Approaches & Perspectives Flashcards
Describe how the developmental approach could explain aggression.
- Aggression can be explained by the social learning theory proposed by Bandura, which states that all behaviours are learned through observing role models.
- For example, a person might observe a role model behaving in an aggressive way and then see the model be praised for their actions. This causes the person to be vicariously reinforced to think being aggressive is a positive behaviour and leads to them imitating them. If others then praise them for being aggressive, it will lead to an increase in their self-efficacy for this behaviour.
- Bandura showed aggression developing out of observational learning in his study where children who witnessed an aggressive model imitated them when given the chance, both physically (hitting the bobo doll on the head) and verbally (saying ‘pow’ etc).
Give two strengths of the developmental approach.
One strength of the developmental approach is that it allows us to see how behaviour develop over time and changes with age. For example, Samuel & Bryant’s study suggests development taking place with their results showing older children (in the concrete operational stage) making less mistakes on the conservations tasks compared with younger children (in the pre-operational stage). Therefore the developmental approach helps us identify patterns of normal development, enabling us to spot any abnormalities in children’s development as they mature from an early age, such as with cognitive or emotional development.
One strength of the developmental approach is that as developmental theories are often tested under controlled lab conditions, confounding variables that could influence development are controlled. For example, Bandura ensured children were matched on their pre-existing levels of aggression so that any differences in aggressive behaviour seen between the children was caused by the independent variable (the role model) rather than their natural pre-disposed levels of aggression. This means we can isolate the variables which are causing development to be affected and better predict development of behaviours with more accuracy.
Give a similarity between the Maguire study and the Dement & Kleitman study in the physiological approach.
Both use specialised tech
- M: MRI scan to measure volume of grey matter in pt’s hippocampus to compare between taxi drivers and non.t.d
- D&K: EEG machine to measure levels of electrical activity in pt’s brains and evaluate stage of sleep
Explain how use of sophisticated equipment is a weakness of the physiological approach (using P.E.C).
A weakness of the physiological approach is that due to the use of sophisticated equipment on participants, it is often hard to test large samples in research to support physiological theories. For example, Dement & Kleitman’s research, which used an EEG machine, only tested 9 participants for electrical activity during sleep, and in Maguire’s study only 16 taxi drivers were used owing to the use of MRI scans measuring volume of grey matter in the hippocampus. This is a weakness as not only are such equipments time-consuming and expensive, but it is difficult to suggest physiological processes will affect other people’s behaviour in the same way due to unrepresentative samples, so results cannot be generalised. This limits the usefulness and applications of physiological psychology.
Explain how useful applications are a strength of the social approach (using P.E.C).
One strength of the social approach is that it has provided many useful insights to help us understand the power of different situations. For example, Milgram’s research showed how obedience can be influenced by presence of authority figures, which could help to explain the atrocities that occurred during the second world war and the Holocaust. Such research is useful to allow us to prevent future atrocities by informing leaders of the effects their power can have and how to monitor this power.
Give a similarity between two cognitive studies.
Baron-Cohen and Loftus & Palmer are both criticised for lacking ecological validity
- Baron-Cohen: in real life we judge mental states by looking at whole, moving faces rather than still photo of set of eyes
- Loftus & Palmer: in real life we are not forewarned that an accident will happen rather than being told in advance as in this study
Discuss strengths and weaknesses of the physiological approach.
One strength of the physiological approach is that it uses sophisticated equipment and specialised technology to gather data in a way that leaves less room for human error. For Example, in Dement & Kleitman’s study, an EEG machine was used to record brain activity and evaluate the stage of sleep that participants were in, rather than this being evaluated by human’s visual observation with the eyes. Due to the specialised technology or EEG machines, it meant results were more reliable as the machine would measure brain activity in exactly the same way each time.
One strength of the physiological approach is that it provides useful insights and applications, such as drug therapy, to help those suffering from physical brain trauma. For example, Maguire’s research incorporates the concept of brain plasticity and flexibility, showing that experiences can have an effect on the structure of our brains. We can therefore suggest that when parts of the brain become damaged, we could expose people to certain experiences in order for the brain to re-programme itself or allow processing of information that may have been previously lost.
A weakness of the physiological approach is that due to the use of sophisticated equipment on participants, it is often hard to test large samples in research to support physiological theories. For example, Dement & Kleitman’s research, which used an EEG machine, only tested 9 participants for electrical activity during sleep, and in Maguire’s study only 16 taxi drivers were used owing to the use of MRI scans measuring volume of grey matter in the hippocampus. This is a weakness as not only are such equipments time-consuming and expensive, but it is difficult to suggest physiological processes will affect other people’s behaviour in the same way due to unrepresentative samples, so results cannot be generalised. This limits the usefulness and applications of physiological psychology.
A weakness of the physiological approach is that it is based on lab experiments, so the approach can lack ecological validity as we are not testing the affect of physiological attributes in real life. For example, participants in Dement & Kleitman’s study were not allowed to consume stimulants such as alcohol or caffeine on the day of experimentation and had to sleep with electrodes attached to their heads for the EEG machine, all of which is unlikely to be part of their usual routines in day-to-day life. This is a weakness because we cannot generalise our results to suggest physiological processes affect our behaviour in real life situations.
A weakness of the physiological approach is that it is reductionist in that it ignores the possible influence of other psychological approaches, such as social or nurture, and assumes behaviour can only be the result of physiological attributes. For example, in Dement & Kleitman’s study, researchers would argue that stages of sleep and dreaming are defined by the brain’s electrical activity and eye movement in REM sleep. However, this ignores the possible influence of approaches such as the psychodynamic, whereby Freudian theory would argue that sleep and dreaming is based entirely around wish fulfilment and psychosexual desires. This is a weakness as it ignores how behaviour in real life can be affected by approaches other than the physiological, thus perhaps we need to be more holistic in our approach to psychology, incorporating other approach’s ideas and theories to gain a more valid and well-rounded view.
Give two strengths of the social approach.
One strength of the social approach is that it has provided many useful insights to help us understand the power of different situations. For example, Milgram’s research showed how obedience can be influenced by presence of authority figures, which could help to explain the atrocities that occurred during the second world war and the Holocaust. Such research is useful to allow us to prevent future atrocities by informing leaders of the effects their power can have and how to monitor this power.
One strength of the social approach is that as participants tend to be deceived in much of the research, there is a low risk of demand characteristics. For example, in Piliavin’s field experiment it is unlikely that the helping behaviours recorded were a form of demand characteristics because the train passengers were unaware of the observation taking place,meaning whether they helped or not and their comments were a true reflection of their natural behaviour. This allows us to measure the effects of social variables on behaviour in a valid way.
Give a similarity between Bandura’s study and the Samuel & Bryant study in the developmental approach.
Both collect quantitative data
- B: Counted how many imitated, partially imitated and non-imitated aggressive acts were displayed
- S&B: counted how many errors the children made on the conservation tasks out of 12
Give a difference between the Maguire study and the Dement & Kleitman study in the physiological approach.
collected different types of data
- M: quant. only through MRI
- D&K: both quant. (through counting stages of sleep) and qual. (through asking pts for dream descriptions)
Discuss strengths and weaknesses of the cognitive approach.
One strength of the cognitive approach is that it has provided insights into cognitive processes, having useful applications in helping us see how cognitions can influence behaviour. For example, in Loftus & Palmer’s research it was shown how memory can be easily manipulated by leading questions, whereby findings were collated into the Devlin report. This recommended that no-one should be convicted based on eye-witness testimony and the police should refrain from using leading questions in their answers.
One strength of the cognitive approach is that because cognitions are frequently tested under laboratory conditions, there is often control over confounding variables. For example, Baron-Cohen was able to control IQ from having an effect on theory of mind ability as he chose participants whose IQ was all in the normal range, meaning that differences in the Eyes Task could not be attributed to differences in IQ but down to being autistic. This means we can see which independent variables are affecting the cognitive process more precisely, allowing us to establish cause and effect.
A weakness of the cognitive approach is that as lab studies are used, there is a lack of ecological validity as cognitions are being tested in artificial situations. For example, in Loftus & Palmer, participants had to answer questions on a crash they had seen from a video clip rather than in real life, whereby realistically there would likely be more of an emotional involvement in the situtation, affecting testimonies potentially. This is a weakness because we cannot generalise results from such research to predict how cognitive processes are affected in real life.
A weakness of the cognitive approach is that it is reductionist in that it ignores the possible influence of other psychological approaches, such as physiological or behaviourist, and assumes behaviour can only be the result of cognitions. For example, in Baron-Cohen’s study, one result was that women displayed better theory of mind abilities than men, suggesting physiological factors must have a role in determining cognitions and how they influence behaviour. This is a weakness as it ignores how behaviour in real life can be affected by approaches other than cognitions, thus perhaps we need to be more holistic in our approach to psychology, incorporating other approach’s idea and theories to gain a more valid and well-rounded view.
A weakness of the cognitive approach is that cognitions are hypothetical constructs that cannot be seen, making them difficult and subjective to analyse. For example, the results from Savage-Rumbaugh’s study may suggest that Kanzi had a greater aptitude for language acquisition because he was able to identify the correct photograph when spoken to. However, this could be a result of stimulus-response, without a real understanding of language. Therefore it is very difficult to identify whether or not a cognition, such as language, is being measured, thus the validity of the cognitive approach can be questioned.
Explain how use of lab experiments is a weakness of the physiological approach (using P.E.C).
A weakness of the physiological approach is that it is based on lab experiments, so the approach can lack ecological validity as we are not testing the affect of physiological attributes in real life. For example, participants in Dement & Kleitman’s study were not allowed to consume stimulants such as alcohol or caffeine on the day of experimentation and had to sleep with electrodes attached to their heads for the EEG machine, all of which is unlikely to be part of their usual routines in day-to-day life. This is a weakness because we cannot generalise our results to suggest physiological processes affect our behaviour in real life situations.
Give three limitations of the cognitive approach.
A weakness of the cognitive approach is that as lab studies are used, there is a lack of ecological validity as cognitions are being tested in artificial situations. For example, in Loftus & Palmer, participants had to answer questions on a crash they had seen from a video clip rather than in real life, whereby realistically there would likely be more of an emotional involvement in the situtation, affecting testimonies potentially. This is a weakness because we cannot generalise results from such research to predict how cognitive processes are affected in real life.
A weakness of the cognitive approach is that it is reductionist in that it ignores the possible influence of other psychological approaches, such as physiological or behaviourist, and assumes behaviour can only be the result of cognitions. For example, in Baron-Cohen’s study, one result was that women displayed better theory of mind abilities than men, suggesting physiological factors must have a role in determining cognitions and how they influence behaviour. This is a weakness as it ignores how behaviour in real life can be affected by approaches other than cognitions, thus perhaps we need to be more holistic in our approach to psychology, incorporating other approach’s idea and theories to gain a more valid and well-rounded view.
A weakness of the cognitive approach is that cognitions are hypothetical constructs that cannot be seen, making them difficult and subjective to analyse. For example, the results from Savage-Rumbaugh’s study may suggest that Kanzi had a greater aptitude for language acquisition because he was able to identify the correct photograph when spoken to. However, this could be a result of stimulus-response, without a real understanding of language. Therefore it is very difficult to identify whether or not a cognition, such as language, is being measured, thus the validity of the cognitive approach can be questioned.
Give a similarity and a difference between two developmental studies.
Bandura and Samuel & Bryant both collect quantitative data
- B: Counted how many imitated, partially imitated and non-imitated aggressive acts were displayed
- S&B: counted how many errors the children made on the conservation tasks out of 12
Bandura and Freud used different methods
- B: Lab experiment (manipulated IV of exposure to aggressive/non model in controlled environment; matched on pre-existing levels of aggression)
- F: Case study producing qual. data
Discuss strengths and weaknesses of the social approach.
One strength of the social approach is that it has provided many useful insights to help us understand the power of different situations. For example, Milgram’s research showed how obedience can be influenced by presence of authority figures, which could help to explain the atrocities that occurred during the second world war and the Holocaust. Such research is useful to allow us to prevent future atrocities by informing leaders of the effects their power can have and how to monitor this power.
One strength of the social approach is that as participants tend to be deceived in much of the research, there is a low risk of demand characteristics. For example, in Piliavin’s field experiment it is unlikely that the helping behaviours recorded were a form of demand characteristics because the train passengers were unaware of the observation taking place,meaning whether they helped or not and their comments were a true reflection of their natural behaviour. This allows us to measure the effects of social variables on behaviour in a valid way.
A weakness of the social approach is that it is reductionist in that it ignores the possible influence of other psychological concepts, such as physiological approach or dispositional attributes, and assumes behaviour can only be the result of situational changes. For example, in Milgram, researchers would argue that because of the presence of the authoritative figure, participants went up to 450 volts on the shock generator. However, not all participants did so, thus suggesting disposition could possibly influence the levels of obedience, as individuals with a weaker will could be more susceptible to following the prods of the authoritative figure. This is a weakness as it ignores how behaviour in real life can be affected by approaches other than social, thus perhaps we need to be more holistic in our approach to psychology, incorporating other approach’s ideas and theories to gain a more valid and well-rounded view.
One weakness of the social approach is that as many social theories are tested under laboratory conditions, the approach lacks ecological validity. For example, in Reicher & Haslam’s study, the situation involved an artificial prison where violence was not allowed, prisoners could leave whenever they wanted and prisoners had the opportunity to be promoted to guard status, whereby in real life such features are not realistic of a legitimate prison. This is a weakness because such research is not testing how social theories and different situations affect behaviour in real life.
Give three limitations of the developmental approach.
One weakness of the developmental approach is that much of it’s research only looks at short-time behavioural developments through the use of snap-shot studies. For example, Bandura did not follow up the children in his research to test how long their raised aggression levels remained changed. They were tested and measured on the same day they had been exposed to the model, so we don’t know whether role models have a long-lasting effect on aggression. Developmental psychologists therefore need to conduct more longitudinal research, such as that by Freud, in order to see how behaviours develop over time.
One weakness of the developmental approach is that as much of its research is conducted under artificial lab conditions, results lack ecological validity. For example, the children in Bandura’s research may not have been as influenced by an aggressive role model in real life as there are consequences to being aggressive to another person, such as being punished for anti-social behaviour. This is a weakness as developmental psychologists cannot accurately predict how behaviour will change in develop in real life if it has been assessed under artificial conditions as other real life variables may affect development.
One weakness of the developmental approach is that ethical guidelines are often broken. In Bandura’s research, aggression was deliberately induced into the children with no consequences, meaning they were not protected from thinking aggression was bad, or even harming other children as a result of being involved in the study. Also, in Freud’s research, studying the development of phobias by getting Little Hans to talk about his dreams and fantasies could have been embarrassing for him, or could have negatively influenced the relationship between him and his father. However one may argue that sometimes ethics need to be broken to understand how behaviours truly develop - ‘the end justifies the means’.
Give three limitations of the physiological approach.
A weakness of the physiological approach is that due to the use of sophisticated equipment on participants, it is often hard to test large samples in research to support physiological theories. For example, Dement & Kleitman’s research, which used an EEG machine, only tested 9 participants for electrical activity during sleep, and in Maguire’s study only 16 taxi drivers were used owing to the use of MRI scans measuring volume of grey matter in the hippocampus. This is a weakness as not only are such equipments time-consuming and expensive, but it is difficult to suggest physiological processes will affect other people’s behaviour in the same way due to unrepresentative samples, so results cannot be generalised. This limits the usefulness and applications of physiological psychology.
A weakness of the physiological approach is that it is based on lab experiments, so the approach can lack ecological validity as we are not testing the affect of physiological attributes in real life. For example, participants in Dement & Kleitman’s study were not allowed to consume stimulants such as alcohol or caffeine on the day of experimentation and had to sleep with electrodes attached to their heads for the EEG machine, all of which is unlikely to be part of their usual routines in day-to-day life. This is a weakness because we cannot generalise our results to suggest physiological processes affect our behaviour in real life situations.
A weakness of the physiological approach is that it is reductionist in that it ignores the possible influence of other psychological approaches, such as social or nurture, and assumes behaviour can only be the result of physiological attributes. For example, in Dement & Kleitman’s study, researchers would argue that stages of sleep and dreaming are defined by the brain’s electrical activity and eye movement in REM sleep. However, this ignores the possible influence of approaches such as the psychodynamic, whereby Freudian theory would argue that sleep and dreaming is based entirely around wish fulfilment and psychosexual desires. This is a weakness as it ignores how behaviour in real life can be affected by approaches other than the physiological, thus perhaps we need to be more holistic in our approach to psychology, incorporating other approach’s ideas and theories to gain a more valid and well-rounded view.
Give a difference between two physiological studies.
Maguire and Dement & Kleitman collected different types of data
- M: quant. only through MRI
- D&K: both quant. (through counting stages of sleep) and qual. (through asking pts for dream descriptions)
Explain how hypothetical constructs are a weakness of the cognitive approach (using P.E.C).
A weakness of the cognitive approach is that cognitions are hypothetical constructs that cannot be seen, making them difficult and subjective to analyse. For example, the results from Savage-Rumbaugh’s study may suggest that Kanzi had a greater aptitude for language acquisition because he was able to identify the correct photograph when spoken to. However, this could be a result of stimulus-response, without a real understanding of language. Therefore it is very difficult to identify whether or not a cognition, such as language, is being measured, thus the validity of the cognitive approach can be questioned.
Explain how reductionism is a limitation of the social approach (using P.E.C).
A weakness of the social approach is that it is reductionist in that it ignores the possible influence of other psychological concepts, such as physiological approach or dispositional attributes, and assumes behaviour can only be the result of situational changes. For example, in Milgram, researchers would argue that because of the presence of the authoritative figure, participants went up to 450 volts on the shock generator. However, not all participants did so, thus suggesting disposition could possibly influence the levels of obedience, as individuals with a weaker will could be more susceptible to following the prods of the authoritative figure. This is a weakness as it ignores how behaviour in real life can be affected by approaches other than social, thus perhaps we need to be more holistic in our approach to psychology, incorporating other approach’s ideas and theories to gain a more valid and well-rounded view.
Explain how lack of ecological validity is a weakness of the cognitive approach (using P.E.C).
A weakness of the cognitive approach is that as lab studies are used, there is a lack of ecological validity as cognitions are being tested in artificial situations. For example, in Loftus & Palmer, participants had to answer questions on a crash they had seen from a video clip rather than in real life, whereby realistically there would likely be more of an emotional involvement in the situtation, affecting testimonies potentially. This is a weakness because we cannot generalise results from such research to predict how cognitive processes are affected in real life.
Give two strengths and two limitations of the cognitive approach.
One strength of the cognitive approach is that it has provided insights into cognitive processes, having useful applications in helping us see how cognitions can influence behaviour. For example, in Loftus & Palmer’s research it was shown how memory can be easily manipulated by leading questions, whereby findings were collated into the Devlin report. This recommended that no-one should be convicted based on eye-witness testimony and the police should refrain from using leading questions in their answers.
One strength of the cognitive approach is that because cognitions are frequently tested under laboratory conditions, there is often control over confounding variables. For example, Baron-Cohen was able to control IQ from having an effect on theory of mind ability as he chose participants whose IQ was all in the normal range, meaning that differences in the Eyes Task could not be attributed to differences in IQ but down to being autistic. This means we can see which independent variables are affecting the cognitive process more precisely, allowing us to establish cause and effect.
A weakness of the cognitive approach is that as lab studies are used, there is a lack of ecological validity as cognitions are being tested in artificial situations. For example, in Loftus & Palmer, participants had to answer questions on a crash they had seen from a video clip rather than in real life, whereby realistically there would likely be more of an emotional involvement in the situtation, affecting testimonies potentially. This is a weakness because we cannot generalise results from such research to predict how cognitive processes are affected in real life.
A weakness of the cognitive approach is that it is reductionist in that it ignores the possible influence of other psychological approaches, such as physiological or behaviourist, and assumes behaviour can only be the result of cognitions. For example, in Baron-Cohen’s study, one result was that women displayed better theory of mind abilities than men, suggesting physiological factors must have a role in determining cognitions and how they influence behaviour. This is a weakness as it ignores how behaviour in real life can be affected by approaches other than cognitions, thus perhaps we need to be more holistic in our approach to psychology, incorporating other approach’s idea and theories to gain a more valid and well-rounded view.
Explain how scientific equipment is a strength of the physiological approach (using P.E.C).
One strength of the physiological approach is that it uses sophisticated equipment and specialised technology to gather data in a way that leaves less room for human error. For Example, in Dement & Kleitman’s study, an EEG machine was used to record brain activity and evaluate the stage of sleep that participants were in, rather than this being evaluated by human’s visual observation with the eyes. Due to the specialised technology or EEG machines, it meant results were more reliable as the machine would measure brain activity in exactly the same way each time.
What is the following an assumption of?
“Behaviour is the result of situations rather than disposition, thus behaviours do not remain constant across different situations”
Social approach
Give two strengths of the physiological approach.
One strength of the physiological approach is that it uses sophisticated equipment and specialised technology to gather data in a way that leaves less room for human error. For Example, in Dement & Kleitman’s study, an EEG machine was used to record brain activity and evaluate the stage of sleep that participants were in, rather than this being evaluated by human’s visual observation with the eyes. Due to the specialised technology or EEG machines, it meant results were more reliable as the machine would measure brain activity in exactly the same way each time.
One strength of the physiological approach is that it provides useful insights and applications, such as drug therapy, to help those suffering from physical brain trauma. For example, Maguire’s research incorporates the concept of brain plasticity and flexibility, showing that experiences can have an effect on the structure of our brains. We can therefore suggest that when parts of the brain become damaged, we could expose people to certain experiences in order for the brain to re-programme itself or allow processing of information that may have been previously lost.
Give two strengths and two limitations of the developmental approach.
One strength of the developmental approach is that it allows us to see how behaviour develop over time and changes with age. For example, Samuel & Bryant’s study suggests development taking place with their results showing older children (in the concrete operational stage) making less mistakes on the conservations tasks compared with younger children (in the pre-operational stage). Therefore the developmental approach helps us identify patterns of normal development, enabling us to spot any abnormalities in children’s development as they mature from an early age, such as with cognitive or emotional development.
One strength of the developmental approach is that as developmental theories are often tested under controlled lab conditions, confounding variables that could influence development are controlled. For example, Bandura ensured children were matched on their pre-existing levels of aggression so that any differences in aggressive behaviour seen between the children was caused by the independent variable (the role model) rather than their natural pre-disposed levels of aggression. This means we can isolate the variables which are causing development to be affected and better predict development of behaviours with more accuracy.
One weakness of the developmental approach is that much of it’s research only looks at short-time behavioural developments through the use of snap-shot studies. For example, Bandura did not follow up the children in his research to test how long their raised aggression levels remained changed. They were tested and measured on the same day they had been exposed to the model, so we don’t know whether role models have a long-lasting effect on aggression. Developmental psychologists therefore need to conduct more longitudinal research, such as that by Freud, in order to see how behaviours develop over time.
One weakness of the developmental approach is that as much of its research is conducted under artificial lab conditions, results lack ecological validity. For example, the children in Bandura’s research may not have been as influenced by an aggressive role model in real life as there are consequences to being aggressive to another person, such as being punished for anti-social behaviour. This is a weakness as developmental psychologists cannot accurately predict how behaviour will change in develop in real life if it has been assessed under artificial conditions as other real life variables may affect development.
Give 3 brief limitations of the developmental approach using an example from a developmental study.
- Only looks at short-term development bc. uses snapshot studies (e.g. B did not follow up children in his research to test how long raised aggression levels remained changed thus we don’t know if models have long-term effect on behaviour) thus we need longer studies (e.g. F) to see how behaviours develop over time
- Lab conditions lack ecological validity (e.g. B there were no consequences for aggressive behaviour) so real-life behaviours can’t be predicited
- Ethic broken often (e.g. B - aggression deliberately induced and t.f. lack of protection from thinking aggression was bad or has consequences; F did not respect embarrasing dreams of Hans) ends justify means?
Discuss strengths and weaknesses of the developmental approach.
One strength of the developmental approach is that it allows us to see how behaviour develop over time and changes with age. For example, Samuel & Bryant’s study suggests development taking place with their results showing older children (in the concrete operational stage) making less mistakes on the conservations tasks compared with younger children (in the pre-operational stage). Therefore the developmental approach helps us identify patterns of normal development, enabling us to spot any abnormalities in children’s development as they mature from an early age, such as with cognitive or emotional development.
One strength of the developmental approach is that as developmental theories are often tested under controlled lab conditions, confounding variables that could influence development are controlled. For example, Bandura ensured children were matched on their pre-existing levels of aggression so that any differences in aggressive behaviour seen between the children was caused by the independent variable (the role model) rather than their natural pre-disposed levels of aggression. This means we can isolate the variables which are causing development to be affected and better predict development of behaviours with more accuracy.
One weakness of the developmental approach is that much of it’s research only looks at short-time behavioural developments through the use of snap-shot studies. For example, Bandura did not follow up the children in his research to test how long their raised aggression levels remained changed. They were tested and measured on the same day they had been exposed to the model, so we don’t know whether role models have a long-lasting effect on aggression. Developmental psychologists therefore need to conduct more longitudinal research, such as that by Freud, in order to see how behaviours develop over time.
One weakness of the developmental approach is that as much of its research is conducted under artificial lab conditions, results lack ecological validity. For example, the children in Bandura’s research may not have been as influenced by an aggressive role model in real life as there are consequences to being aggressive to another person, such as being punished for anti-social behaviour. This is a weakness as developmental psychologists cannot accurately predict how behaviour will change in develop in real life if it has been assessed under artificial conditions as other real life variables may affect development.
One weakness of the developmental approach is that ethical guidelines are often broken. In Bandura’s research, aggression was deliberately induced into the children with no consequences, meaning they were not protected from thinking aggression was bad, or even harming other children as a result of being involved in the study. Also, in Freud’s research, studying the development of phobias by getting Little Hans to talk about his dreams and fantasies could have been embarrassing for him, or could have negatively influenced the relationship between him and his father. However one may argue that sometimes ethics need to be broken to understand how behaviours truly develop - ‘the end justifies the means’.
Give a similarity between two physiological studies.
Maguire and Dement & Kleitman both use specialised tech
- M: MRI scan to measure volume of grey matter in pt’s hippocampus to compare between taxi drivers and non.t.d
- D&K: EEG machine to measure levels of electrical activity in pt’s brains and evaluate stage of sleep
Give a difference between two social studies.
Milgram and Piliavin used different samples
- M: group of white men from same area in USA (thus ethnocentric and gender-biased/androcentric sample)
- P: men and women of varying ages and ethnicities (thus more representative samople than M’s)
Give a similarity between the Baron-Cohen study and the Loftus & Palmer study in the cognitive approach.
Both criticised for lacking ecological validity
- Baron-Cohen: in real life we judge mental states by looking at whole, moving faces rather than still photo of set of eyes
- Loftus & Palmer: in real life we are not forewarned that an accident will happen rather than being told in advance as in this study
Give 2 brief strengths of the cognitive approach using an example from a cognitive study.
- Useful applications to see how cognitions can influence behaviour (L&P showed how memory can be manipulated)
- Lab conditions mean control over confounding variables (B-C controlled how IQ and age could affect t.o.m ability, so differences were down to being autistic alone) so cause and effect can be established
Describe how the cognitive approach could explain the inaccuracy of eyewitness testimony.
- Cognitive psychologists argue eyewitness testimony can be made inaccurate by being exposed to additional information after the event - called reconstructive hypothesis theory
- Add. info (e.g. leading q.s) is merged with our version of events
- E.g. L&P ‘smashed’ suggested faster speed than ‘collided’ according to results
Give a difference between two developmental studies.
Bandura and Freud used different methods
- B: Lab experiment (manipulated IV of exposure to aggressive/non model in controlled environment; matched on pre-existing levels of aggression)
- F: Case study producing qual. data
Give a similarity between two developmental studies.
Bandura and Samuel & Bryant both collect quantitative data
- B: Counted how many imitated, partially imitated and non-imitated aggressive acts were displayed
- S&B: counted how many errors the children made on the conservation tasks out of 12
