Approaches - Paper 2 Flashcards
What is introspection?
The examination or observation of ones own mental and emotional processes
Who is Wundt?
Father of psychology
Aim was to examine the structure of the mind
What was Wundts approach?
Structuralism
What was Wundts technique?
Introspection
Break consciousness in thoughts, images and sensations
What were the 2 major assumptions that introspection were based on?
- All behaviour is seen as being caused by
- If behaviour determined, be possible to predict how human being would behave in different conditions
What were the 2 main weaknesses of Wundt’s technique
Unreliable - non observable response
Not accurate - lacks validity
What are the 4 goals of psychology?
Description
Explanation
Prediction
Change
What did Watson do?
Introspection, subjective
Behaviourist dominate
Cognitive studies mental processes
Scientifically
What is the strengths of origins of psychology
Aspects scientific
Contribution - set foundation
Modern research scientific
What are the weaknesses of origins of psychology
Aspects subjective
Can’t be applied to children or people with learning difficulties
The behaviourist approach focuses on…
Observable behaviour
Controlled lab studies
Processes that govern behaviour
What is classical conditioning
Learning though association
Explain Pavlov’s research
Conditioned dogs to salivate when a bell rings
NS + UCS. CS -> CR
What is operant conditioning
Learn through punishment
Outline Skinners research
Rat activate lever, rewarded with food
Desirable consequence = repetition
Avoid electric shock by not pushing button
What is positive reinforcement?
Receiving rewards
What is negative reinforcement
Avoiding something unpleasant
What is punishment
Unpleasant consequence of behaviour
Evaluate the behaviourist approach
+ uses well controlled research
+ real world application - token economy
- environmental determinism - ignore free will
- ethical issues - harm to animals
What is social learning theory
Learning that occurs indirectly
Experience, observation, imitation
What is vicarious reinforcement?
Learning related to consequences of behaviour
What is the mediational process
- Attention
- Retention
- Motor reproduction
- Motivation
ARMM
What is identification of role models
Role model similar and higher status
Someone looked up to
What did Bandura et al do?
Observe adult
Bobo doll experiment
Initiate acts if observed the same - more likely if rewarded
Evaluation of social learning theory
+ real world application
+ show some free will
- ignore biological factors
- lab studies
The cognitive approach
The scientific study of mental processes
Mental processes are private, cannot be observed and studies through inference