areas Flashcards
whats is the main focus of the cognitive area?
the cognitive area focuses on the way our brains processes information.
the cognitive area covers many areas like memory, perception, language, thinking and attention.
what are the key assumptions of the cognitive area?
information processing affects our behaviour.
Our brains operate like a computer – they rely on input, they process information and this leads to an output (behaviour)
We can make assumptions about what is happening in our brain based on external observations of behaviour
what are strengths of the cognitive area?
Can help us understand how we think and process information
Can have useful practical application in schools, crime etc.
It favours the scientific method, so research is usually well controlled and has high internal validity.
Because research is high in internal validity and often uses quantitative data, this area of psychology is high in credibility.
what are weakness of the cognitive area?
A scientific approach can mean that some studies lack ecological validity because they take place in lab conditions
Lab experiments also increase the likelihood of demand characteristics.
Whilst there have been technological advances, there are still limits to the extent to which we can understand internal mental processes. So research is often limited methods such as self report which might lack validity.
Models of information processing aim to generalise to everyone, but are often overly reductionist.
what core studies link to the cognitive area?
Loftus and Palmer (1974) Eyewitness testimony
Grant et al. (1998) Context-dependent memory
how does Loftus and Palmer link to the cognitive area?
links to information processing because Loftus demonstrates that input –in this case he verb used to describe ‘contacted’ can affect our perception of speed travelled.
how does Grant et al. link to the cognitive area?
links to the area because Grant demonstrates that information is easier to recall when the recall conditions match the storage conditions. This shows that the way in which we input information affects our ability to retrieve information.
what is the main aim of the biological area?
To understand how physiological factors impact our behaviour
what are the key assumptions of the biological area?
Our behaviour is affected by genetics, brain structure, hormones and neurotransmission
Internal factors affect our behaviour
what are the strengths of the biological area?
This area favours scientific methods, making it high in internal validity, reliability etc. It is also possible to identify a cause and effect relationship between variables.
The scientific method give the biological area increased credibility
It is easy to test or replicate, which is a key feature of scientific enquiry.
Research in this area is benefitting from new technology so we are developing a greater understanding of how our brain actually works. Neuroscience is one of the most rapidly advancing areas of psychology
what the weaknesses of the biological area?
Whilst there have been technological advances, there are still limits to the extent to which we can understand biological influences on behaviour. A great deal of biological research is correlational so cause and effect relationships can only be inferred, reducing the validity of the area.
Biological variables are difficult to isolate from the effects of nurture and environment, so this can affect the internal validity of research.
Explanations from the biological perspective are often theoretically reductionist in that they only consider biological factors. This makes them too simplistic.
what core studies link to the biological area?
Sperry (1968) Split brain study
Casey et al. (2011) Neural correlates of delay of gratification
how does Sperry’s study link to the biological area?
researched brain function. Brains function is central to the biological approach. Sperry found that each hemisphere of the brain is responsible for different function. He also focused on contralateral function and the role of the corps callosum.
how does Casey’s study link to the biological area?
linked to brain function. Casey found that specific structures in the brain are responsible for delay gratification – ventral striatum & Inferior frontal gyrus
what is the main aim of the developmental area?
To understand how our behaviour/cognition changes as we age and develop over time
what are the key assumptions of the developmental area?
Our behaviour is not constant through life
We can explain development using other theoretical approaches e.g. biological, social, cognitive, behaviourist and psychodynamic factors.
what are the strengths of the developmental area?
Attempts to address the nature/nurture debate as it applies a range of different theories to explain how we develop
Uses a variety of quantitative and qualitative methodology
Often uses longitudinal research so can allow researchers to develop a detailed picture of how we develop behaviour over time.
what are the weaknesses of the developmental area?
Research with children might be limited by ethical considerations for example there are often high attrition rates in longitudinal studies as participants withdraw. This can affect the sample size and usefulness of results.
There are many practical issues in researching children; e.g. access, children can’t really explain their behaviours
what core studies link to the developmental area?
Bandura et al. (1961) Transmission of aggression
Chaney et al. (2004) Funhaler study
how does Bandura et al. study link to the developmental area?
Links to factors that affect our development. Focuses on how role models affect our development, in this case observing aggressive role models will lead us to copy aggressive behaviour.
how does Chaney et al. study link to the developmental area?
Shows how reinforcement can affect the way in which we behave, so can change our development.
what is the main aim of individual differences?
To understand how why people behave differently from each other
what are the key assumptions of the individual differences area?
This area tends to adopt an idiographic approach so is less interested in generalising to all people than other areas.
This area explains difference using other theoretical approaches e.g. biological, social, cognitive, behaviourist and psychodynamic factors.
what are the strengths of individual differences area?
It helps us understand how and why people behave differently
Has important social benefits e.g. leading to treatment of mental disorders
what are the weaknesses of individual differences area?
The subject of difference is socially sensitive as it can lead to stigmatisation of groups. This has to be handled carefully to avoid imposing harm as a result of discrimination.
Tools for measuring difference may not always be valid.
The topic of difference is often based on culturally subjective definitions of ‘normal’, this area might therefore be subject to ethnocentrism and culture bias.
what core studies link to individual differences area?
Freud (1909) Little Hans
Baron-Cohen et al. (1997) Autism in adults
how does Freud study links to individual differences?
Links to individual differences because Freud is trying to explain Han’s anxiety as a consequence of his psychosexual development and life events. He also develops a methodology (psychoanalysis) for understanding difference.
how does Baron-Cohen et al. links to individual differences|?
Links to individual differences because BC is exploring how adults with autistic spectrum disorders have a less developed 2nd order theory of mind. He also develops a useful test for measuring difference.
what is the main aim of the social area?
to understand how the social situation influences our behaviour
what are the key assumptions of the social area ?
Our behaviour is influenced by the people around us e.g. presence of an authority figure and our behaviour is influenced by situational factors in the social setting e.g. placement of objects
what are strengths of the social area?
Can help us understand how our behaviour is affected by other people
Can have useful practical application in social settings e.g. the workplace
Seeks to explain real life events so can seem more relevant than other areas
what are the weaknesses of the social area?
Because it depends on social factors, social norms can change over time and therefore research may not maintain temporal validity.
Similarly because research depends on social factors, social norms can change across cultures and therefore research may not have cross cultural validity and might be subject to ethnocentric bias
It can be difficult to stay within ethical guidelines because it often requires manipulation of people in a social setting which might involve deception etc.
what core studies link to the social area?
Milgram (1963) Obedience
Bocchiaro et al. (2012) Disobedience and whistle-blowing
how does Milgram link to the social area?
links to the presence of others – in this case the presence of the experimenter, shown as authority figure because they were wearing a lab coat and were working at Yale University
how does Bocchiaro et al. link to the social area?
links to the presence of others – in this case the research was shown as authority figure because of their stern expression and they were working on a piece of academic research at a University in Amsterdam.
