psychology approaches

Question 1

What are 3 A03 evaluation points for slt ?

Answer 1

1. RLA james bulger was murdered and tortured by 2 10 year olds. both boys came from homes of high domestic abuse and the ways they tortured the boy was similar to that in the movie chucky which was found in one of the homes. boys attempted to imitate the methods of torture they had observed from their role models on james demonstrating observation and imitation.
2. Bandura underestimates the influence of biological factors as he doesn’t acknowledge the boys were more aggressive with the dolls than the girls were. Set can explain the difference as they watched the same video. environmental reductionism, ignores bio factors like testosterone
3. Research to support with bandoras bobo doll study which increases the validity of the theory

Question 2

assumptions of the behaviourist approach

Answer 2

there are 2 types of learning: operant and classical
all species learn in a similar way so we can use animals to experiment.
only measure behaviour that can be measured and observed (in a lab).

Question 3

what are the 2 types of hypotheses and what do they explain?

Answer 3

1. Directional - makes it clear what the difference will be between 2 conditions (higher or lower)
   used when the findings of previous research suggest a particular outcome
2. states that there is a difference between conditions but does not specify what this will be
   used when no previous research has been done so there’s no indication to predict the direction of results

Question 4

operant conditioning: who and what?

Answer 4

skinner
theory suggests that our behaviour is learnt through reinforcement and punishment
behaviour is shaped and maintained by consequences: neg or pos reinforcement and punishment

Question 5

schema

Answer 5

A package of beliefs and expectations about a topic based on prior experience

Question 6

Outline pavlovs dog

Answer 6

ucs(food) = uc response
ns(bell) = no cs
bell + food = paired association =ucr
bell= conditioned response

Question 7

Assumptions of social learning theory

Answer 7

people learn behaviour through observation and imitation
learning can occur indirectly through: imitation, identification and vicarious reinforcement

Question 8

what are the 2 types of extraneous variables and examples?

Answer 8

participant - individual differences between participants that may affect the Dv e.g mood, personality type, IQ , amount of sleep, health

situational - features of the experiment situation that may affect the dv e.g time, temperature, weather, noise, lighting, conditions

Question 9

assumptions of the cognitive approach

Answer 9

internal mental processes can and should be studied scientifically
as these processes are unobservable we must study them indirectly and make assumptions based on observable behaviour.
studies memory, perception and thinking

Question 10

what are the 3 main concept of social learning theory?

Answer 10

imitation: observes behaviour form role model and attempts to copy it
identification: role models- possess similar characteristics, high status or attractive
vicarious reinforcement: indirect learning through the behaviour of others and their consequences (likely to be imitated if rewarded)

Question 11

pros and cons of schemas

Answer 11

PROS:process information quickly-mental shortcut that helps us from being overwhelmed from stimuli
make predictions about what will happen, dont have to relearn

CONS: inaccurate memories/biased recall (see what we expect)
can distort our interpretation of sensory information

Question 12

mediational process example

Answer 12

1. jane paid attention to role model dying her hair pink - ATTENTION
   2.jane then retained this information- RETENTION
2. jane thought about if she can do this too(she has enough money to get it done) -MOTOR REPRODUCTION
3. Jane is motivated to dye her hair pink to be like her favourite model - MOTIVATION

Question 13

strength and limitations of slt POINTS

Answer 13

neg- underestimates influence of biological factors
pos- real life examples - james bugler- vicarious reinforcement and imitation
strength- banduras study increases the validity of the theory

Question 13

assimilation and accommodation

Answer 13

assimilation : interpret and help us to respond to incoming information
putting new ideas or concepts into understanding and practice while aligning them with older ideas and practice.

accommodation: occurs when incoming information doesnt fit our schema
changing older ideas and concepts into new and completely different concepts and ideas because of experiencing new information.

Question 13

A03 3 evaluations of the behaviourist approach.

Answer 13

the token economy has real life application
e: this uses positive reinforcement in institutions like schools and prisons and can explain behaviour irl context. People take part in good behaviour to get tokens to get privileges.
e: this approach has been used to promote socially acceptable behaviour, preparing people for the real world

scientific credibility. pavlov lab experiment shows classical conditioning can make a dog salivate at the sound of a bell BA is based on evidence carried by controlled experiments. breaking down behaviour into simple stimulus response units = causal relationship. the experiments were replicable and the data obtained was objective and measurable giving psychology more credibility.

doesnt acknowledge the fact human behaviour is more complex than animal behaviour and this study was done on animals which doesnt acknowledge how feelings and thought change behaviour not accurate as it was done on animals so cant be directly applied to humans

Question 14

cognitive approach strengths and limitations POINTS

Answer 14

1.drawback- machiene reductionist -emotional factors influence eyewitness-complex
2.strength-treatment of drepression- imp cause behaviour
3.strength- uses scientific methods like brain scans and fmri to study behaviour objectively. controlled conditions and standardised procedures.

Question 14

assumptions of the biological approach

Answer 14

everything psychological is first biological
thoughts and feelings have a physical basis because the mind lives within the brain

Question 15

drawbacks and pros of the behaviourist approach POINTS

Answer 15

1.D- doesnt acknowledge the fact that human behaviour is more complex
2. P- the token economy - real life application
3. Pavlovs dog proves ba - lab experiment is objective

Question 16

A03 3 evaluations of the cognitive approach

Answer 16

machine reductionist. This means tries to explain the human mind in terms of computer processing. which ignores the influence of human emotion and motivation affecting how we process information and make decisions. Researchers have found it evident that emotions such as anxiety influences our memories. it also dismisses the complexity of human behaviour

RLA, in the treatment of depression this is done through reality testing which challenges irrational thought. The client is told to write down when someone says something nice to them or when they were successful and its used to challenge irrational thought supports the cognitive approach and proves imp are the cause of behaviour.

uses objective, scientfic methods. Highly controlled, standardised, lab studies to infer cognitive processes. However, it relies on inferences rather than direct observation making it too abstract along with the artificial stimuli used that may not represent everyday experience so it may lack internal validity

Question 17

What are the 3 evaluations of the biological approach?

Answer 17

1. lacks internal validity- with twins cannot separate nature and nurture as they share an environment - cant establish a causal relationship
2. Uses scientific methods - fmri brain scanning to investigate the genetic basis of behaviour- can objectively study the brain and neural processes - increase reliability and validity
3. real life applications - development of treatment.
   suggests mental illness is caused by abnormal levels of neurotransmitter - psychologists made anti depressants - supports the biological approach and reduces stigma about mental health problems being a social construction

Question 17

A01 for cognitive neuroscience

Answer 17

Cognitive neuroscience is the scientific study of the influence of brain structures on mental processes and behaviour.

e.g in 1860s broca identified how damage of an area in the frontal lobe can permanently impair speech production. however in the last 25 years with advances in brain imaging techniques such as FMRI(measures the flow of blood whilst performing an activity) and PET scans scientists can observe the neurological basis of mental processes

Question 18

2 types of models in the cognitive approach

Answer 18

theoretical models: input -processed through schema - output
computer models: compared to a computer brain = central processing unit

Question 19

A01 for the origins of psychology

Answer 19

In 1879 Wundt opened the first psychology lab in Leipzig Germany

Wundts work marked the beginning of scientific psychology, separating it from it philosophical roots as he was the first systematic attempt to study the mind in controlled conditions.

Introspection is the examination of ones own mental and emotional thought processes like language and perception.

wundt recorded his own conscious thoughts and broke them into parts which is called structuralism
introspection is the examination of ones own mental and emotional processes

method: highly trained assistants would be given a stimulus e.g a ticking metronome and report on what it made them think or feel. Wundt divided his observations into; thoughts images and feelings

Question 20

classical conditioning what and who?

Answer 20

pavlov learnt he could create paired association with a bell and food
cc involves learning to associate 2 stimuli together to react to one in the same way we already respond

Question 20

the peripheral nervous system

Answer 20

this is made up of the *autonomic nervous system* which has 2 branches- sympathetic branch and the parasympathetic branch also made up of the *somatic nervous system*

Question 20

evaluation of introspection

Answer 20

introspection helped psychology become a science because Wundt's methods were controlled and scientific. Instructions were standardized so all participants were tested in the same way and extraneous variables were controlled. Wundts research was a forerunner to later scientific approaches in psychology Some aspects of his research are unscientific limitation is that the findings are subjective as participants had to self report their internal mental mental processes, participants may have hidden some thought which makes it difficult to establish meaningful laws of behaviour

Question 21

how does fight or flight work in 4 steps?

Answer 21

1. hypothalamus triggers activity in the sympathetic branch and you go from resting state to arousal 2. adrenal gland releases adrenaline into the blood stream 3. adrenaline triggers physiological changes and we decide to fight or flight 4. when the threat is gone the parasympathetic nervous system returns the body to resting state

Question 22

what does the endocrine system do

Answer 22

1. the endocrine system contols vital physiological processes in the body. 2. releases hormones from glands into the bloodstream which then bind to specific receptors to regulate cell and organ activity in the body. 3. e.g adrenaline released form the adrenal medulla for fight or flight. 4. imbalance of these hormones may lead to dysfunction.

Question 23

what does the central nervous system consist of?

Answer 23

the brain : the centre of all conscious awareness the spinal cord : an extension of the brain responsible for reflex actions e.g pulling away hand from a hot plate

Question 24

what does the peripheral nervous system consist of?

Answer 24

this transmits messages to and from the cns via millions of neurons. autonomic ns: governs vital bodily functions like breathing and digestion and this is involuntary and **has only motor pathways** this is divided into the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches somatic ns: consciously controls muscle movement ** with sensory and motor pathways.** transmits info from brain to receptors via the spinal cord to produce movements.

Question 25

explain the process of neurotransmission

Answer 25

1. messages are passed down the neuron electrically and at the end of the neuron they diffuse across the synapse chemically. 2. this triggers the release of neurotransmitters from tiny sacs called vesticles 3. they diffuse from presynaptic neuron and are taken up by the post synaptic receptor sites in the next neuron that then become activated 4. once activated, they either produce excitatory or inhibitory effects on the post-synaptic cell, making the post-synaptic cell more or less likely to fire the response

Question 26

what did introspection consist of?

Answer 26

Highly trained assistants would be given a stimulus and be asked to reflect on their experinece, reporting what it made them think or feel. structuralism is where he broke down thoughts into parts

Question 27

A01 of the biological approach

Answer 27

twin studies determine the likelehood that certain traits have a genetic basis by using concordance rates - the extent to which twins share the same characteristics. If a characteristic is genetic we expect all mz twins yo be concordant as they share 100% of their DNA whereas DZ twins share 50% A genotype is a persons genetic make up whereas the phenotype is the way that its expressed through physical behavioural and psychological characteristics. Darwin proposed the theory of evolution. natural selection as no one decided this selection, it takes place naturally.NS preserves a functional advantage that allows other species to compete better in the wild. Ns preserves and accumulates advantageous genetic mutations. animals with the trait are more likely to survive and reproduce and pass the trait to offspring

Question 28

list maslows heirarchy of needs from bottom to top

Answer 28

physiological saftey love and belonging self esteem self actualisation A person can only progress up the hierarchy once the current need in a sequence has been met. deficiency needs arise due to deprivation and motivate people to fulfil their need when they are unmet life experiences can cause people to fluctuate between the hierarchy.

Question 29

A03 evaluation of the humanistic approach

Answer 29

Cultural bias. factors are associated w/ individualistic cultures e.g western world. e.g HA suggests we have autonomy and personal growth. not applicable to collectivistic cultures which emphasise the needs of the group. HA is a positive approach as it promotes a positive image of the human condition. e.g it sees people as basically good, free to work towards achieving their full potential and in control of their lives. Whereas Freud saw human beings as slaves to their past and claimed all of us existed between common unhappiness and absolute despair. real life application in client centered therapy. increases self worth and reduces incongruence by therapist provide the client with three things: genuineness, empathy and unconditional positive regard. can only be used for mild conditions e.g anxiety.

Question 30

A03 evaluation of the psychodynamic approach

Answer 30

1. unscientific. concepts like the Oedipus complex and the unconscious part of our mind arent opened to empirical testing so they arent falsifiable 2. uses subjective methods like little hans case study which provides detailed qualitative data on a single individual . findings cant be generalised to population and they are open to interpretation 3. takes a negative stance on the human condition. psychic/ hard determinism believed that humans were slaves to their past and claimed that all humans exists somewhere between ‘common unhappiness and absolute despair’. by ignoring free will freud offers an incomplete explanation of human behaviour 4. real life application in dream therapy. accesses the unconscious part of the mind by bringing up repressed emotions. freud identified within dreams: manifest content: literal subject matter of the dream and latent content the underlying meaning of these symbols(which therapists try to uncover). proves we have unresolved conflict and its a forerunner for modern therapy

Question 31

what is a strength of cognitive neuroscience?

Answer 31

CN allows us to study the brain without any subjective interpretations Brain scanning allows us to see that mental health disorders have a biological basis. e.g the role of the parahippocampal gyrus in ocd. This can result in the development of new therapeutics and reduce blame and stigma around mental health.

Question 32

assumptions of the biological approach

Answer 32

everything psychological is first biological. we must study genes, neurochemistry and the nervous system. the mind lives in the brain and our thoughts and feelings have a physical basis.

Question 33

what is self actualisation and what is needed to achieve it

Answer 33

the desire to grow psychologically and fulfil ones full potential - becoming what you are capable of. its the highest level of mallows hierarchy and all deficiency needs must be met before SA (a growth need) can be met.

Question 34

what does the humanistic approach say about free will and how should we be studied

Answer 34

Humans have free will. Although people are affected by external and internal influences they are active agents who can determine their own development. Believes that since we are all unique psychology should concern itself with the study of subjective behaviours rather than general laws - person centred approach

Question 35

what are the 3 parts the self consists of

Answer 35

the perceived self : how we see ourselves as a person the ideal self : how we want to be perceived - consists of or goals and ambitions in life self worth: what we think about ourself, these feelings developed in early childhood from interaction with the child from mother and father

Question 36

what's the difference between congruence and incongruence

Answer 36

the closer our ideal self and perceived self are the more congruent you are and you have a higher sense of self worth and congruence allows for self actualisation Incongruence is when there's too big of a gap between the ideal self and the perceived self and self actualisation isn't possible due to the negative feelings of worth.

Question 37

What is client centred therapy and what is it based on?

Answer 37

Rogers developed client centred therapy to reduce incongruence. Feelings of low self worth are due to a lack of unconditional positive regard from parents during childhood. They lack a parent who loves them for what they are and even if they do something wrong. this is why client centered therapy provides people with unconditional positive regard, genuineness and empathy

Question 38

What are the assumptions of the psychodynamic approach

Answer 38

Freud claims behaviour is due to traumatic childhood experiences that have been repressed into the unconscious part of our mind which is split into 3 parts 1. conscious 2. pre conscious : thoughts and ideas we may become aware of during dreams 3. Unconscious : this contains disturbing memories which we have repressed and forgotten

Question 39

Outline the structure of the personality.

Answer 39

The ID : operates on the pleasure principle and is driven by the unconscious and present at birth. Its selfish and demands instant gratification the ego : operates on the reality principle and is the mediator between the Id and the superego. Develops at age 2 to reduce conflict between the demands of the ID and the superego through defence mechanisms The superego : Formed at the end of the phallic stage at age 5, it's our sense of right and wrong by adopting morals of the same sex parent. operates on the morality principle and punished the ego for wrongdoing through guilt.

Question 40

What are defence mechanisms and give three examples

Answer 40

They are unconscious and ensure the ego is able to prevent us from being overwhelmed by trauma but they involve distortion of reality making them unhealthy. 1. Repression : forcing a traumatic memory out of the conscious mind 2. Denial : refusing to acknowledge some aspects of reality 3. Displacement : transferring feelings from the true source of distressing emotion onto a substitute target

Question 41

outline the Oedipus Complex

Answer 41

In the phallic stage little boys develop feelings for their mother and hatred for their father, their rival as they fear being castrated by them. They repress their feelings for their mother and identify with their father by taking on his morals - internalisation which forms their superego

Question 42

Outline the electra complex

Answer 42

In the phallic stage girls experience penis envy when they hate their mother and desire their father. they give up their desire for a father overtime and replace this with a desire for a baby and take on their mothers norms and values - internalisation

Question 43

Outline little Hans

Answer 43

5 year old boy who developed a phobia of horses after seeing one collapse in the street. Freud suggested his phobia was a form of displacement in which his repressed fear of his father was displaced onto horses. horses represented Hans' real fear, a fear of castration

Question 44

Describe each pyscho sexual stage

Answer 44

Oral : FOP : mouth. mothers breast is the object of desire anal : FOP is anus. child gains pleasure from withholding and expelling faeces genital : FOP is genitals. child experiences the electra or oedipus complex. latency: earlier conflicts are repressed genital: sexual desires become conscious alongside the onset of puberty

Question 45

outline the theoretical model

Answer 45

Theoretical model is the information processing approach which suggests that information flows through the cognitive system in a sequence of stages. info is picked up by senses enters the brain processed using the schema leads to observable behaviour

Question 46

outline the computer model

Answer 46

The mind is compared to a computer as there are similarities in the way information is processed They use the concept of a central processing unit (the brain) the concept of coding(turning information into a useable format)and the use of stores to hold information