APPROACHES TO PSYCHOLOGY: Definitions Flashcards
Empiricism
Belief that all knowledge is derived from a sensory experience, generally characterised by the use of the scientific method
Introspection
Process by which a person gains knowledge about their emotional and mental state by examining or observing their conscious thoughts and feelings
Scientific Method
Refers to the use of objective, systematic and replicable investigative methods and the formulation, testing and modification of hypotheses based on these methods
Behaviourist
People who believe human behaviour can be explained through conditioning, without consideration for thoughts/feelings
Classical Conditioning
Neutral stimulus is consistently paired with an unconditioned stimulus so that it takes on the properties of the stimulus and can produce a conditioned response
Operant Conditioning
Learning through reinforcement or punishment
Punishment
Application of an unpleasant consequence after a behaviour to make the behaviour less likely to occur again
Reinforcement
Anything that strengthens a response and increases the likelihood that it will occur again in the future
Identification
Form of influence where an individual adopts an attitude or behaviour because they want to be associated with a particular person or group
Imitation
The action of using someone or something as a model and copying their behaviour
Meditation Processes
Refer to the internal mental processes that exist between environmental stimuli and the response made by an individual to those stimuli
Modelling
A form of learning where individuals learn a particular behaviour by observing another individual performing that behaviour
Social learning theory
Learning through observing others and imitating behaviours that are rewarded
Vicarious reinforcement
Learning that is not a result of direct reinforcement of behaviour, but through observing someone else being reinforced for that behaviour
Cognitive
Relates to mental processes such as perception, memory and reasoning
Cognitive neuroscience
An area of psychology dedicated to underlying neural bases of cognitive functions
Computer Model
Refers to the process of using computer analogies as a representation of human cognition
Inference/inferring
Means reaching a logical conclusion on the basis of evidence and reasoning
Schema
A cognitive framework that helps to organise and interpret information in the brain. Schema’s help an individual to make sense of new information
Theoretical models
I cognitive psychology, models are simplified, usually pictorial, representations of a particular mental process based on current research evidence
Biological approach
Views humans as biological organisms and so provides biological explanations for all aspects of psychological functioning
Evolution
Refers to the change over successive generations of the genetic make-up of a particular population.
Gene
A part of the chromosome of an organism that carries information in the form of DNA
Genotype
The genetic make-up of an individual. Collection of inherited genetic material that is passed from generation to generation
