Approaches In Psychology Flashcards
What is structuralism and who was it introduced by?
Wundt studied structuralism, the idea that consciousness could be studied through its structure. The aim of structuralism was to break Down and isolate the constituents of consciousness.
Define introspection.
A technique used by Wundt to gain insight into how mental processes work by asking participants/patients to examine their own thoughts, feelings and sensations when presented with a stimulus such as problem solving.
What 4 assumptions does the behaviourist approach make?
- Behaviour is learned through experience
- only observable behaviour is measurable scientifically, but thought processes are subjective and difficult to test.
- it is valid to study the behaviour of animals as they share the same principles of learning
- according to the behaviourist approach we are born a blank slate, so there is no genetic influence on behaviour.
What is classical conditioning?
Occurs when a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a particular response.
What is operant conditioning?
Individuals learn from the consequences of their actions, which can be positively or negatively reinforced.
In classical conditioning what is stimulus generalisation?
Associations are made to other stimuli which are similar to the conditioned stimulus.
In classical conditioning, what is stimulus discrimination?
This refers to the cut off point where stimulus generalisation will no longer occur because the characteristics of the stimuli are too different to the conditioned stimulus for generalisation to occur.
In classical conditioning, what is time contiguity?
Associations will only be made if the neutral stimulus and the unconditioned stimulus are presented at the same time or in close succession to each other.
What are the 5 types of reinforcement?
Continuous Fixed interval Variable interval Fixed ratio Variable ratio
What is continuous reinforcement?
Every single response is reinforced.
What is fixed interval reinforcement?
A reward is given following a response, but only after a certain time interval has passed.
What is variable interval reinforcement?
A reinforcement is given on average every interval, but the interval varies from trial to trial.
what is fixed ratio reinforcement?
A reinforcement is given after a certain amount of responses.
What is variable ratio reinforcement?
A reinforcement is given after the average certain amount of responses, but varies from trial to trial.
What was the aim of Skinners box for rats?
To observe animal response in artificial situations.
What was the procedure of Skinners box for rats?
Rats contained a response lever which could prompt the release of a pellet down a chute so that the rat could eat it
Define imitation
When an individual observes a behaviour from a role model and simulate it.
Define identification
When an individual is influenced by another in order to gain acceptance
What is vicarious reinforcement
When a person learns by observing the consequences of a role models behaviour
What are the mediational processes
Attention
Retention
Reproduction
Motivation
What are the 2 assumptions made by the social learning theory?
Behaviour is learned from the environment
Behaviour is based on observing others and the reinforcement they receive
What was the aim of Bandura’s bobo doll study?
To examine the effect of continual influence of a role model.
What was the procedure used in bandura’s bobo doll study?
72 children were divided into 3 groups containing 24 each. The groups either had an aggressive, non-aggressive role model or no role model. There were 3 stages: observing the role model (for 10 mins), mild aggression arousal (shown into room with toys prohibited to play with), test for delayed imitation (shown into room with bobo doll & toy weapons).
What were the results of Bandura’s bobo doll study?
Children with an aggressive role model acted more aggressively with the bobo doll.
What were the conclusions of Bandura’s bobo doll study?
There is a behavioural effect from observing a models behaviour and it continues after a delay. Therefore, the social learning theory is supported in arguing behaviour is influenced through imitation.
What are the strengths of Bandura’s bobo doll study?
Standardised procedure makes it reliable and replicable
All variables were controlled and therefore a cause-effect relationship was established
What were the weaknesses of Bandura’s bobo doll study?
Low ecological validity-the procedure included children with an adult model, limiting social situations that the findings can be applied to.
The demonstrations are measured within a short time and therefore, we cannot establish any long term effects.
What are the strengths of the social learning theory?
SLT takes cognitive process into account.
The approach successfully explains the initiation of certain behaviours.
What are the criticisms of social learning theory?
It’s not a full explanation as it doesn’t explain behaviours when there is no apparent role model.
Social learning theorists use a variety of research methods reducing reliability in their work.
What are the assumptions made by the cognitive approach?
Thought processes can be studied scientifically
The mind works like a computer
Define schema
A cognitive framework of ideas about a person or situation formed through experience which helps an individual to understand and predict the world around them.
