definitions Flashcards
what is an inference
making an assumption about mental processes that can’t be directly observed through observing behaviour
reductionism
when you take a complex phenomenon such as human behaviour and narrow the reasoning down to a simple explanation
holism
human behaviour should be viewed as a whole integrated experience and not as separate parts
determinism
view that free will is an illusion and that our behaviour is governed by internal or external forces over which we have no control
free will
is the idea that we can play an active role and have choice in how we behave. the assumption is that indiciduals are free to choose their behaviour and are self determined
operant conditioning
where behaviour becomes more or less likely through consequences and reinforcement
positive reinforcement
when something desired is given in response to a desired behaviour. this leads to the behaviour being repeated
negative reinforcement
a behaviour is strengthened by stopping removing or avoiding a negative outcome, increasing the likelihood of the desired behaviour
punishment
something unpleasant to stop and undesirable behaviour, makes the behaviour less likely to happen again but doesn’t achieve a desired behaviour
classical conditioning
learning through association
role model
someone you identify with who has status in your eyes
imitation
copying the behaviour of others
modeling
imitating a role model or a role model demonstrating
identification
when an observer associates themselves with a role model and wants to be like the role model
motivation
the behaviour is rewarded or punished affecting the likelihood of the behaviour being performed by the observer in the future
motor reproduction
memory must be translated into behaviours so the observer can access their own ability to carry out the same behaviour
retention
individual encodes and remembers what they have observed
attention
observer paying attention if interested
mediational processes
mental processes that occurs between stimulus and response that influence our behaviour
vicarious reinforcement
observing others being reinforced or punished imitating the behaviour to achieve the same result
denial
making yourself believe that something wont happen when in fact it will. we refuse to accept some aspects of reality
displacement
when you transfer your feelings from the source of these feeling to something less threatening
repression
pushing bad expectations and distressing memories into the unconscious so you no longer think about it
schema
a package of knowledge we possess about an object, event, etc
they are internal representations which help us to organise info and help us make sense of the world
