Approaches In Psychology - 5

Question 1

Define empiricism

Answer 1

The belief that all knowledge is derived from sensory experience, rather than being innate. Characterised by the use of the experimental scientific method in psychology

Question 2

Contrast the behavioural and biological approaches

Answer 2

• Behaviourists believe all behaviour is learned through your environment (Classical and Operant Conditioning), Biological theorises that behaviour is determined by genes, hormones and neurochemistry
• Behaviourists take the side of nature while biological favour nurture
• Both are reductionist as they only focus on either environment or biology, rather than taking a more holistic approach and considering psychodynamic explanations
• Both have informed effective treatment methods, classical conditioning has been applied to systematic desensitisation, this has been helpful in helping people deal with phobias, while many medications have been developed to treat a whole range of mental illnesses.

Question 3

Define schema

Answer 3

Mental framework of beliefs and expectations that influence cognitive processing. Contains our understanding of an object, a person or an idea. Schemas become increasingly complex during development as we gain more information about each object/idea

Question 4

What is meant by introspection?

Answer 4

Technique devised by Wilhelm Wundt so a person can gain knowledge about their own mental and emotional states as a result of the examination of their conscious thoughts and feelings

Question 5

What is the role of reinforcement in behaviour?

Answer 5

Refers to things that strengthen and increase the likelihood that a behaviour will be repeated in the future

Question 6

Define vicarious reinforcement

Answer 6

Learning that is not the result of direct reinforcement, but rather through observing someone else being reinforced for that behaviour

Question 7

Define free will

Answer 7

The ability to act at one’s discretion, how to choose to behave without being influenced by external factors

Question 8

Define determinism

Answer 8

Belief that behaviour is determined by external or internal factors acting upon an individual that is out of their control

Question 9

Describe classical conditioning in Pavlov’s study

Answer 9

• Pavlov paired the ringing of a bell with the arrival of dog food
• The ringing of a bell was a neutral stimulus while the food was an unconditioned stimulus which naturally resulted in salivation
• Through pairing of these stimuli, a conditioned response was formed
• The bell became a conditioned stimulus - producing a conditioned response of salivation, even in the absence of the unconditioned stimulus, the food

Question 10

Outline the emergence of cognitive neuroscience

Answer 10

An area of psychology dedicated to the underlying neural bases of cognitive functions