approaches

Question 1

define the biological approach.

Answer 1

biological approach views humans as biological organisms and provides biological explanations of all aspects of psychological functioning.

Question 2

how do genes influence behaviour.

Answer 2

genes are passed down from one generation to the next. genes carry instructions for particular characteristics. how characteristics develop is partly influenced by environment

Question 3

define genotype

Answer 3

genetic code written in an individuals dna

Question 4

define phenotype

Answer 4

physical appearance that results from this inherited information

Question 5

Name two biological structures that influence behaviour

Answer 5

nervous system and the brain

Question 6

What does the nervous system do?

Answer 6

carries messages from one part of the body to another using individual nerve cells called neurons.

Question 7

how does neurochemistry influence behaviour?

Answer 7

nerve impulses release a neurotransmitter. neurotransmitters either trigger or inhibit nerve impulses

Question 8

what is an excitatory neurotransmitter?

Answer 8

a nerve impulse that stimulates the brain into action

Question 9

what is an inhibitory neurotransmitter?

Answer 9

nerve impulse that calms the brain

Question 10

define hormones

Answer 10

hormones are chemicals that are produced by endocrine glands eg the pituitary gland.

Question 11

what are the four lobes in the brain?

Answer 11

frontal lobe
temporal lobe
parietal lobe
occipital lobe

Question 12

state an evaluative point for the biological approach. method of research.

Answer 12

uses scientific method, highly controlled environment. other researcher are able to replicate rearward studies. adds validity if research can be reproduced adds validity.

Question 13

state an evaluative point of the biological approach. application

Answer 13

application of the biological research in the real world. research into the role of neurochemical imbalance in depression has led to effective drug treatment.

Question 14

state a evaluative point for the biological approach. evolutionary.

Answer 14

a problem for evolutionary explanations is that human behaviour can evolve through either genetic or cultural routes, the biological explanation may have limited explanatory power.

Question 15

state an evaluative point for the biological approach. dangers of genetic explanations .

Answer 15

rearward suggesting a genetic basis for criminal behaviour has led to concerns about how this information might be used. could lead to discrimination

Question 16

what is the basic assumption of the psychodynamic approach.

Answer 16

behaviour is determined by psychological factors, people are brown with basic instincts and needs and that behaviour is in large part controlled by the unconscious mind.

Question 17

define the id

Answer 17

operates solely in the unconscious. contains the libido. demands immediate gratification regardless of circumstances.

Question 18

define the ego

Answer 18

mediated between the impulsive demands of the id and the moralistic demands of the superego.

Question 19

define the superego.

Answer 19

internalisation of societal rules, determines which behaviour is acceptable and causes feelings of guilt when rules are broken

Question 20

what are defence mechanisms ?

Answer 20

if an individual is faced with a situation you are unable to deal with defence mechanisms may be triggered, these stop the individuals becoming aware of the unpleasant thoughts.

Question 21

name 3 defence mechanisms.

Answer 21

repression, unconscious blocking
denial, refusal to accept reality
displacement, redirecting of thoughts or feelings

Question 22

what are the psychosexual stages?

Answer 22

freud created a stage theory that shows the development of personality and emphasises the importance of releasing sexual energy.

Question 23

what is the first stage of the psychosexual stage theory?

Answer 23

oral- 0-2 years. mouth is focal point of sensation.

Question 24

what is the second stage of the psychosexual stage theory?

Answer 24

anal- 2-3 years. beginning of ego development. becomes aware of control. toilet training as the child learns to control expulsion of bodily waste

Question 25

what is the third stage of the psychosexual stage theory?

Answer 25

phallic- 2-3years. energy is focused on genitals. oedipus complex may form. unconscious wish to posses mother and rid the father. child thinks father is aware of this thought and identifies with the father to try and resolve this.

Question 26

what is the fourth stage of the psychosexual stage theory?

Answer 26

latent-6-12 years. child develops mastery of the world. conflict and issues of previous stages are repressed therefore child is unable to remember much of their early years.

Question 27

what is the last stage of the psychosexual stage theory?

Answer 27

genital- 12+. fixing of sexual energy in the genitals. eventually the w every settles towards sexual inter course and beginning of adult life.

Question 28

state an evaluative point for the psychodynamic approach. pioneering approach

Answer 28

psychoanalysis as an explanation of human behaviour represented a dramatic shift in psychological thinking. suggests new methodological procedures for gathering evidence.

Question 29

state an evaluative point for the psychodynamic approach. scientific support

Answer 29

critics claim that there is no scientific evidence for the psychoanalysis. Fisher and Greenberg summarised 2,500 studies and concluded that experimental studies of psychoanalysis compare well with studies relevant to any other major area of psychology.

Question 30

state an evaluative point for the psychodynamic approach. gender bias

Answer 30

freuds views of women and femal sexuality were less developed than his views on male sexuality. problematic bc freud treated many female patients .

Question 31

state an evaluative point for the psychodynamic approach. culture biased

Answer 31

critics argue that psychoanalysis has little relevance for people from non western cultures. eg in china if you are depressed you avoid thoughts rather than discuss them

Question 32

what is the basic assumption of the humanistic approach.

Answer 32

focuses on conscious experience rather than behaviour and it emphasises that people have full conscious control over their own destiny. “free will”

Question 33

state maslow hierarchy of needs.

Answer 33

``` self actualisation esteem love/ belonging safety physiological ```

Question 34

what is congruence?

Answer 34

if there is a similarity between a persons ideal self and self image, a state of congruence exists.

Question 35

define introspection

Answer 35

the process by which a person gains knowledge about their own mental and emotion states as a result of observation of their conscious thoughts and feelings

Question 36

define empiricism

Answer 36

the belief that all knowledge is derived from sensory experience

Question 37

who is wilhelm wundt?

Answer 37

first person to call himself a psychologist

Question 38

what were the mains aspects of wudnts belief?

Answer 38

all aspects of nature, including the human mind could be studied scientifically break down behaviours such as sensation and perception into their basic elements

Question 39

what was the new scientific approach two based assumption ?

Answer 39

all behaviour is seen as being caused and if behaviour is determined it should be possible to predict how humans behave

Question 40

define scientific method

Answer 40

refers to the use of investigative methods that are objective, systematic and replicable, and the formulation, testing and modification of hypotheses based on these methods

Question 41

state a criticism of wundts methods.

Answer 41

unreliable, approach relies on primarily no observable responses. lack of reliability of his methods

Question 42

evaluate the use of the scientific approach in wundts emergence of science.

Answer 42

relies on objective and systematic methods of observation. able to establish the causes of behaviour through methods that are empirical and replicable

Question 43

evaluate introspection

Answer 43

Nisbett claims that we have very little knowledge of the causes and processes underlying our behaviour and attitudes.self reports through introspection do not uncover implicit attitudes and behaviours

Question 44

basic assumption of the behaviourist approach.

Answer 44

focuses on observable events labelled as learning theory as behaviourist belief that much of human behaviour could be explained through learning known as conditioning

Question 45

what did pavlova research find?

Answer 45

discovered classical conditioning. found that UCS with UCR NS+ UCS= UCR CS= CR

Question 46

evaluate classical conditioning. RWA

Answer 46

applied in developement of treatment for the reduction of anxiety associated with various phobias

Question 47

add another evaluation for classical conditioning

Answer 47

CS and UCS are more difficult to establish. CC may be more appropriate in the learning of specific types of association.

Question 48

what is positive reinforcement

Answer 48

behaviour produces consequence that is satisfying

Question 49

what is negative reinforcement

Answer 49

remove something unpleasant

Question 50

what is skinners study

Answer 50

rat in box presses lever food is dispensed rat receives positive reinforcement of food so it does it again

Question 51

strength of skinner. experimental

Answer 51

uses experimental method, able to establish cause and effect

Question 52

limitation of skinner. human

Answer 52

over reliance on non human research. humans have free will, animals don’t. skinner claims humans don’t have free will merely an illusion