INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY

Question 1

What is a psychodynamic approach?

Answer 1

Sigmund Freud is a psychoanalyst who believes that childhood experiences influence adult behaviour. He believes that our behaviour, thoughts and feelings are controlled by our unconscious desires. He treats this through hypnosis.

Question 2

What is a behavioural psychologist?

Answer 2

Albert Bandura believes that we learn all behaviour from the environment. We learn from watching other people (role models) and things like tv and video games. He treats people using systematic desensitisation which makes them ‘unlearn’ their negative behaviour.

Question 3

Cognitive psychologist

Answer 3

Aaron Beck says that what we think can influence our behaviour for example ‘ I think I am overweight’ can lead to anorexia. Faulty thinking (thoughts with no evidence) can lead to psychological problems. This can be treated with cognitive behavioural approach helps them to see their thinking as wrong.

Question 4

Biological psychologist

Answer 4

Roger Sperry
He believes that different biological systems influence our thoughts, feelings and behaviour including: genes, biochemistry (hormones/neurotransmitters) and brain damage. He conducted split brain studies, where he cut brains in half to cure epilepsy.

Question 5

What is determinism?

Answer 5

The belief that your behaviours are determined by factors outside your control (e.g biological)

Question 6

What is social learning theory?

Answer 6

When you watch a role model conduct an action and you imitate that action (e.g celebrities in adverts)

Question 7

What is operant conditioning?

Answer 7

When you conduct an action and receive a positive reward so you do it again

Question 8

What is vicarious reinforcement?

Answer 8

This is when you imitate behaviour based on someone else’s reinforced behaviour.