Approaches In Psychology

Question 1

(OOP)

Wundt’s belief (at the start)

Answer 1

That all aspects of the human mind could be investigated experimentally.

Question 2

(OOP)

Why wundt’s approach referred to as structuralism

Answer 2

Because he broke down behaviours such as sensation and perception into their basic elements.

Question 3

(OOP)

What is structuralism

Answer 3

Breaking down behaviour to basic elements.

Question 4

(OOP)

What is introspection

Answer 4

Process by which a person gains knowledge of self, through self examination of emotions.

Question 5

(OOP)

What is empiricism

Answer 5

Belief that knowledge is not innate (born), derived from sensory experience, characterised by scientific method.

Question 6

(OOP)

What is scientific method

Answer 6

Objective, systematic and replicable investigative methods & testing/ modifying hypothesis based on these methods.

Question 7

(OOP)

Why did wundt’s belief change about experimental study

Answer 7

He came to realise that higher mental processes eg. Learning, language and emotions couldn’t be studied in the same way.

Question 8

(OOP)

How does Nisbett & Wilson’s findings challenge introspective reports?

Answer 8

• That we have very little knowledge of the causes of, processes underlying, and our behaviour and attitudes, a claim that challenges introspective reports.
• furthermore, some thoughts are not in our conscious awareness (unconscious mind) can’t be reported as we’re not aware.

Question 9

(OOP)
What is criticism of wundt’s results?
(Criticises the technique of introspection)

Answer 9

• Relied primarily on ‘non observable’ responses.
• introspective ‘experimental’ results were not reliably reproducible.
• weren’t able to replicate as they were not the same findings.

Question 10

(TBA)

Classical conditioning

Answer 10

based on reflex responses that occur involuntarily when stimuli is presented eg. Salivating to smells of food

Question 11

(TBA)

Operant conditioning

Answer 11

behaviour can be shaped by either rewarding or punishing that behaviour.

Rewarding a behaviour increases the likelihood of that behaviour happening again.

Question 12

(TBA)

What was the (UCS) (NS) and (UCR) in pavlov’s dogs

Answer 12

UCS- food
NS- bell
UCR- salivation

Question 13

(TBA)

What happens during the ‘acquisition stage’

Answer 13

The NS (bell) and UCS (the food) become associated

Question 14

(TBA)

The behaviourist approach

Answer 14

Suggested that all behaviour is learned through either classical or operant conditioning

Question 15

(TBA)

What is reinforcement

Answer 15

Something in the environment that strengthens a particular behaviour making it more likely to occur.

Question 16

(TBA)

Positive reinforcement

Answer 16

Occurs when a behaviour produces a consequence that is satisfying or pleasant for the organism.
Eg. Food treat for the dog when telling it to sit

Question 17

(TBA)

Negative reinforcement

Answer 17

Remove something unpleasant.

Eg. Hitting the off button in the ‘skinner box’ stopped the electric shock

Question 18

(SLT)

Social learning theory

Answer 18

KEY STUDY: Bandura et al (1961)

The modern behaviourist approach to explaining behaviour, it acknowledges that we can learn through classical and operant conditioning, but also allows for cognitive processes in learning i.e we can learn through observation and imitation of others.

Question 19

(TBA)

How did the behaviourist approach criticise introspection?

Answer 19

Suggested that introspection was not reliable and said that we should be studying events that are ‘observable’. It focussed on stimulus-response learning & is therefore known as the ‘learning approach’.

Question 20

(TBA)

What is meant by extinction in the behaviourist approach?

Answer 20

They’ll (eg. Dog) forget the bell if it stops being presented but if presented again (2nd time) the dog will learn quicker.

So basically once the bell has stopped being presented the dog forgets but when presented another time it remembers it quicker and learns quicker this time.

Question 21

(TBA)

What is stimulus generalisation in the behaviourist approach?

Answer 21

• Once a behaviour is conditioned, the response can happen with other similar stimuli.
• They (eg. Dog) might respond to something with a similar sound to a bell eg. A tuning fork.

Question 22

(TBA)

What is a study for classical conditioning?

Answer 22

Pavlov- ‘pavlov’s dogs’

Question 23

(TBA)

What is a study that for operant conditioning?

Answer 23

Skinner- ‘skinner’s theory’(1938)

Question 24

(THA)

Free will

Answer 24

To choose a path in life, within the constraints imposed by other forces. Eg. Biological, societal

Question 25

(THA)

Self actualisation

Answer 25

Moments of extreme inspiration and ecstasy during which they felt able to leave behind all doubts, fears and inhibitions.

Question 26

(THA)

The focus on self

Answer 26

(Carl Rogers) Suggests we need positive regard and a feeling of self worth- this is contributed to by significant others.

Question 27

(THA)

Congruence

Answer 27

Exists when their is a match between our perceived self (the way we think of ourself) and our ideal self. (How we want to be vs. how we actually think we are.

Question 28

(THA)

Hierarchy of needs

Answer 28

Considers the process of growth & fulfilment from basic needs (fold&shelter) to ultimate self actualisation