Understanding how psychology developed over time Flashcards
Social
Milgram’s work on obedience in 1960’s was replicated in a similar and more ethical form by Burger in 2009 – shows that despite the difference in dates behaviour displayed was still similar as was method of research showing development of understanding.
Sherif et al and Tajfel theories of prejudice about the same time showing focus of Social Psychology on prejudice in 1960s/1970s and this understanding is still relevant to explain to explain a lot of current behaviour e.g. football hooliganism.
Cognitive
Baddeley’s work on memory has been long term. In 1960s he did multiple experiments looking at short term and long-term memory.
In 1974 development by Baddeley of WMM to show that the STM is much more complex than proposed by Atkinson and Shiffrin in 1968. This has been added to by Baddeley over the years with addition of episodic buffer showing development of psychological knowledge and understanding over time. In a similar way, Tulving in 1972 demonstrated that LTM is more complex than proposed by Atkinson and Shiffrin and proposed semantic, episodic and procedural memory.
Sebastian and Hernandez Gil looked at memory span in 2012 using both MSM and WMM as background for their research showing that knowledge is still useful years later to develop further knowledge.
Biological
Brain structures can now be measured using scanning techniques whereas in the past Psychology relied on autopsies for investigation of differences in brain structure and function could not be displayed.
Scanning techniques have also developed with fMRI and PET achieving a level of detail not possible with CAT and MRI showing development of technology over time to assist in Psychological theory and development of knowledge and understanding.
Development of the ability to map the human genome has helped psychological understanding as but research in previously reliance on twin studies to investigate a genetic link for behaviours.
Early treatments for psychology conditions included trepanning, which is boring a hole in the skull with the intention of letting ‘evil spirits’ out. However, nowadays, trepanning is only done in emergencies to relive swelling on the brain, and is based on reliable information from brain scans, such as CAT or MRI, that show clearly what is going on within the skull.
Learning
Development of learning theories over time starting with Pavlov in 1908 focussed on stimulus response only. Then in 1940’s Skinner developed this by stressing the importance of reinforcement and punishment and then in the 1960’s Bandura emphasised cognitive factors in Social Learning Theory. These theories show development of psychological understanding over time in relation to the importance of the environment on learning and behaviour.
Clinical
Changes in the DSM over time to help our understanding of diagnosis of mental health disorders. In 1974 DSM-11 removed homosexuality as a category of disorder. DSM-V has not continued with the previous multi-axial system and introducing Section III which uses diagnostic criteria and codes more in line with the ICD system this shows that this diagnostic tool has developed over time often in with social change and so continues to aid understanding of mental health disorders over time.
Dopamine Hypothesis developed in 1950’s to explain schizophrenia by Carlsson. He has continued to develop our understanding of influence of neurotransmitters on schizophrenia and research done by Carlsson in 2000 show influence of other neurotransmitters such as glutamate showing that knowledge is still developing overtime.
Older medical treatments for schizophrenia came in the form of typical antipsychotics such as chlorpromazine and haloperidol but the reported side effects led to the development of atypical neuroleptics like clozapine and olanzapine, which have fewer side effects and are more likely to be used regularly as a result.
Child
Attachment theory by Mary Ainsworth proposed in 1970. Further research by Van Ijzendoorn (1988) and Cassiba et al (2013) has shown development of knowledge and understanding over time as it has been shown how cultural factors can influence attachments not only the responsiveness of mother to infant.
