
A
- a strength is that classical conditioning had led to the development of treatments for anxiety that’s associated with various phobias
- systematic desensitisation is a therapy based on classical conditioning.
- this therapy eliminates the anxious response that is associated with a particular object
- however, both research was on animals, dogs and rats. This mean it can tell us little about human behaviour as human beings have free will and more more complex systems which determine our behaviour rather than it just being based on positive and negative reinforcement
6
Q
outline what is meant by cognitive neuroscience 1 mark
A
- studying the brain to learn about which brain structures are involved in the different types of mental processing
7
Q
name two psychological stages
2 m
A
- Anal
- Oral
8
Q
Outline how denial is used according to the psychodynamic approach 4 marks
A
- denial is when a person refuses to accept reality so they can avoid having to deal with any negative feelings that are associated with the particular event
- it is a defence mechanism which works unconsciously
- the person acts as if the traumatic event never happened.
- e.g. a person may refuse to accept that they are and alcoholic even after being in rehab
9
Q
describe the influence of humanistic psychology on counselling 4 m
A
- by using the humanistic approach ideas of conditions of worth and conditional positive regard, Rogers believed that with counselling, people would be able to solve their problems in constructive ways
- this lead to humanistic therapists regarding themselves as ‘guides’ to help people understand themselves so they can move to self- actualisation.
- humanistic therapists provide empathy and unconditional positive regard in order to get rid of the clients conditions of worth.
- this type of therapy results in the client acting true to who they are instead of acting in a way that others what them to
10
Q
using an example, outline one type of reinforcement used in learning theories
A
- positive reinforcement happened when behaviour produces a consequence that is pleasant for the organism
- e.g. praising a child after they do something particular well
11
Q
outline what is meant by a schema 2 m
A
- a schema is a mental framework that allows us to take short cuts when interpreting the judge amount of info that we have to deal with on a daily basis
- schemas often cause us to develop stereotypes and as we get older our schemas become more detailed and developed
12
Q
outline the role of meditational processes in social learning 4 m
A
- they are the internal mental processes that exists between an environmental stimuli and the response made by an individual to that stimuli
- there are four meditational processes in learning
1. attention - whether behaviour is noticed
2. retention - whether behaviour is remembered
3. motor reproduction - being able to do it
4. motivation - the will to perform the behaviour
13
Q
define self actualisation 2 marks
A
- the highest level in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
- people who reach this level share particular characteristics such as creativity
- it is made up of spontaneous problem solving and acceptance of facts
14
Q
explain the difference between genotype and phenotype 4m
A
- genotype is the genetic makeup of an individual
- it is a collection of genetic info that is passed on from generation to generation
- phenotype is the observable characteristics of an individual
- this is a consequence of the phenotype interacting with the environment.
15
Q
weakness of Pavlo’s research 4 m
A
- different species face different challenges to survive so have different abilities to learn through classical conditioning
- Seligman suggest that animals are prepared to learn associations that are significant in terms of their survival needs yet unprepared to learn associations that are not significant in this respect
- as a result, relationships between the CS and the UCS tend to be more difficult to establish for some species rather than for others
