Comparison of approaches Flashcards
1
Q
how are behaviorists research seen as highly scientific?
A
- focus on observable stimulus and responses
- Pavlov’s and skinner’s experiments
- use large samples in controlled conditions
- allows for precise replications
2
Q
why is social learning theory not fully scientific?
A
- use experimental methods and large samples
- look at modelling, vicarious reinforcement and mediational processes
- but internal mental processes cant be observed= inferences have to be made
- inferences could be mistaken which reduces scientific credibility
3
Q
why is cognitive psychology not fully scientific?
A
- use controlled experiments to research the working memory model
- models show internal mental processes= cant be fully observed
- inferences made arent fully scientific
4
Q
how is biological psychology highly scientific?
A
- directly observe physical processes
- use objective measuring devices =fMRI scanners, DNA sequences and blood tests
- placebo controlled trials are used to test drugs
- objective measurement= highly scientific
5
Q
why can the psychodynamic theory not be scientifically studied?
A
- freud based theories on case studies
- not scientific due to bias in the researches interpretation
- concepts like superego arent operationally defined
- so cant be scientifically studied
6
Q
why do humanists reject the scientific method completely?
A
- human behaviour is too complex to be reduced to simple variables
- reject cause- and - effect principle that scientific research depends on
- also lacks empirical evidence to support its claims
7
Q
how are behaviourists hard environmental determinists?
A
- behaviour entire result of creatures interactions with the environment
- behaviour individuals found rewarding in the past will more likely be repeated
- free will has no role in behvaiourist theories
- they are hard determinists
7
Q
how is SLT environmentally deterministic?
A
- environmentally deterministic
- reciprocal determinism
- behaviour caused by the environment and our behaviour determines the environment
8
Q
how are cognitive psychologists soft determinists?
A
- causal factors that influence behaviour
- people learn schema through experiences
- automatic templates for our behaviour
- suggest that with conscious effort = free will
- maladaptive automatic internal mental processes can be modified
8
Q
how are biological psychologists biologically deterministic?
A
- behaviour is completely caused by our physical nature
- hormones, genes, brains, neurotransmitter,
- mental disorders explained through imbalance of neurotransmitters due to inheritance of dysfunctional genes
- hard determinists
9
Q
how are psychodynamic psychologists psychic determinists?
A
- idea that unconscious thoughts, drives and repressed memories shape our conscious behaviours
- unconscious forces are formed in childhood and influence adult behaviour
10
Q
why do humanists believe in free will?
A
- humans have agency
- make our own decisions free from restraints
- we have moral responsibility for our choices
11
Q
behaviourists on the nature nurture debate:
A
- most important influences on behaviour are environmental= nurture
- rewards cause behaviours to be repeated
- but we still have innate reflex actions= nature
12
Q
SLT on the nature nurture debate:
A
- explain behaviour through nurture
- direct S-R mechanisms of behaviourists and social experiences= nurture
- observing models and vicarious reinforcement
13
Q
cognitive psychologists on the nature nurture debate:
A
- argue both aspects are important
- internal mental processes run on the physical, biological hardware of the brain
- can be argued as being closer to nurture
- explanations of mental processes like schemas are formed through experiences
13
Q
biological psychologists on the nature nurture debate:
A
- most influences on behaviour are hereditary= nature
- behaviour due to inheritance of DNA
- this codes biological processes
- such neurotransmitter transport in the brain imbalances leads to behaviour such as increased aggression
14
Q
psychodynamics on nature and nurture:
A
- include both nature and nurture
- psychosexual= biological processes that all children will experience
- the experiences children have while passing through these stages shape their adult personalities
15
Q
Humanistic psychologists on nature and nurture:
A
- holistics psychologists
- argue any behvaiour has many interacting factors
- influence of genes= nature
- environmental influences= nurture
16
Q
behaviourism on reductionism or holism:
A
- behaviourists are reductionists
- they explain even complex behaviour as stimulus response links
17
Q
SLT on reductionism or holism:
A
- less reductionist than behaviourists
- still believe in influence of S-R bonds
- include internal mental processes as well= less reductionist
- e.g. mediational processes
18
Q
cognitive psychologists on reductionism or holism:
A
- the computer analogy is argued to be mechanically reductionist
- overly simplistic, ignores important and complex role of emotions and irrationality
- computer memory is flawless but human memory is reconstructive
19
Q
biological psychologists on reductionism or holism:
A
- aggression, attachment and mental health conditions due to chemical processes within the brain
- highly reductionist
- oversimplifies complex and highly personal emotional experiences
- ignores cognitive and cultural factors
20
Q
psychodynamics on reductionism or holism:
A
- not reductionist
- explanation includes a range of factors
- biological changes that happen in childhood= psychosexual changes
- shape unconscious mind and how they interact with the conscious mind
21
Q
humanistic approach on reductionism or holism:
A
- argue against any reductionist explanations of behaviour
- only valid explanation is holistic
- individual experiences are to be explained with the widest range of factors included
- biological factors, direct experience to education, social learning and culture
22
how is behaviourism used as psychological treatments?
- used to treat phobias
- flooding and systematic desensitisation
- use as exposure to phobic object to counter condition phobias
- replacing fear association with calm
23
how is SLT used as a psychological treatment?
- uses modelling in safe environment to alter maladaptive behaviour
- meaningful role models show appropriate behaviour
24
how has cognitive theory been used as a psychological treatment?
- used to develop cognitive behavioural therapy
- cognitively restructures irrational thoughts
- like negative schemas about self worth
-reality testing irrational thoughts by acting as a scientist
- while the therapist disputes irrational thoughts
25
how has biology been used as a psychological treatment?
- led to treatments that influence biological processes
- brain surgery and drug therapy
- drug therapies work by altering the activity of neurotransmitters
- SSRI's slow the reuptake of serotonin into the synaptic terminal
26
how has the psychodynamic approach create psychological treatments?
- form psychotherapy
- uses introspection to focus on past experiences
- then explore unconscious thoughts and feelings
- find how they impact behaviour and relationships
27
how has the humanistic approach been used as psychological therapies?
- develop client-centred therapy
- doesnt focus on mental health but how the client can grow
- therapists role isnt to direct them but to assist them and help then understand their experiences and produce solutions
- therapists provide unconditional positive regard
