Approaches Theories

Question 1

Origins of Psychology-Wundt’s lab

Answer 1

Wundt opened his lab in Leipzig, Germany. He introduced structuralism and allowed studied to be done in a controlled environment. This allowed psychology to develop as a science

Question 2

Evolution of Psychology-17th to 19th Century

Answer 2

Psychology is a branch of philosophy. It is understood as experimental philosophy

Question 3

Evolution of Psychology-1879

Answer 3

Wundt’s lab opens, Psychology emerges as an independent discipline

Question 4

Evolution of Psychology-1900’s

Answer 4

Freud developed his psychodynamic approach, empathises the influence of unconscious thoughts on our behaviour

Question 5

Evolution of Psychology-1913

Answer 5

Watson and Skinner establish the behaviourist approach, this becomes the dominate field in psychology for the next 50 years

Question 6

Evolution of Psychology-1950’s

Answer 6

Rogers and Maslow develop the humanistic approach which rejects the ideas of the behaviourist and psychodynamic approaches

Question 7

Evolution of Psychology-1960’s

Answer 7

The cognitive revolution occurs. The digital computer allowed psychologists to have a metaphor for the human mind. The cognitive approach is created

Question 8

Evolution of Psychology-1960’s 2

Answer 8

Bandura proposes Social Learning Theory, a mixture of behaviourist and cognitive approaches which build a bridge between the two

Question 9

Evolution of Psychology-1980’s

Answer 9

Due to technological advances, the biological approach is established and becomes the dominant perspective in psychology

Question 10

Evolution of Psychology-21st Century

Answer 10

Cognitive neuroscience emerges as a link between the cognitive approach and the biological approach. It investigates how biology effects and influences mental states

Question 11

Behaviourism-Assumptions

Answer 11

• All behaviour is observable and learned from experience

- The basic processes are the same in all species

Question 12

Behaviourism-Classical Conditioning

Answer 12

Created by Pavlov. It involves the association of a Neutral Stimulus with and Unconditioned Response to create a Conditioned Stimulus (The old NS) and a Conditioned Response

Question 13

Behaviourism-Operant Conditioning

Answer 13

Created by Skinner. It involves the learner learning behaviour by its consequences, in the form of reinforcement

Question 14

Behaviourism-Operant Conditioning- Positive Reinforcement

Answer 14

Receiving a reward or something positive when the behaviour is done, it increases the likelihood of that behaviour reoccurring

Question 15

Behaviourism-Operant Conditioning- Negative Reinforcement

Answer 15

Doing a behaviour to prevent a negative thing from happening, it increases the likelihood of that behaviour reoccurring

Question 16

Behaviourism-Operant Conditioning-Punishment

Answer 16

A unpleasant consequence to the behaviour, this decreases the likelihood of that behaviour reoccurring

Question 17

Social Learning Theory-Assumptions

Answer 17

• All behaviour is observable and learned from experience

- Learning occurs directly and indirectly

Question 18

Social Learning Theory-Vicarious Reinforcement

Answer 18

Observation of a same sex role model being rewarded causes that behaviour to be vicariously reinforced, which increases the likelihood of the behaviour being intimated

Question 19

Social Learning Theory-Identification

Answer 19

We are more likely to imitate role model who we identify with, as they have similar characteristics or features as us

Question 20

Social Learning Theory-Mediational Processes

Answer 20

These "bridge the gap" between the behaviourist theory and the cognitive theory 
They are:
1-Attention
2-Retention
3-Motor Reproduction 
4-Motivation

Question 21

Cognitive Theory-Assumptions

Answer 21

• Internal mental processes can be studied scientifically

- These studies are done indirectly by making inferences about the processes

Question 22

Cognitive Theory-Theoretical and Computer Models

Answer 22

These models state that the mind works like a computer

Question 23

Cognitive Theory-Roles of Schema

Answer 23

Schemas are beliefs and/or expectations that can affect thoughts and behaviour. They can be inmate or learned, and they act as a mental short cut, which can lead to us not seeing the “whole picture” of a place or event

Question 24

Cognitive Theory-Cognitive Neuroscience

Answer 24

First studied by Paul Broca, who linked mental states to biological structures. In recent years, due to the advancement of science and technology, we can use brain imaging devices, like fMRI to read and understand the brain

Question 25

Biological Approach-Assumptions

Answer 25

Biological processes (genes, neurochemistry and the nervous system) can be used to explain our thoughts and behaviour. 
Everything psychological is at first biological

Question 26

Biological Approach-Genetic Basis of Behaviour

Answer 26

Twin studies are used to see if behaviour characteristics are inherited in the same way as physical characteristics. Identical twins (monozygotic) share more characteristics with each other than non-identical twins (dizygotic). This is because MZ twins share 100% of the same genes

Question 27

Biological Approach-Genotype and Phenotype

Answer 27

A person’s genotype is their actual genetic makeup, while their phenotype is how they express those genes

Question 28

Biological Approach-Evolution and Behaviour

Answer 28

According to Darwin, natural selection of genes based on survival value and reproduction success. It is known as “Survival of the Fittest”

Question 29

Psychodynamic Approach-Role of the Unconscious

Answer 29

The conscious mind is the “tip of the iceberg”. Majority of mind in unconscious. It is a vast storehouse of biological drives and instincts that influence are behaviour. There are also repressed memories in the unconscious

Question 30

Psychodynamic Approach-The Personality-id

Answer 30

Operates on the pleasure principal. It is present at birth, and its demands demand instant gratification

Question 31

Psychodynamic Approach-The Personality-ego

Answer 31

Operates on the reality principal, mediator between the two other parts. Develops at around 2 years and manages the conflict between the id and superego by using ego defence mechanisms

Question 32

Psychodynamic Approach-The Personality-superego

Answer 32

Operates on the morality principal;, develops at around 5 years. It’s our moral part of our personality

Question 33

Psychodynamic Approach-Psychosexual Stages-Oral

Answer 33

Occurs at 0-1 years, focus of pleasure is on the mouth with the mothers breasts being the object of desire. If a conflict is not resolved during this period, the child could have a oral fixation to something (smoking), and be sarcastic and critical

Question 34

Psychodynamic Approach-Psychosexual Stages-Anal

Answer 34

Occurs at 1-3 years, focus of pleasure is the anus. The child gains pleasure from withholding and expelling faeces. If a conflict is not resolved during this period, the child could have an anal retentive or anal expulsive personality

Question 35

Psychodynamic Approach-Psychosexual Stages-Phallic

Answer 35

Occurs at 3-5 years, focus of pleasure is the genitals. The child goes though the Oedipus or Electra complex as well. If a conflict is not resolved during this period, the child could have a phallic personality

Question 36

Psychodynamic Approach-Psychosexual Stages-Latency

Answer 36

During this period, any earlier conflict is repressed

Question 37

Psychodynamic Approach-Psychosexual Stages-Genital

Answer 37

Sexual desires become conscious alongside puberty. If a conflict is not resolved, the child might have difficulty forming heterosexual relationships

Question 38

Humanistic Psychology-Free Will

Answer 38

People are active agents who are self determining and who are fully in charge of their actions, thoughts and behaviours

Question 39

Humanistic Psychology-Self Actualisation

Answer 39

Every person has the innate tendency to achieve their full potential. To achieve this, we have to meet all four lower levels of the hierarchy of needs before we can start to achieve our full potential

Question 40

Humanistic Psychology-Self and Congruence

Answer 40

Personal growth requires our idea self and our current self to be congruent. This means it will be more likely to become our ideal self.

Question 41

Humanistic Psychology-Hierarchy of Needs

Answer 41

Maslow identified physiological deficiency needs to be satisfied before safety and self-actualisation