Approaches Key Words And Concepts

Question 1

Stimulus

Answer 1

An event that causes a response

Question 2

Response

Answer 2

An action made because a stimulus has been detected

Question 3

Conditioned

Answer 3

Learned

Question 4

Introspection

Answer 4

A research method involving observing ones own thought processes, often with the aid of metronome

Question 5

Empiricism

Answer 5

A scientific approach to research, relying on gaining actual observations and evidence

Question 6

Behavioural approach

Answer 6

Believes that all behaviour is learnt and that we are born with a blank slate

Question 7

Social learning theory

Answer 7

Believes that behaviour is learnt from society/individuals. Imitation after modelling and mediational processes

Question 8

Cognitive approach

Answer 8

Focused on how our mental processes affect behaviour, believe that thinking causes behaviour. Believes that the mind activity processes info from our senses (touch, taste)

Question 9

Biological approach

Answer 9

Believes all our behaviour is rooted for our biological structure and that everything psychological has a biological basis, e.g. genes, brain structure and neurochemistry

Question 10

Psychodynamic approach

Answer 10

Believes that behaviour is influenced by early childhood experiences particularly that behaviour is motivated by 2 instincts- sex and life

Question 11

Humanistic approach

Answer 11

Approach that views mental health to be related to free will and self-determination

Question 12

Classical conditioning

Answer 12

Behaviourist theory which says that humans and animals learn new behaviours by the process of association

Question 13

Operant conditioning

Answer 13

A form of learning in which behaviour is shaped and maintained by its consequences. Possible consequences of behaviour include positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement and punishment

Question 14

Extinction

Answer 14

When a conditioned pairing decays over time

Question 15

Mediational processes

Answer 15

Cognitive factors that influence learning a behaviour and come between stimulus and response. For modelling to occur there must be attention, retention, motor reproduction, motivation

Question 16

Attention

Answer 16

Noticing certain behaviours

Question 17

Retention

Answer 17

Remembering the behaviour

Question 18

Motor reproduction

Answer 18

Whether the behaviour is physically possible to carry out

Question 19

Motivation

Answer 19

There has to be a reason to want to copy their behaviour

Question 20

Vicarious reinforcement

Answer 20

Not directly experienced but occurs through observing someone else being reinforced for their behaviour

Question 21

Positive reinforcement

Answer 21

A pleasant event that increases the likelihood of us carrying out a behaviour

Question 22

Negative reinforcement

Answer 22

A negative event that increases the likelihood of us carrying it a behaviour - in order to avoid the unpleasant event

Question 23

Self-efficacy

Answer 23

Your belief in order to carry out a behaviour

Question 24

Schema

Answer 24

A mental shortcut of beliefs and expectations developed from experience

Question 25

Computational model

Answer 25

Cognitive psychology uses conceptual models to explain how the mind works e.g. the multi store model and allows psychologists to predict when they do testing and experiments

Question 26

Cognitive neuroscience

Answer 26

The scientific study of biological structures that underpin cognitive processes

Question 27

Genotype

Answer 27

Particular set of genes that a person possesses

Question 28

Phenotype

Answer 28

Characteristics of an individual determined by both genes and the environment

Question 29

Concordance rates

Answer 29

A test of phenotypal similarity between individuals, based on genotypal similarity

Question 30

Id

Answer 30

Primitive part of the personality that operates on the pleasure principle, demands instant gratification. We are born with this

Question 31

Ego

Answer 31

Works on the reality principle. This aspect of the mind mediates between the id and superego

Question 32

Superego

Answer 32

Internalised sense of right and wrong, based on the morality principle. Punishes the ego through guilt

Question 33

Defence mechanism

Answer 33

Unconscious strategies such as repression, denial and displacement

Question 34

Psychosexual stages

Answer 34

According to Freud, 5 developmental stages that all children pass through. At most stages there is a specific conflict, the outcome of which determines future development

Question 35

Self-actualisation

Answer 35

The desire to grow psychologically and fulfil ones full potential - becoming what you are capable of

Question 36

Psychoanalysis

Answer 36

A form of treatment developed from the psychodynamic approach

Question 37

Unconditional positive regard

Answer 37

A technique used by humanistic therapists, whereby they respect the patients choices and right to self-determination

Question 38

Client centred therapy

Answer 38

Humanistic approach to therapy - focus is on the patient, and a sense of warmth and understanding

Question 39

Maslows hierarchy of needs

Answer 39

A 5-levelled hierarchical sequence in which basic needs (e.g. hunger) must be satisfied before higher psychological needs e.g. self actualisation can be achieved

Question 40

Congruence

Answer 40

When your ideal self matches up to your real self