Approaches in psychology Flashcards
Psychology is a new scientific discipline. It was once known as e___________ philosophy
Psychology is a new scientific discipline. It was once known as experimental philosophy
Rene D__________ had a concept called c_________ ____________ which states that the mind and body are separate entities. The brain and the ______ are not the same
Rene Descrates had a concept called cartesian dualism which states that the mind and body are separate entities. The brain and the mind are not the same
John Locke and his concept of ___________ which is the belief that all knowledge iss derived from __________ experience and can be studies using the __________ ____________.
John Locke and his concept of empiricism which is the belief that all knowledge iss derived from sensory experience and can be studied using the scientific method.
Define science
a means of acquiring knowledge through systematic and objective investigation. The aim is to discover general laws
How did Wundt help psychology emerge as a science?
Opened the 1st psych lab in Germany. Wundt studied the mind using introspection. He separated psychology from philosophy by analysing workings of the mind in structured and objective ways under control
Assumptions of Behaviourist approach
looking at observable behaviours not mental processes, measuring it objectively and scientifically.
All behaviour is learned and a baby’s mind is a blank slate. Behaviour is learned through conditioning.
Psych is a science so research must be conducted in a controlled environment to establish a cause and effect conclusion
There is little difference between the learning that takes place in animals and in humans so experiments can be conducted on either.
define classical conditioning
learning through association. type of learning where an existing involuntary reflex response is associated with a new stimulus
Outline Pavlov’s experiment
Neutral stimulus was the bell until it became associated with the unconditional stimulus the food- this turned the bell into the conditioned stimulus where the dog salivates when hearing the bell.
define positive reinforcement
increased likelihood of a response occurring because it involves a reward for the behaviour
define negative reinforcement
increases likelihood of a response occurring because it involves the removal of or escaping from unpleasant consequences.
define punishment
unpleasant consequences of behaviour
strengths of Behaviourist approach
- scientific because of high control over Vs
*Replicable—> reliability (skinner box)
*Quantitative data easy to analyse
*real world application
*behavioural modification programmes- can rehabilitate offenders through operant conditioning- token economy
define operant conditioning
a form of learning where behaviour is shaped and maintained by its consequences
define reinforcement
a consequence of behaviour that increases the likelihood of that behaviour being repeated
outline the study of little Albert
CLASSICAL CONDITIONING-
US- hammer struck against steel bar
UCR-Crying
NS- rabbit
CS-rabbit
CR-crying
Albert developed phobias of objects that shared characteristics with the coat-
this is known as generalisation- conditioned associations going beyond the specific stimuli presented.
fear did fade as it was later not reinforced- extinction
Outline the Skinner box study on operant conditioning
skinner box= controlled light, noise and temperature
When the animal pressed the lever, it received a reward (e.g., food) or avoided a punishment (e.g., an electric shock).
Over time, the animal learned to associate pressing the lever with receiving a reward, reinforcing the behaviour.
Positive reinforcement (adding a reward) increased the behaviour.
Negative reinforcement (removing an unpleasant stimulus) also strengthened the behaviour.
Punishment (e.g., a mild electric shock for an incorrect action) discouraged unwanted behaviour.
Conclusion:
Skinner demonstrated that behaviour could be modified through reinforcement and punishment.
Limitations of Behaviourist approach
all behaviour influenced by past experiences- this is deterministic ignoring influence of free will.
ethics- animals are exposed to stressful and aversive conditions which also affect how they behave in the situation
Assumptions of Biological approach
- everything psychological is at first biological
- investigates how biological structures and processes within the body impact behaviours
- genes affect behaviour and influence individual differences between people. Evolutionary psychology considers genetic influences in common behaviours
4.The mind lives in the brain- contrast to the cognitive approach where the mental processes of the mind are seen as separate from the physical brain
what is meant by concordance rates in twins
extent to which twins are similar and share the same characteristics
define genotype
a particular set of genes that an organism carries with the potential for characteristics or behaviour and cannot be seen with the naked eye
define phenotype
observable characteristics of an organism. these characteristics depend on the interaction of genes and the environment
