APPROACHES TO PSYCHOLOGY: Definitions

Question 1

Empiricism

Answer 1

Belief that all knowledge is derived from a sensory experience, generally characterised by the use of the scientific method

Question 2

Introspection

Answer 2

Process by which a person gains knowledge about their emotional and mental state by examining or observing their conscious thoughts and feelings

Question 3

Scientific Method

Answer 3

Refers to the use of objective, systematic and replicable investigative methods and the formulation, testing and modification of hypotheses based on these methods

Question 4

Behaviourist

Answer 4

People who believe human behaviour can be explained through conditioning, without consideration for thoughts/feelings

Question 5

Classical Conditioning

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Operant Conditioning

Answer 6

Learning through reinforcement or punishment

Question 7

Punishment

Answer 7

Application of an unpleasant consequence after a behaviour to make the behaviour less likely to occur again

Question 8

Reinforcement

Answer 8

Anything that strengthens a response and increases the likelihood that it will occur again in the future

Question 9

Identification

Answer 9

Form of influence where an individual adopts an attitude or behaviour because they want to be associated with a particular person or group

Question 10

Imitation

Answer 10

The action of using someone or something as a model and copying their behaviour

Question 11

Meditation Processes

Answer 11

Refer to the internal mental processes that exist between environmental stimuli and the response made by an individual to those stimuli

Question 12

Modelling

Answer 12

A form of learning where individuals learn a particular behaviour by observing another individual performing that behaviour

Question 13

Social learning theory

Answer 13

Learning through observing others and imitating behaviours that are rewarded

Question 14

Vicarious reinforcement

Answer 14

Learning that is not a result of direct reinforcement of behaviour, but through observing someone else being reinforced for that behaviour

Question 15

Cognitive

Answer 15

Relates to mental processes such as perception, memory and reasoning

Question 16

Cognitive neuroscience

Answer 16

An area of psychology dedicated to underlying neural bases of cognitive functions

Question 17

Computer Model

Answer 17

Refers to the process of using computer analogies as a representation of human cognition

Question 18

Inference/inferring

Answer 18

Means reaching a logical conclusion on the basis of evidence and reasoning

Question 19

Schema

Answer 19

A cognitive framework that helps to organise and interpret information in the brain. Schema’s help an individual to make sense of new information

Question 20

Theoretical models

Answer 20

I cognitive psychology, models are simplified, usually pictorial, representations of a particular mental process based on current research evidence

Question 21

Biological approach

Answer 21

Views humans as biological organisms and so provides biological explanations for all aspects of psychological functioning

Question 22

Evolution

Answer 22

Refers to the change over successive generations of the genetic make-up of a particular population.

Question 23

Gene

Answer 23

A part of the chromosome of an organism that carries information in the form of DNA

Question 24

Genotype

Answer 24

The genetic make-up of an individual. Collection of inherited genetic material that is passed from generation to generation

Question 25

Natural Selection

Answer 25

The process where inherited characteristics that enhance an individual’s reproductive success is passed on to the next generation, therefore becoming more widespread in a population over time

Question 26

Neurochemistry

Answer 26

The study of chemical and neural processes associated with the nervous system

Question 27

Phenotype

Answer 27

The observable characteristics of an individual, consequence of the interaction of the genotype with the environment