L2A - History and Paradigms 2 Flashcards
Paradigms=
Pre-existing frame of reference that is shared with others and includes
The 5 Paradigms in Contemporary Psychology:
Scientific paradigms (testable)
- Behavioural
- Cognitive (Current dominant paradigm)
- Biological
Non-scientific paradigms (untestable)
- Psychodynamic
- Humanistic
The Behavioural Paradigm:
General definition:
- The scientific study of behaviour
Focal topics:
- Learning
Methods:
- Experimental (mostly animal)
Language and concepts:
- Stimulus, response, conditioning, reinforcement, shaping
Root Metaphor:
- Lump of clay/Blank slate – All differences in behaviour are due to learnings
The Cognitive Paradigm
General definition of field__:
- The scientific study of mental processes (as shown in behaviour)
Specific focal topics:
- Perception, attention, memory, thinking
Methods:
- Experimental (mostly human)
Language and Concepts:
- Input, output, codes, serial processing, memory stores
Root metaphor:
- Programmed computer – we can track how information changes
Intellectual Influences
- Prior: Mentalism, behaviourism
- Contemporary: Computer science, especially Artificial Intelligence
The Biological Paradigm:
General definition of field__:
- The scientific study of the biological basis of behaviour
Specific focal topics:
- Similar to behavioural and cognitive
Methods:
- Experimental (where possible: Sometimes, ideal experiments aren’t ethical), case study, correlation
Language and concepts:
- Biological terms (brain anatomy), behavioural and cognitive terms
Root metaphor:
- Biological machine: “While we are made up biologically, our parts are put together in a mechanical way”
Intellectual influences
- Prior: Behaviourism
- Contemporary: Neuro-anatomy and physiology, cognitive perspectives
The Psychodynamic Paradigm:
General definition of field__:
- Study of conscious and unconscious processes as shown in mental illness (they believe unconscious processes are more powerful)
Specific focal topics:
- Mental illness (coming from a ‘healer’ perspective)
Methods:
- Case history
Language and concepts:
- Ego (inner adult), Id (inner child), Superego (inner parent), defence mechanisms: projection, rejection
Root Metaphor:
- Surface (mental illness), deeper (fluid dynamics)
Intellectual influences
- Prior: philosophy
- Contemporary: Victorian culture, medicine, Darwinian struggle to survive
- Developed by freud – has a very sexual focus
- Not strictly a science
The Humanistic Paradigm:
General definition of the field:
- The study of conscious human experience
Specific focal topics:
- Individual awareness, conscious choices, well-being
Methods:
- Case history
Language and concepts:
- Personal growth, self-actualisation, awareness, transcendence, free-will, human potential
Root metaphor:
- Growth (in response to issues)
Intellectual influences
- Prior: Psychodynamic, behavioural
- Contemporary: 1960’s culture, existentialism, “eastern” philosophies
- Anti-scientific often
- Very people/individuality focused
- Most psychologists nowadays are psychodynamic or humanistic
Behavioural approache to Depression:
Perspective:
- Depressed or ↓ rate of behaviour (sleeping, appetite, exercise, social isolation) = ↓ Rewards
Management approach:
- Increase/shape behaviour by rewarding behaviour [Immediate]
Cognitive approach to Depression:
Perspective
- Pervasive, negative automatic thinking or self- efficacy (what I do might lead to something bad) (e.g. won’t go because I won’t have a good time)
Management approach
- Identify and address negative thought processes [Immediate]
Biological approach to Depression:
Perspective
- Underactive brain areas/neurotransmitter systems
Management approach
- Medications to ↑ activation of the systems (e.g. serotonin, dopamine) [Slow (month)]
Psychodynamic approaches to Depression:
Perspective:
- Subconscious forces are causing depression (e.g. repressed anger)
Management approach:
- Provide individual with greater insight into these forces so that they may eventually become balanced [Very slow]
Humanistic approach to Depression:
Perspective:
- Related to experiences and choices that were made by the individual (e.g. depression started when uni began)
Management approach:
- Counsel that depression is a natural prompt to make different choices/change direction in life (optimistic) [Immediate]
