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A-Level Psychology Year 1 > Approaches in Psychology (Biological, Psychodynamic, Humanistic)- TB > Flashcards

Approaches in Psychology (Biological, Psychodynamic, Humanistic)- TB Flashcards

1
Q

BI: What does heredity mean?

A

Passing of characteristics from one generation to the next through the genes- the reason that off-spring take after their parents

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2
Q

BI: What do genes do? (2 examples)

A

Carry instructions for a particular characteristic e.g. intelligence or temperament

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3
Q

BI: What is the nature-nurture debate?

A

The debate to which psychological characteristics are determined by genes or the environment

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4
Q

BI: What is a genotype?

A

The genetic code that is ‘written’ in the DNA of an individual’s cells

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5
Q

BI: What is a phenotype?

A

The physical appearance that results from inherited information from the genotype

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6
Q

BI: Why do individuals differ in terms of intelligence, ability etc.?

A

Because each individual has a unique combination of genetic instructions

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7
Q

BI: Where does the central nervous system (CNS) go?

A

Brain & spinal cord

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8
Q

BI: Where does the peripheral nervous system (PNS) go?

A

Somatic & autonamic nervous system

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9
Q

BI: What is the cerebrum?

A

85% of the brain, divided into 2 halves (hemispheres) which are divided into 4 (lobes)
Outer surface=Cerebral Cortex which is responsible for “higher order” functions e.g. thought & language

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10
Q

BI: What is a neurotransmitter?

A

A chemical at the end of a neuron, which travels from one neuron to the next across a synapse

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11
Q

BI: What are the 2 types of neurotransmitter?

A

1) Excitatory neurotransmitter
2) Inhibitory transmitter

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12
Q

BI: What does the excitatory neurotransmitter do? (example)

A

Triggers nerve impulses in the receiving neuron & stimulates the brain into action- e.g. Dopamine=motivation

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13
Q

BI: What does the inhibitory transmitter do? (example)

A

Inhibits nerve impulses in order to calm the brain & balance mood- e.g. Serotonin= stables mood

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14
Q

BI: What are hormones?

A

Chemical produced by endocrine glands making up the endocrine system

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15
Q

BI: What do hormones do?

A

Respond to a signal in the brain and are secreted into the bloodstream and travel to ‘target cells’ & exert their influence by stimulating receptors on the surface or inside cells- altering its activity

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16
Q

BI: What is the fundamental belief of the biological approach?

A

All behaviour can be explained in terms of the individuals biology including: genetic basis of behaviour, genotype & phenotype, biological structures, neurochemistry & evolution

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17
Q

BI: What 4 topics are involved in the biological approach?

A

1) Genes (heredity, G/Phenotype)
2) Biological structures (brain & nervous system)
3) Neurochemistry- (hormones & neurotransmitters)
4) Evolution (natural selection)

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18
Q

BI: What is an example of a hormone and research into it?

A

Testosterone- Carre et al (2006) found higher testosterone in ice hockey players at home, suggesting the hormone energised players to defend their home territory

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19
Q

BI: What are 3 strengths of the biological approach?

A

1) Scientific method- controlled variables- ↑ validity of biological validity due to control
2) Real world application- clear predictions of effect of neurotransmitters on behaviour- demonstrates value of biological approach
3) If predisposition is discovered, they can avoid situations that trigger it, or can develop coping skills

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20
Q

BI: How is scientific method a strength of the biological approach?

A

Highly controlled environment- research is replicable under the same conditions which ↑ Validity of biological approach

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21
Q

BI: How is real world application a strength of the biological approach?

A

Clear predictions of effects of neurotransmitters- used in research into the role of neurochemical imbalance in depression which led to development of effective drug treatments- demonstrating the value of the biological approach

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22
Q

BI: What are 3 criticisms of the biological approach?

A

1) It is Reductionist- believes complex behaviour can be broken down & doesn’t take other possible influences into account
2) Behaviours are passed on through genes & cultural practice- limited explanatory power- some patterns of human behaviour have purely cultural origins, not survival
3) Concerns about how it is used- Genetic screening & discrimination against those with a predisposition to criminality & convenient excuse for complicated behaviour (criminality)

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23
Q

BI: What 2 ways is being reductionist a criticism of the biological approach?

A

1) Believes complex behaviour can be broken down into the action of genes, neurochemicals & hormones (e.g. mental disorders)
2) Doesn’t take other possible influences into account (Cultural, cognitive & emotional)

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24
Q

BI: What 2 ways is behaviours being passed on through genes & cultural practice a criticism of the biological approach?

A

1) Limited explanatory power
2) Many patterns of human behaviour have purely cultural origins with no obvious survival value (e.g. China selective abortions of girls & preference of sons)

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25
BI: What 2 ways are concerns of how genetic explanations of behaviour could be used a limitation of the biological approach?
1) Genetic screening & discrimination against those with a predisposition for criminality 2) Used as a convenient excuse for complicated behaviours (criminality)- link between genes & complex behaviour isn't straightforward
26
PS: What is the fundamental belief of the psychodynamic approach?
Behaviour (including mental disorders) arises from unconscious (psychological) drives that operate in the mind
27
PS: What does the psychodynamic suggest about 1) Individuals, 2) Childhood & 3) Mental disorders
1) Individuals are constantly changing as they develop 2) Emphasises importance of early childhood experiences (shapes personality) 3) Mental disorders can only be resolved through accessing the unconscious part of the mind & bringing repressed memories into conscious awareness (=Psychoanalysis)
28
PS: What are 2 roles of the unconscious?
1) Drives behaviour- can reveal themselves in different ways e.g. 'Freudian slips' & neuroses 2) Painful memories may be repressed in the unconscious to protect us but that creates anxiety which manifests itself in behaviour as a mental disorder
29
PS: What are the 3 structures of personality?
1) ID 2) Ego 3) Superego
30
PS: What is the id?
Innate & impulsive. 'Pleasure principle' that is selfish 7 contains basic instincts such as hunger & sex that requires immediate gratification
31
PS: What is the ego?
Reality principle. Balances demands of the id & superego, compromising between impulsive & selfish id demands & moral conscience of the superego
32
PS: What is the superego?
Opposite of id, develops age 4-5 through socialisation & parental guidance Our moral guide- tells us what is right & wrong Gives us feelings of guilt & conscience
33
PS: What are defence mechanisms?
Unconscious- triggered by ego when mediating between id & superego e.g. not coping with stress or a trauma
34
PS: What are 3 defence mechanisms?
1) Repression 2) Denial 3) Displacement
35
PS: What is repression?
An unconscious mechanism employed by the ego to keep disturbing or threatening thoughts from becoming conscious
36
PS: What is denial?
Involves blocking external events from awareness- if a situation is too much to handle the person refuses to experience it (e.g. smokers refusing to admit smoking is bad for their health)
37
PS: What is displacement?
Satisfying an impulse with a substitute object ( e.g. frustrated at work so kicks dog at home)
38
PS: What are the 5 psychosexual stages of development?
1) Oral 2) Anal 3) Phallic 4) Latency 5) Genital
39
PS: When and what adult traits are associated with problems at the oral psychosexual stage?
Birth to 1 year Optimism, dependency & aggression.
40
PS: When and what adult traits are associated with problems at the anal psychosexual stage?
1 year to 3 years Excessive cleanliness, rebelliousness & destructiveness
41
PS: When and what adult traits are associated with problems at the phallic psychosexual stage?
3-5 or 6 years Flirtatiousness, vanity & pride
42
PS: When is the latency psychosexual stage?
5 or 6 years to puberty
43
PS; When is the genital psychosexual stage?
Puberty onwards
44
PS: What does happens if there is a problem/trauma at a psychosexual stage?
We become "fixated" at this stage and are unable to resolve it, so show traits as adults associated with that stage
45
PS: What are 3 supports of the psychodynamic approach?
1) A pioneering approach 2) Scientific support 3) A comprehensive theory
46
PS; How is it being a pioneering approach a strength of the psychodynamic approach?
First of its kind compared to introspection, started a change in psychological thinking. Psychological explanation, not biological- potential for psychodynamic treatment
47
PS: What scientific support is there for the psychodynamic approach?
Fisher & Greenberg summarised 2500 studies, concluding that experimental studies of psychoanalysis compare well with studies of other major areas in psychology- Increases scientific credibility to theory of defence mechanisms
48
PS: How is the psychodynamic approach a comprehensive theory?
Can be used to understand other aspects of behaviour Can apply psychoanalytic concepts to many aspects of life & understand the minds of others
49
PS: What are 3 criticisms of the psychodynamic approach?
1) Gender bias 2) Culture bias 3) Lack of scientific evidence
50
PS: How is gender bias a criticism of the psychodynamic approach?
Freud largely ignored the female sexuality Considered females to be less morally developed than males Freud treated many female patients so wasn't encouraged to develop his theory of female sexuality
51
PS: How is culture bias a criticism of the psychodynamic approach?
It isn't relevant to non-western cultures as some cultures don't believe traumatic memories become locked in the unconscious & believe they should be avoided
52
PS: How is a lack of scientific evidence a criticism of the psychodynamic approach?
Not testable or falsifiable- hard to prove the existence of the unconscious
53
H: What is the fundamental belief of the humanistic approach?
We can all exercise 'free will' over our destiny and achieve self-actualisation, given appropriate conditions (e.g. unconditional positive regard)
54
H: What is free will?
The ability to choose your own path in life, within the constraints imposed by other forces e.g. biological
55
H: What is self actualisation?
H: Achieving full potential after achieving other needs & having an accurate perception of reality- highest need in M's hierarchy
56
H; What is the hierarchy of needs?
Considers the process of growth & fulfillment from basic needs (food & shelter) to ultimate self actualisation
57
H: What is congruence?
Exists when there is a match between our perceived self & our actual self (no match=incongruence)
58
H: What is focus on self?
How we perceive ourselves as a person - 2 basic needs= positive regard from others & self worth
59
H: What are Rogers' conditions of worth?
Caused by conditional love & conditional acceptance- Conditions they perceive significant others put on them that they need to meet to be loved/accepted, which can lead to mental disorders e.g. depression
60
H: What is the order of Maslow's hierarchy of needs (bottom to top)?
1) Physiological 2) Safety 3) Love/belonging 4) Esteem 5) Self-actualisation
61
H: What does physiological needs consist of?
Breathing, food, water, sex & sleep
62
H: What does the safety needs consist of?
Security of body, employment, family, health.
63
H: What does the love and belonging needs consist of?
Friendship, family & sexual intimacy
64
H: What do the esteem needs consist of?
Self-esteem, confidence, achievement & respect to and by others
65
H: What do the self-actualisation needs consist of?
Morality, creativity, lack of prejudice, acceptance of facts
66
H: What does a humanistic counsellor do?
provides empathy & unconditioned positive regard- non-judgmental client lead therapy
67
H: What is the aim of a humanistic counsellor?
Allow the person to be their authentic & true self- follow their own path (free will)
68
H: What are 3 strengths of the humanistic approach?
1) Relevance of hierarchy of needs to economic development 2) Research support for conditions of worth 3) People who had humanistic counselling show signs of positive outcomes & effectiveness of approach
69
H: Explain relevance of hierarchy of needs of economic development as a strength of the humanistic approach
Hagerty 1999- 88 countries over 34 years found: Underdeveloped countries= lower level needs e.g. food & water Developed countries= higher level needs e.g. self-actualisation
70
H: Explain Harter's research support for conditions of worth as a strength of the humanistic approach
Harter 1996- Teenagers who felt they needed to fulfill conditions to gain their parents' approval frequently ended up disliking themselves
71
H: Explain Roger's support for conditions of worth as a strength of the humanistic approach
Rogers- Individuals who experience conditional positive regard are likely to display more 'false self behaviour' (doing things to meet expectations despite clashing with personal views)
72
H: What 2 people provide support for the conditions of worth?
1) Harter 2) Rogers
73
H: What are 4 criticisms of the humanistic approach?
1) Lack of experimental evidence for effectiveness of therapy 2) Unrealistic 3) Lacks temporal validity 4) Lacks cultural validity
74
H: Explain a lack of experimental evidence for effectiveness of therapy as a criticism of the humanistic approach
Cannot establish causality or evaluate it scientifically
75
H: Explain unrealistic as a criticism of the humanistic approach
Overly idealised & unrealistic view of human nature- people aren't as inherently good as suggested- doesn't recognise people's capacity for pessimism
76
H: Explain lacking temporal validity as a criticism of the humanistic approach
It encourages people to focus on self-development rather than situational forces isn't realistic or appropriate in modern society (Maslow's hierarchy=1940's)
77
H: Explain lacking cultural validity as a criticism of the humanistic approach
There are cultural differences in the hierarchy needs- different order or different needs- e.g. China idealises belongingness more
78
What is psychoanalysis?
A method of treating mental disorders, shaped by psychoanalytic theory, which emphasises unconscious mental processes

A-Level Psychology Year 1 (13 decks)

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