Approaches In Psychology Flashcards
(OOP)
Wundt’s belief (at the start)
That all aspects of the human mind could be investigated experimentally.
(OOP)
Why wundt’s approach referred to as structuralism
Because he broke down behaviours such as sensation and perception into their basic elements.
(OOP)
What is structuralism
Breaking down behaviour to basic elements.
(OOP)
What is introspection
Process by which a person gains knowledge of self, through self examination of emotions.
(OOP)
What is empiricism
Belief that knowledge is not innate (born), derived from sensory experience, characterised by scientific method.
(OOP)
What is scientific method
Objective, systematic and replicable investigative methods & testing/ modifying hypothesis based on these methods.
(OOP)
Why did wundt’s belief change about experimental study
He came to realise that higher mental processes eg. Learning, language and emotions couldn’t be studied in the same way.
(OOP)
How does Nisbett & Wilson’s findings challenge introspective reports?
- 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.
(OOP)
What is criticism of wundt’s results?
(Criticises the technique of introspection)
- 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.
(TBA)
Classical conditioning
based on reflex responses that occur involuntarily when stimuli is presented eg. Salivating to smells of food
(TBA)
Operant conditioning
behaviour can be shaped by either rewarding or punishing that behaviour.
Rewarding a behaviour increases the likelihood of that behaviour happening again.
(TBA)
What was the (UCS) (NS) and (UCR) in pavlov’s dogs
UCS- food
NS- bell
UCR- salivation
(TBA)
What happens during the ‘acquisition stage’
The NS (bell) and UCS (the food) become associated
(TBA)
The behaviourist approach
Suggested that all behaviour is learned through either classical or operant conditioning
(TBA)
What is reinforcement
Something in the environment that strengthens a particular behaviour making it more likely to occur.
(TBA)
Positive reinforcement
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
(TBA)
Negative reinforcement
Remove something unpleasant.
Eg. Hitting the off button in the ‘skinner box’ stopped the electric shock
(SLT)
Social learning theory
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.
(TBA)
How did the behaviourist approach criticise introspection?
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’.
(TBA)
What is meant by extinction in the behaviourist approach?
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.
(TBA)
What is stimulus generalisation in the behaviourist approach?
- 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.
(TBA)
What is a study for classical conditioning?
Pavlov- ‘pavlov’s dogs’
(TBA)
What is a study that for operant conditioning?
Skinner- ‘skinner’s theory’(1938)
(THA)
Free will
To choose a path in life, within the constraints imposed by other forces. Eg. Biological, societal
