Approaches Year 12 Flashcards
Assumptions of Behaviourist Approach
Concerned with observable, measurable behaviour, ignores internal events (emotion, thinking). Observable behaviour (external) objectively and scientifically measured.
Measured in controlled environments establish cause and effect, rely on Lab Experiments.
States babies mind is a “blank state” that is written on by experience
Suggests basic processes that govern learning are the same in all species (Animal research as good as Human research according to this approach)
Suggests all behaviour result of simple stimulus-response association no matter the complexity
All Behaviour learnt from environment, learning new behaviour learnt through CC, OC
Pavlov’s Research Classical Conditioning
Main Point- Pavlov revealed dogs can be conditioned to salivate to sound of bell if repeatedly presented same time given food
Before conditioning -> Food (UCS) -> Salivation (UCR)
Before conditioning -> Bell (NS) -> No Salivation / CR
During conditioning -> Bell + Food -> Salivation (UCR)
After conditioning -> Bell (CS) -> Salivation (CR)
Skinners Research Operant Conditioning
Main Point- Skinner suggested learning is an active process where humans, animals operate on environment currently in
Procedure- Rats placed in Skinner Boxes (cages), when lever activated by Rat rewarded food pellet. After repetition animal continued to perform behaviour. Also done on Pidgeon’s same procedure avoid shock by pressing lever (avoid unpleasant stimulus)
When animal pressed lever given food Positive Reinforcement
When animal pressed lever stops shock Negative Reinforcement
Also states that we do not have free will, our past condition history determines outcome when something happens
Behaviourist Approach Evaluation
Strength- Scientific Credibility (Controlled Research), the approach brought scientific methods into psychology, results observable (empirical), factual, objective, able to compare people against control group, good replicability, makes psychology more credible Examples Skinner, Pavlov
Weakness- Counterpoint to above strength, environmental reductionism completely ignores mental processes reduces behaviour to simple stimulus-response. Thinking causes behaviour, oversimplified
Strength- Real World Application, conditioning been applied to real world problems, OC basis token economy systems successful in prisons, reward appropriate behaviour token exchange privilege, CC treatment of phobias, increase value of approach
Weakness- Environmental Determinism, sees all behaviour determined past experiences, Skinner suggests everything we do is sum total of our reinforcement history, our past condition history determines outcome when something happens, ignores free will extreme
Assumptions of the Social Learning Approach
Bandura proposed SLT is a development from behaviourist approach, argued CC, OC not account all human learning. Important mental processes lie between stimulus and response (Meditational processes).
SLT proposed learn through observation, imitation of others within social context
Proposed learning can occur directly (CC, OC) or indirectly (Vicarious Reinforcement)
Indirect learning to take place individual observes behaviour, imitiation only if behaviour rewarded (reinforced) rather than punished. Learner observes behaviour more importantly consequence
The role of Mediational Processes
SLT bridge traditional learning theory and cognitive approach because it focuses on how mental (cognitive) factors involved in learning.
Prior thought before imitation (Mediational processes), occurs between observing behaviour (stimulus) and imitating it or not (response)
4-Attention (extent we notice certain behaviours), Retention (how well behaviour remembered), Motor Reproduction (ability perform behaviour), Motivation (will to perform determined by reward or punishment of behaviour)
AR -> learning of behaviour MM -> performance of behaviour
Modelling- More likely imitate behaviour of role model / identify with (Identification)
Bandura et al (1961), Bandura and Walters (1963)
Procedure- Bandura et al recorded behaviour of young children watched adult behave aggressive towards Bobo doll, adult hit doll with hammer shouted abuse
Findings- When children played multiple toys with group (Did not witness adult) more aggressive towards Bobo
Procedure- Bandura and Walters shows video to children adult aggressive to Bobo, one group see adult praised (“Well Done”), Second group saw adult punished (Told off), Third (Control Group) saw aggression no consequence
Findings- First Group (Most aggressive) -> Second Group -> Third Group (Least aggressive)
Social Learning Theory Evaluation
Bringing science to Psych- Built on behaviourism by adding the mediational processes, which are cognitive (ARPM). This allowed for better scientific study of human behaviour and motivation. +ve
Real-life application- SLT can explain cultural variations really well. Every country has different role models to observe and imitate, so SLT can explain why people grow up differently. +ve
Reductionism- Less reductionist than behaviourist, adds thinking. Still ignores biology too much – males are more aggressive than females even with same observational learning, so bio important. -ve
Determinism- Reciprocal determinism – gives us some limited free will as we have an effect on our environment. -ve
Assumptions of Cognitive Approach
Cognitive approach argues internal mental processes can and should be studied scientifically
Investigated areas of behaviour ignored by behaviourists (memory, perception, thinking)
Private processes cannot be observed, studied indirectly making inferences (educated guess) what’s happening in mind on basis of behaviour
The role of schema
Cognitive processing affected by persons beliefs, expectations (schema)
Schema package of ideas and information developed through experience, mental framework for interpretation of incoming info received by cog sys. For example, chair legs, sit on
Babies born simple motor schema innate behaviours (sucking, grasping)
As we age schema becomes more detailed sophisticated
Process lots info quick, mental shortcut prevents overwhelming by environmental stimuli
Theoretical and Computer Models
Use Theo Comp models help understand internal mental processes
Theo model- Information processing approach, suggests info flows through cog sys sequence of stages (input, storage, retrieval), based on way comp functions
Comp model- Programming comp, see instructions produce similar output to humans, if so, suggests similar processes in human mind, useful in dev of AI
Emergence of cognitive neuroscience
Cog neuro scientific study influence brain structures on mental processes.
Map brain areas specific cog functions
Paul Broca (1860s) identified damage to area of frontal lobe permanently impair speech production
Advances in tech fMRI, PET scans allow scientist systematically observe, describe neurological basis mental processes
Scanning proved useful establishing neurological basis of disorders OCD -> parhippocampal gyrus
Cognitive Approach Evaluation
Scientific Methods- Developed the use of brain scans to study the brain and thinking even better, allowing for the scientific study of mental processes (by inferring from the results). Observable results (Empirical, factual, objective) +ve
Counterpoint for above- Cannot be generalised, artificial setting for Loftus and Palmer, not a real car crash, emotions such as fear not present (Not explaining real life) -ve
Real-life application- CBT is a successful treatment of depression where the negative thoughts of the client are challenged, shows value of cog approach +ve
Reductionism- Machine reductionism- Ignores emotions, which have a role in the way we think (e.g., the effect of anxiety on memory). Therefore, this is an incomplete theory, weakens validity of approach. -ve
Determinism- Soft determinism- Thinking gives us a role in choosing whether to act on determined impulses. +ve
Assumptions of Biological Approach
Suggest everything psychological is at first biological, so to fully understand human behv, must look to bio struct and processes within the body
Mind lives in the brain, all thoughts feelings behaviour have a physical basis
Neurochemical and Genetic basis of behaviour
Neurochemical basis of behaviour:
Neurochemistry- action of chemicals in brains
Thought, behaviour relies on chemical transmission (occurs using neurotransmitters) in the brain
Imbalance neurochemicals in brain possible cause mental disorder. Examples low levels serotonin in OCD high levels dopamine in schizophrenia
Genetic basis of behaviour:
Twin studies used investigate whether psych characteristic (Ch) have genetic basis
MZ (Identical) Twins higher concordance DZ (Non-identical) Twins suggesting genetic influence
