Moduel 2.2 Flashcards
What is a Theory
- A theory is a proposed explanation [hypothesis] for a phenomenon
- A scientific theory is a hypothesis that has been tested and confirmed by experimentation
- Theories that are plausible and/or have lots of evidence supporting them become generally accepted by the scientific community.
ex. Think of Darwin’s Theory of Evolution, or Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity.
When do Theories become broadly accepted?
- when they are logical, have been rigorously tested and are consistent with the available evidence.
- the theories that most consistently explain the existing evidence become most accepted (theory of evolution to explain how we came about)
Evaluating a Theory
- A good theory stands up to people trying to disprove it. It is supported by evidence. A bad theory eventually fails in the face of evidence.
- the theory is useful for explaining many aspects of a phenomenon, but shouldn’t be expected to explain everything under all conditions.
- even the “best” theories are still being subjected to testing and questioning by the scientific community.
4 Components of a Theory
- A theory should be testable
- A theory should be consistent with existing evidence
- A theory should be concise and straightforward
- A theory should make sense (have internal consistency)
Biological Theories
Biological theories that account for human development are based on the functioning of the brain, on genetic factors, the functioning of the immune system, and the effects of time and ageing on the biological system.
Includes Evolutionary Theories
-state that human behaviour evolved over time as an adaptation to the environment, are also included.
The Mendelian Law of Inheritance
-describes how dominant and recessive traits combine to give us our expressed traits.
-Mendelian inheritance accounts for many of our physical and biological traits.
-Non-Mendilian Traits:
•These are traits that are influenced by more complex genetic factors than simple recessive/dominant interactions, such as when a trait is determined by the expression of multiple genes
Epigenetics
-describes nongenetic factors that influence which genes express themselves and how they express themselves
Ex: Environmental factors may influence genes to activate in some people, while in other people those same genes remain dormant.
Biochemical Factors
Neurotransmitters
- are chemicals involved in the transfer or modulation of nerve impulses from one cell to another.
- play an important role in emotional regulation and cognitive function.
- Neurotransmitter changes are often correlated with certain types of mental illness.
Hormonal Factors
- may contribute to certain physiologically based behaviours
- When hormones deviate from “normal” values, it can affect the functioning of an individual, even impacting their emotions, cognition and behaviour.
The 3 sets of Psychological Theories
- Psychoanalytic Theories (Freud, Erikson)
- Learning Theories (Pavolv, Skinner)
- Cognitive Theories (Piaget, Bandura)
Psychoanalytic Theorists Believe What
- believe that data for understanding a person comes from within that person, by observing their relationships, and knowledge of the impact on the person of social units, norms and laws.
- Data from unconscious processes, early development and the past are used to understand present behaviours.
- Sigmund Freud & Erik Erikson
Theory of Personality
Freud Theory:
There are three psychic structures in the personality:
•Id: Represents instinctual drives and energies that each person is born with (positive and negative).
•Superego: Includes the store of prohibitions that deter the person from acting on elemental or Id-induced drives. The concerns of the Superego are gained through interaction with the social environment and reflect the perceived values and norms of family, culture and society.
•Ego: is the rational manager and functions to maintain a reasonable equilibrium.
Anxiety: is viewed as the result of unresolved conflict between personality components. It is the primary motivation for behaviour.
The conscious-unconscious continuum
Freud Theory:
•Conscious (current awareness or easily remembered)
•Preconscious (remembered with help)
•Unconscious (not remembered, recognized and difficult to bring to awareness)
Psychosocial Theory of Personality Development
Erik Erikson Theory:
- explains step by step the unfolding of the emotional development and social characteristics during encounters with the environment.
- Each phase has specific developmental tasks associated with it.
- Psychosocial Crisis and it’s Virtue
- Trust vs. mistrust (hope)
- Autonomy vs. shame/doubt (will)
- Initiative vs. guilt (purpose)
- Industry vs. inferiority (competency)
- Edo Identity vs. role confusion (fidelity)
- Intimacy vs. isolation (love)
- Generativity v. stagnation (Care)
- Ego Integrity vs. Dispair (Wisdom)
Behavioural Theorists Think What?
- focus on isolated units or patterns of behaviour. They view the organism as a self-maintaining mechanism and focus on physiologic processes and identifiable aspects of behaviour.
- Ivan Pavlov & B.F. Skinner
Classical Conditioning
Ivan Pavlow Theory:
- An unconditioned (new) stimulus is presented with a known stimulus… the organism learns to respond to the new stimulus in the same way it responded to a familiar stimulus
- Dogs trained them to drool in response to ringing a bell. This was accomplished by associating a new stimulus (the bell) with a known stimulus (the food). Eventually, the dog was conditioned to respond to the bell with the same response the food produced.