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A-Level Psychology Year 1 > Approaches in Psychology (Origins, Behaviourist, SLT, Cognitive)- TB > Flashcards

Approaches in Psychology (Origins, Behaviourist, SLT, Cognitive)- TB Flashcards

1
Q

O: What is knowledge?

A

Information that we already have or can gain

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2
Q

O:What is evidence?

A

Proof that supports or criticises a hypothesis or knowledge

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3
Q

O: What was Wilhelm Wundt’s aim?

A

To study the structure of the mind by breaking down behaviour to basic elements (Structuralism) by using introspection

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4
Q

O: What is empricism?

A

A belief that knowledge is gained through experience

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5
Q

O: What is introspection?

A

The process by which a person gains knowledge about their own emotional state by noting conscious thoughts & feelings

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6
Q

O: What is scientific method?

A

Refers to use of investigative methods that are objective, systematic & replicable

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7
Q

O: What is structuralism?

A

Breaking down behaviour into its basic elements

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8
Q

O: How did Wundt formulate general theories of human perception?

A

Using introspection and training their mental processes

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9
Q

O: What 3 things does the scientific method refer to investigations as being?

A

1) Objective
2) Systematic
3) Replicable

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10
Q

O: What are two assumptions that the scientific approach is made on?

A

1) Determinism- all behaviour has a cause
2) Predictability- it is possible to predict behaviour in different conditions

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11
Q

O: What is an objective investigation?

A

Researchers don’t let preconcieved data or biases influence the collection of their data

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12
Q

O: What is a systematic investigation?

A

Observations or experiments are carried out in an orderly way

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13
Q

O: What is a replicable investigation?

A

Observations can be repeated by other researchers to determine whether the same results are obtained- helping reliability

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14
Q

O: What are 2 criticisms of Wundt’s research?

A

1) Not reliably reproduced by other researchers
2) Relied on non-observable responses e.g. memory

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15
Q

O: How do Nisbett & Wilson (1977) challenge introspective reports?

A

They claim we have very little knowledge of the causes of and process underlying our behaviour & attitudes- so people are unaware of what’s influencing them

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16
Q

O: When was Nisbett & Wilson’s study and what did it do?

A

1977- challenged introspective reports

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17
Q

O: What are 2 strengths of the origins of psychology & Wundt’s work?

A

1) Can establish cause & effect due to control over variables in lab studies
2) Still useful today e.g. Csekszentmihalyi & Hunter (2003)- able to understand momentary situations that make people happy

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18
Q

O: What are 3 limitations of the origins of psychology & Wundt’s work?

A

1) Unreliable & inconsistent
2) Artificial lab experiments- lacks ecological validity and can’t be generalised
3) Nisbett & Wilson (1977)- challenged introspective reports

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19
Q

B: What is the behaviourist approach?

A

The belief that all behaviour is learned via classical or operant conditioning

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20
Q

B: What is the behaviourist approach referred to as?

A

Learning theory

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21
Q

B: What is most research on learning theory carried out as?

A

Lab experiments

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22
Q

B: What did Pavlov discover and when?

A

The process of classical conditioning-1927

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23
Q

B: What is the natural stimulus?

A

The unconditioned stimulus (UCS)

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24
Q

B: What was the UCS in Pavlov’s experiment?

A

Food

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25
Q

B: What is the natural response to the UCS?

A

Unconditioned response (UCR)

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26
Q

B: What was the UCR in Pavlov’s experiment?

A

Salivation

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27
Q

B: What is the acquisition phase?

A

Where the neutral stimulus (NS) is presented shortly before the UCS and they are paired after a while

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28
Q

B: What is the neutral stimulus (NS) and what was it is Pavlov’s experiment?

A

A stimulus that doesn’t elicit the UCR- A bell

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29
Q

B: What does the NS become and when?

A

The conditioned stimulus (CS)- when the NS produces the same response in absence of the UCS

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30
Q

B: What response does the CS cause, and what were they in Pavlov’s experiment?

A

Conditioned response (CR)- CS= bell, CR= salivation

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31
Q

B: What are 4 important features of classical conditioning?

A

1) Timing
2) Extinction
3) Spontaneous recovery
4) Stimulus generalisation

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32
Q

B: Why is timing an important factor of classical conditioning?

A

If the NS cannot be used to predict the UCS (time interval too large) then conditioning doesn’t occur

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33
Q

B: Why is extinction an important factor of classical conditioning?

A

The CR doesn’t become permanently established as a response- so after a while of the CS being in absence of the UCS it loses its ability to present the CR

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34
Q

B: Why is spontaneous recovery an important factor of classical conditioning?

A

Following extinction, if the CS & UCS are paired again the link is made more quickly

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35
Q

B: Why is stimulus generalisation an important factor of classical conditioning?

A

Once an animal has been conditioned, they will also respond to other stimuli that are similar to the CS

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35
Q

B: What are 3 key aspects of the behaviorist approach?

A

1) Rejected introspection as vague
2) Focus is on observable behaviour only
3) Assumes learning follows the same principles in all species

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36
Q

B: What is classical conditioning?

A

Learning through association- involving an innate reflex response

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37
Q

B: What is operant conditioning?

A

Learning through reinforcement - shaping behaviour through consequences

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38
Q

B: What is positive reinforcement?

A

Adding a pleasant consequence to a behaviour- increasing the likelihood of it occurring

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39
Q

B: What is negative reinforcement?

A

Taking away something unpleasant- increasing the likelihood of it occurring

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40
Q

B: What is punishment?

A

An unpleasant consequence to a behaviour- decreasing the likelihood of it occurring

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41
Q

B: What is positive punishment?

A

Adding an unpleasant consequence- decreasing the likelihood of it occurring

42
Q

B: What is negative punishment?

A

Taking away something pleasant

43
Q

B: What is reinforcement?

A

A positive consequence to a behaviour- increasing the likelihood of it occurring

44
Q

B: What did Skinner do?

A

Discovered operant conditioning

45
Q

B: What are 2 strengths of the behaviourist approach?

A

1) Systematic desensitisation
2) Research (Skinner) used experimental methods

46
Q

B: What is systematic desensitisation?

A

A therapy based on classical conditioning- eliminates anxious responses with relaxing ones, effective on phobias

47
Q

B: How is systematic desensitisation a strength of classical conditioning?

A

Real world application- reduces anxiety

48
Q

B: Why is Skinner’s experimental method a strength of his research into the behaviourist approach?

A

Controlled variables, could establish a cause & effect relationship between consequences of behaviour and future frequency of its occurrance

49
Q

B: What are 3 limitations of the behaviourist approach?

A

1) Seligman’s preparedness hypothesis
2) Limited approach
3) Research based on animal studies

50
Q

B: Why is Seligman’s preparedness hypothesis a limitation of the behaviourist approach?

A

Suggests CC is only appropriate for some learning

51
Q

B: What is Seligman’s preparedness hypothesis?

A

Animals are prepared to learn associations significant to survival needs, not prepared to learn associations insignificant to survival needs

52
Q

B: Why is the behaviourist approach argued as being limited?

A

Ignore other levels of explanations e.g. those that emphasise importance of cognitive factors (schema) or emotional states

53
Q

B: What did Skinner argue about the criticism that the behaviourist approach is limited?

A

That cognitive factors and emotional states are untestable scientifically

54
Q

B: Why is research (Skinner) being based on animal studies a limitation of the behaviourist approach?

A

Skinner’s findings can’t be generalised for human behaviour as humans have free will rather than our behaviour being determined by + or - reinforcement like other animals- over reliance on non-human animals

55
Q

B: How did Skinner respond to the criticism about his animal studies?

A

Suggested free will is an illusion- behaviours are a product of external influences that guide our behaviour on a daily basis

56
Q

SLT: What is social learning theory?

A

The modern behaviourist approach to explaining behaviour- acknowledges operant & classical but also allows for cognitive processes in learning (learning through observation of of others and imitating rewarded behaviours)

57
Q

SLT: What does social learning theory allow that the other behaviourist approach doesn’t? e.g.

A

Cognitive processes e.g. observation & imitation of others

58
Q

SLT: What is the key study of social learning theory?

A

Bandura et al (1961)

59
Q

SLT: What were 3 key points of Bandura et al’s (1961) procedure?

A

1) Included children who observed aggressive or non-aggressive adult models- aggressive would hit & verbal aggression to bobo doll
2) Children shown toys they can’t play with- frustration
3) Taken into a room with toys & boo doll & tested children for imitative learning in absence of the model

60
Q

SLT: What were Bandura et al’s (1961) findings?

A

1/3 of aggressive viewers showed verbal aggression and most reproduced physical aggression too
0% of non-aggressive viewers showed verbal aggression
Follow up- Bandura & Walters found more aggression if children viewed a reward for aggression (vicarious reinforcement)

61
Q

SLT: What was the fundamental belief of the social learning theory approach?

A

As well as learning through direct experience, we learn through observation & imitation of a behaviour too

62
Q

SLT: What is modelling?

A

A form of learning in which a person (model) performs a behaviour & another individual observes them

63
Q

SLT: What do mediational processes do?

A

Enable the observer to store mental representations of a behaviour & its probable consequences (expectations & future outcomes)- occurs during observation

64
Q

SLT: What is imitation?

A

Process of copying an observed behaviour- more likely if identification takes place

65
Q

SLT: What does identification do?

A

Increases likelihood of imitation

66
Q

SLT: What is vicarious reinforcement?

A

Increased likelihood of imitation of aggressive behaviour if the observer observes a reward for a behaviour than observers who saw the same behaviour punished

67
Q

SLT: What are the 4 mediational processes?

A

1) Attention
2) Retention
3) Motivation
4) Motor reproductions

68
Q

SLT: Which 2 mediational processes occur when learning?

A

1) Attention
2) Retention

69
Q

SLT: Which 2 mediational processes occur during performance?

A

1) Motivation
2) Motor reproductions

70
Q

SLT: What is attention (mediational process)?

A

Paying attention/ observing the model

71
Q

SLT: What is retention (mediational process)?

A

Trying to retain information observed

72
Q

SLT: What is motivation (mediational process)?

A

Why are they doing it?- End goal

73
Q

SLT: What is motor reproduction (mediational process)?

A

Can they do it/ have the ability to do it

74
Q

SLT: What are 3 strengths of social learning theory & explain briefly?

A

1) Real world application- criminals more likely if exposed to criminal models
2) Research support- Bandura, Fox- similar models ↑ imitation- identification
3) Importance of identification- very important

75
Q

SLT: What are 2 limitations of social learning theory & explain briefly?

A

1) Problem establishing causality- deviant attitude before contact with peers caused delinquency- not peer contact itself
2) Ignores other influences- disregards other influences on behaviour, difficult to show one particular thing (social learning) is the main causal influence

76
Q

SLT: What research method does SLT use?

A

Experimental method

77
Q

SLT: What does SLT allow for?

A

Free will & cognitive processes

78
Q

SLT: What is SLT based on?

A

Nurture

79
Q

SLT: Explain real world application as a strength of SLT

A

Increases understanding of human behaviour, as criminals were more likely to be criminals when exposed to criminals- vicarious reinforcement for criminal behaviour- money=reward

80
Q

SLT; Explain research support as a strength of SLT

A

Fox & Bailenson (2009) generated virtual humans- either exercising or loitering, some looked like participants, others didn’t- found more people exercised, and higher identification increased learning SUPPORTS IDENTIFICATION

81
Q

SLT: Explain importance of identification as a strength of SLT

A

Real world application too- health campaigns matched models to target audience, message more effective if identification is possible- SUPPORTS IDENTIFICATION

82
Q

SLT: What are 2 criticisms of Bandura et al’s research?

A

1) Demand characteristics
2) Low ecological validity

83
Q

SLT: Explain problem of establishing causality as a limitation of SLT

A

Siegel & McCormick (2006) suggest people are innately deviant, and seek out peers with similar attitudes- so they possessed the deviant attitudes before contact with deviant peers

84
Q

SLT: Explain ignoring other influences as a limitation of SLT

A

It disregards other potential influences & is difficult to show 1 particular thing (social learning) is the main causal influence as other influences (biological factors- mirror neurons) may affect it

85
Q

C: What is the fundamental belief of the cognitive approach?

A

Behaviour is the result of internal mental processes that operate together e.g. schemas

86
Q

C: What 4 areas does the cognitive approach include?

A

1) Memory
2) Perception
3) Problem solving
4) Thinking

87
Q

C: What does the cognitive approach consider and refer to?

A

Internal mental processes & the information processing model

88
Q

C: What do the explanations of the cognitive approach include?

A

The use of computer metaphors e.g. encoding, retrieval & storage

89
Q

C: What method does the cognitive approach use?

A

Experimental methods

90
Q

C: What is a schema?

A

A framework in the brain that organises and interprets information, excluding things that don’t conform to established ideas as well as filling in gaps where information is missing- forming stereotypes

91
Q

C: What are theoretical models (cognitive approach)?

A

Tools for explaining the implications of ideas, powerful ways of generating & testing hypotheses about mind & behaviour based on research

92
Q

C; What are computer models (cognitive approach)?

A

Metaphor/analogies to understand & model the way the mind works & how sensory information is encoded

93
Q

C: What are computer programs & simulations used for (cognitive approach)?

A

Testing theories of cognition

94
Q

C: What is involved in the study of cognitive neuroscience?

A

Studying brain structures involved in mental processing through mental imaging techniques- showing what part of the brain are active & involved in specific circumstances

95
Q

C: What techniques are used to study which part of the brain are active?

A

PET & MRI scans

96
Q

C: What are 2 strengths of the cognitive approach to psychology?

A

1) It has many applications
2) It has a scientific approach

97
Q

C: How is it having many applications a strength of the cognitive approach?

A

Used in other areas of psychology (Social and Psychopathology) leading to successful treatment of disorders (OCD) using cognitive based interventions

98
Q

C: What 2 areas of psychology has the cognitive approach be applied & how?

A

1) Social- understand how we interpret others’ actions & form impressions
2) Psychopathology- how much of dysfunctional behaviour can be traced to faulty thinking processes

99
Q

C: How is it having a scientific approach a strength of the cognitive approach?

A

Experimental methods provide researchers with a rigorous method for collecting & evaluating evidence & reaching accurate conclusions on how the mind works, rather than based on introspection which is misleading

100
Q

C: What are 3 limitations of the cognitive approach?

A

1) Computer models have limited explanatory powers
2) Ignores the role of emotion & motivated
3) Lacks ecological validity

101
Q

C: How is computer models having limited explanatory powers a limitations of the cognitive approach?

A

Humans make mistakes & forget information- computers don’t & so limits the appropriateness of explaining human thought & behaviour using computer models

102
Q

C: Explain ignoring the role of emotion & motivation as a limitation of the cognitive approach

A

Explained by over-dependence on information processing analogies as computers don’t need motivation

103
Q

C; How does the cognitive approach lack ecological validity (limitation)?

A

Tasks that have little in common with participants in common with participants natural everyday experiences (Artificial) are used and findings cannot be generalised to real life situations

A-Level Psychology Year 1 (13 decks)

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