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A level - Psychology > Approaches in Psychology > Flashcards

Approaches in Psychology Flashcards

1
Q

Introspection

A

An early psychological approach favoured by Wundt that sought to understand the mind through examination of one’s own conscious thought processes

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2
Q

Psychology

A

The scientific study of the mind, behaviour and experience

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3
Q

Science

A

A means of acquiring knowledge through systematic and objective investigation

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4
Q

Wundt’s lab (1879)

A

j

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5
Q

Behaviourist approach

A

A means of understanding behaviour that focuses upon the effect of environmental stimuli upon observable responses through classical and operant conditioning

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6
Q

Classical conditioning

A

Type of learning where a response produced naturally by a certain stimulus becomes associated with another stimulus not normally associated with that particular response

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7
Q

Operant conditioning

A

A type of learning that occurs through the reinforcement or punishment of the consequences of an individual’s actions

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8
Q

Reinforcement

A

A consequence of behaviour that increases the likelihood of that behaviour being repeated

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9
Q

Stimulus genrealisation

A

When a stimulus becomes generalised to other related stimuli which are also associated with the conditioned response

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10
Q

Stimulus discrimination

A

When a stimulus is not associated with the conditioned response as it too different from the original stimulus

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11
Q

Positive reinforcement

A

Where a behaviour is strengthened and thus is likely to recur due to positive consequences of that behaviour

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12
Q

Negative reinforcement

A

Where a behaviour is strengthened and thus is likely to recur due to avoidance of negative consequences of that behaviour

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13
Q

Punishment

A

Where a behaviour is less likely to recur due to negative consequences of that behaviour

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14
Q

John B. Watson (1913)

A

j

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15
Q

Ivan Pavlov (1927)

A

j

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16
Q

B.F. Skinner (1953)

A

j

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17
Q

Social learning theory

A

A type of learning based upon the observation and imitation of models seen to be vicariously reinforced

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18
Q

Imitation

A

Copying the behaviour of others

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19
Q

Identification

A

When an observer associates themselves with a role model and wants to be like the role model

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20
Q

Modelling

A

The imitation of behaviour demonstrated by someone influential to an individual observing the behaviour

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21
Q

Vicarious reinforcement

A

A reinforcement seen to be gained by a person modelling a behaviour

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22
Q

Mediational processes

A

Cognitive factors that influence learning and come between stimulus and response

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23
Q

Albert Bandura (1961)

A

j

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24
Q

Albert Bandura (1977)

25
Cognitive approach
A means of understanding the mind that focuses upon the idea that internal mental processes underpin behaviour
26
Internal mental processes
The thought processes occurring in the mind between a stimulus and a response
27
Schema
A collection of ideas about a person or situation formed through experience which helps the individual to understand and predict the world around them
28
Inference
The process whereby cognitive psychologists draw conclusion about the way mental processes operate on the basis of observed behaviour
29
Cognitive neuroscience
The scientific study of those biological structures that underpin cognitive processes
30
Biological approach
A means of understanding mind and behaviour focused upon the physiological mechanisms of the body, such as genetics, neurochemical imbalances or Brian abnormalities
31
Genes
Specific sequences of nucleotides in DNA or RNA transmitted by inheritance from one generation to another
32
Biological structure
The physiological structures within an individual's body that are seen as integrating with each other to produce one's characteristics and behaviour
33
Neurochemistry
The biochemistry of the central nervous system consisting of the transmission of neurotransmitters
34
Genotype
The inherited behavioural potential of an individual; their genetic make-up
35
Phenotype
The characteristics and behaviours exhibited by an individual, which occur due to an interaction between their genes and environment
36
Evolution
A biological process where genes that increase survival chances become more widespread in a population through a process of natural selection
37
Charles Darwin (19th century)
j
38
Neuron
The basic building blocks of the nervous system, neurons are nerve cells that process and transmit messages through electrical and chemical signals
39
Sensory neurons
These carry messages from the PNS to the CNS
40
Relay neurons
These connect the sensory neurons to the motor or other relay neurons
41
Motor neurons
These connect the CNS to effectors such as muscles and glands
42
Synaptic transmission
The process by which neighbouring neurons communicate with each other by sending chemical messages across the synapse that separates them
43
Neurotransmitter
Brain chemicals released from synapse vesicles that relay signals across the synapse from one neutron to another
44
Exictation
When a neurotransmitter increases the positive charge of the postsynaptic neuron
45
Inhibition
When a neurotransmitter, increases the negative charge of the postsynaptic neuron
46
Psychodynamic approach
A means of understanding mind and behaviour that sees unconscious psychological processes and childhood experiences as shaping adult personality and behaviour
47
Unconscious mind
The thoughts that occur without any conscious awarness
48
Pre-conscious mind
The thoughts that occur just out of conscious awareness
49
Id
The selfish, irrational, pleasure-seeking component of personality
50
Ego
The rational, realistic component of personality that seeks to balance the unrealistic and opposite demands of the id and superego
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Superego
The irrational, moralistic part of personality that acts as one's conscience
52
Defence mechanisms
Stratigies used to reduce anxiety, such as repression, denial and displacement
53
Repression
Highly emotional and unpleasant thoughts ar buried deep in the unconscious mind
54
Displacement
A strong emotion is displaced from its target onto a neutral object or person
55
Psychosexual stages
A series of stages all individuals progress through from birth to puberty, which shape adult personality
56
Psychosexual stages
A series of stages all individuals progress through from birth to puberty, which shape adult personality
57
Fixation
An obsessive point of focus that originates from an unresolved trauma occurring during psychosexual stages of development
58
Sigmund Freud (
j

A level - Psychology (8 decks)

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