Development Over Time Flashcards
How long has psychology existed for?
Psychology is a relatively new discipline, existing for only just over 100 years. Much has changed in that time.
What is an example of progressions of knowledge within cognitive psychology?
Models of memory developing over time, for example the introduction of the episodic buffer in 2000.
How have explanations or treatments for behaviours changed?
-Explanations for behaviour might changed for example looking for either environmental or genetic causes.
-Treatments for behaviours might change, for example treatment of phobias using SD in 1950s, flooding in the 1960s and virtual reality in the 1990s.
How have methods that psychologists use to investigate ideas changed?
From the very beginning psychologists have wanted ways to look inside the brain at its structures and processes. Advances in technology has enabled brain scanning methods to develop and become more sophisticated. Cognitive neuroscience is now its own field.
-CT scan first used in 1971.
-PET scan introduced in 1978.
-fMRI scan introduced 1991.
How have historical events influenced the viewpoints held by psychologists?
-Milgram was born in New York City to working-class Jewish immigrant parents. This meant that
the events of the Holocaust were personally significant to him. Especially in 1960 when Adolf Eichmann was caught and tried for war crimes but defended his behaviour by saying “he was just obeying orders”. Milgram aimed to understand the behaviour of those Germans who followed orders to kill over 10 million people in the Holocaust.
Other historical events:
-My Lai Massacre, In 1968 US soldiers, searching for Vietcong guerrillas, raided the village of My Lai, killing around 300 civilians, including children. The My Lai Massacre severely damaged America’s reputation and undermined support for the war at home in the US.
-911 terror attack and US response including the atrocity at Abu Ghraib which was a US Army detention centre for captured Iraqis from 2003 to 2006. An investigation into the treatment of detainees at the prison was prompted by the discovery of graphic photos depicting guards abusing detainees in 2003.
How has psychological knowledge developed over time?
-Advances, progression and expansion of knowledge/theories.
-Changes in explanations or treatments.
-Changes/improvements in methods.
How has psychological understanding progressed over time?
-Theories/explanations are overturned by evidence and new ones develop.
-Treatments for disorders change and develop becoming more ethical and sophisticated.
-Scientific discoveries and technological advances influence methods and techniques used in research.
-New research can refute previous findings.
How has psychological knowledge remained consistent over time?
Knowledge, understanding, explanations and treatments have stayed constant and not changed.
How has psychological knowledge not changed over time?
-Understanding of theoretical concepts have remained the same since they were first discovered.
-Methods used by researchers have remained constant over time (eg lab experiment, observation, interview etc).
-Replications of studies have found similar results over time highlighting consistency and reliability.
