Approaches descriptions Flashcards
Introspection
- first systematic, experimental attempt to study the mind by breaking up conscious awareness into basic structures of thoughts, images and sensations
Wundt
-father of psychology
-lab in Germany, studied aspects of behaviour that could only be done under strictly controlled, experimental conditions
-examined structure of the mind by breaking down behaviours (structuralism + introspection technique)
-pps would attempt to record their thoughts and break down their responses
-pps shown an image and described inner processes they experienced whilst looking at the image
Emergence of psychology as a science
-Watson (behaviourist) questioned scientific status and value of introspection because it didn’t produce objective data
-Watson believed only objectively measurable behaviour should be studied
-Watson and Skinner introduced scientific methods using lab experiments with high levels of control so could be repeated easily
-Biological and cognitive approaches use scientific method
Learning approach assumptions
-psychology should be seen as science, theories supported by evidence
-psychologists should only study observable behaviour
-people have no free will- environment determines behaviour
-when born our mind is a clean slate
-little difference between animal and human learning
Classical conditioning
(approach, definition, research)
Learning approach- behaviourist
Learning through association
Pavlov
-dog UCR to food (UCS) was to salivate
- Pavlov paired food with a bell (NS) to give a conditioned response of salivation even without foo
Operant conditioning
(approach, definition, research)
Learning approach- behaviourist
Learning through reinforcement
Skinner
-experimented on rats in specially designed Skinner’s boxes
-Every time rat activated lever, rewarded with food
-rats repeated the behaviour
-also showed how rats can be conditioned to avoid negative consequences eg. electric shock
Social learning theory
Bandura
-believed we learn directly through operant + classical conditioning
-but also learn indirectly by observing + imitating others if rewarded for their behaviour = vicarious reinforcement
-Modelling- in order for social learning to take place, someone must model the behaviour. Can be live models eg. parents or symbolic eg. celebrities
-Identification- extent to which person relates to the model. In order for this, observers must feel similar enough to them
4 mediational processes
Bandura
1. Attention- extent to which we notice certain behaviours
2. Retention- how well the behaviour is remembered
3. Motor reproduction- ability of the observer to perform the behaviour
4. Motivation- will to perform behaviour, often depends on if the behaviour was rewarded or punished
Bobo doll
Bandura
-recorded behaviour of children who saw adults behave aggressively towards bobo doll
-adult hit doll with hammer and shouted abuse at it
-when children observed later, their play was much more agrressive towards bobo doll compared to those who had watched a non-aggressive adult
Bandura + Walters
-showed videos of adult acting aggressively toward bobo doll
-one group saw adult praised for behaviour
-another saw adult punished for behaviour
-when given own bobo doll, first group more aggressive than second group
Schemas
-cognitive approach
-package of ideas or information developed through experience
-allows us to take cognitive shortcuts when introduced to new environments
-schemas can contribute to stereotypes
-as experiences happen, new schemas developed or old schemas modified
Research evidence for schema
Cognitive approach
Bugelski + Alampay, rat-man study
-2 groups pps shown sequence of pictures either animals or faces
-Then shown ambiguous picture of rat-man
-pps who saw faces more likely to perceive image as a man
-pps who saw animals more likely to perceive image as a rat
Theoretical and computer models
-cognitive approach
Theoretical models
- way to study internal processes
-eg. information processing approach where information flows through cognitive system in sequence of stages like MSM
Computer models
-compare human mind to computer, similarities in the way information is processed
-use the concept of CPU (brain), the use of coding to turn information into usable format and use of stores to hold information
Emergence of cognitive neuroscience
Cognitive approach
-scientific study of how the brain structures affect mental processes
-eg. Broca found area in frontal lobe which when damaged affected ability to speak
-brain scanning techniques are used to identify specifc areas of the brain responsible for specific task eg. fMRI + PET scans
-also useful in establishing neurological basis of mental disorders eg. parahippocampal gyrus functions abnormally in OCD sufferers
-Surgeon can place electrode on brain whilst patient is awake, while the patient describes what they feel or think
-also computer generated models, which has led to brain mapping techniques called brain fingerprinting. This could be used to see if witnesses are lying in court
Genotype-
Phenotype-
Biological approach
-genetic code written in DNA of cells
-Behaviour and physical structure of an individual arising from interaction between genotype and environment
Biological approach
-Twin studies, DZ and MZ concordance rates. If not 100%, environment must play a role
-Evolution-individuals had to compete for resources, fittest survived, advantageous behaviours passed on to next generation
-Neurochemistry- levels of neurotransmitters can affect mood and behaviour, can cause mental illnesses eg. schizophrenia due to too much dopamine
-Hormones- hormones cause physiological reactions in cells, altering their activity. Supported by Carre who found ice hockey players had higher testosterone when playing at home stadium, suggesting hormone energised them to defend home territory
