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Approaches Flashcards

(47 cards)

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1
Q

Wundt and introspection

A

Set up first psych labs in 1870s

Introspection : systematic analysis of your own conscious experience of a stimulus

1) focus on stimulus
2) reflect on different mental processes
3)description of inner processes
4)compare different participants

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2
Q

Emergence of psychology as a science

A

Empirical approach through direct experience

Pavlov and skinner developed behaviourist approach - observable learned behaviour

Rise of cognitive in 60s saw study of mental processes more scientific

1980s - biological approach - advances in tech e.g. fMRI and EEGs

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3
Q

Behaviourist approach

A

Stimulus-response learning

Classical conditioning - Pavlov - learning by association with dogs

Operant conditioning - Skinner - learning by reinforcement with rats in ‘skinner boxes’
Positive reinforcement - treat when press lever
Extinction - treats stop so rats stop pressing lever
Negative reinforcement - perform same behaviour to avoid mild electric current beneath feet

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4
Q

S - behaviourist

A

STRENGTH

Observable and measurable

Highly controlled

Empirical evidence

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5
Q

P - behaviourist

A

STRENGTH

Systematic desensitisation- successful phobia treatment

McGrath - 75% success

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6
Q

R - behaviourist

A

WEAKNESS

Reduces human behaviour down to specific variables

Environmental - no biological E.g. twin studies

Requires more holistic

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7
Q

E - behaviourist

A

WEAKNESS

Animal studies e.g. Pavlov and skinner

Humans may be able to control behaviour more effectively in response to external factors

Limited in ability to explain human behaviour

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8
Q

D - behaviourist

A

WEAKNESS

Environmental determinism - factors outside of control

Doesn’t explain why we all react differently to same environment e.g. two people experience similar frightening experience, won’t both necessarily develop phobia

Ignores free will

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9
Q

Social learning theory

A

Bandura - learn indirectly through observation and imitation

Vicarious reinforcement

Identification and modelling - possess similar characteristics, attractive, high status

Mediational processes - attention, retention, reproduction, motivation

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10
Q

Bobo doll experiment

A

Aim - see if role models influence behaviour

Procedure - half shown aggressive and other half shown non-aggressive and then taken to room with toys and behaviour rated on scale of aggression

Findings - half shown aggressive reproduced aggression onto bobo doll whereas those shown non-aggressive didn’t show aggression
Also greater imitation when model was same gender

Conclusion - aggressive model leads to aggressive behaviour - level of imitation affected by characteristics

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11
Q

S - SLT

A

STRENGTH

Observable and measurable

E.g. Bandura bobo doll was highly controlled

Empirical evidence

HOWEVER

Mediational processes can to be observed and must be inferred

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12
Q

P - SLT

A

STRENGTH

Concepts like identification and modelling used to encourage positive behaviour

Pro social ads e.g. anti alcohol

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13
Q

R - SLT

A

STRENGTH

Incorporates internal cognitive factors and how they interact with environment

E.g. identification and modelling

May still ignore biological however it is more holistic than behaviourist

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14
Q

E - SLT

A

WEAKNESS

Influenced by demand characteristics

E.g. argued that main purpose of bobo doll is to strike it

May be based on flawed evidence

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15
Q

D - SLT

A

STRENGTH

Less determinist than behaviourist - doesn’t suggest that behaviour is caused totally by factors outside of control

Do have some ability to mediate

Middle ground between determinism and free will

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16
Q

Cognitive approach

A

Internal mental processes - studied indirectly by making inferences

Theoretical and computer models e.g. MSM

schema - mental frameworks of ideas or expectations developed through experience - act as shortcuts but can distort interpretations of the world with stereotypes

Cognitive neuroscience - scientific study of the biological structures and functions that underpin cognitive processes - fMRI and PET scans e.g. Tulving LTM

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17
Q

S - cognitive

A

STRENGTH

Observable and measurable

E.g. lab experiments and emergence of cognitive neuroscience enabled researchers to infer cognitive processes

Empirical

HOWEVER

Inferences could be mistaken

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18
Q

P - cognitive

A

STRENGTH

CBT - March - just as effective as drugs when treating depression

Cognitive neuroscience - localisation of function e.g. memory

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19
Q

R - Cognitive

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A

WEAKNESS

Reduces human behaviour down to level of computer

Ignores role of human emotion e.g. EWT - anxiety affects memory

Machine reductionism - requires more holistic

20
Q

E - cognitive

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A

WEAKNESS

lacks ecological validity

E.g. memory evidence uses meaningless materials - random word or digit lists

Flawed evidence

21
Q

D - cognitive

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A

STRENGTH

Less determinist than others - doesn’t suggest behaviour is totally caused by factors outside of control

E.g. free to think before responding to stimulus

Soft determinism - middle ground

22
Q

Biological approach

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A

Physical structures and processes in brain

Genetic basis of behaviour - concordance rates between twins - MZ have higher than DZ

genotypes and phenotypes - influenced by environmental

Neurochemistry - neurotransmitters affect behaviour

Localisation of function

Natural selection

23
Q

S - biological

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A

STRENGTH

Observable and measurable

Brain scans highly controlled

Empirical evidence

24
Q

P - biological

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A

STRENGTH

drug therapy

Soomro - SSRIs more effective than placebos in treating OCD

25
R - biological
WEAKNESS reduces behaviour down to biological and ignores environmental E.g. studies by Pavlov skinner and bandura show behaviours are learned Limited and over simplifying - requires more holistic explanation
26
E - Biological
WEAKNESS Struggle to disentangle nature and nurture Twins and members of same family share same environment so unclear whether behaviour is biologically determined or environmentally May be based on flawed evidence
27
D - biological
WEAKNESS Suggests behaviour is caused by factors outside of our control Biological determinism - doesn’t explain MZ twins don’t always have 100% concordance rates e.g. 68% for OCD Ignores free will
28
Psychodynamic approach
Freud - Behaviour is explained by unconscious mind Personality - tripartite Id- pleasure principle - selfish Ego - reality principle - mediator - reduces conflict by defence mechanisms Superego - morality principle - based on moral standards of same sex parent - punishes the ego for wrongdoings through guilt Defence mechanisms Repression Denial Displacement - transfer feelings from true source of distress onto substitute Psychosexual Stages - any unresolved conflict leads to becoming fixated Oral - 0-2 - leads to smoking or nail biting Anal - 2-3 - anally retentive or expulsive Phallic - 3-6 - Oedipus and Electra - narcissism Latency - 6-12 - conflicts are repressed Genital - 12+ - sexual desires become conscious during puberty
29
S - psychodynamic
WEAKNESS Not observable and measurable Abstract concepts such as id, ego, superego cannot be falsified No empirical evidence
30
P - psychodynamic
STRENGTH Psychoanalysis - aims to access unconscious mind Successful in treating phobias
31
R - psychodynamic
STRENGTH Less reductionist than others Argues other factors play a role E.g. instinctive drives and upbringing (nature and nurture) More holistic than others
32
E - psychodynamic
WEAKNESS Case studies e.g. Little Hans - phobia of horses - Freud argued repressed and displaced fear of father Not generalisable so may be flawed
33
D - psychodynamic
WEAKNESS Suggests behaviour is caused by factors outside of control Known as psychic determinism - many argue that we have more conscious control than Freud suggests Ignores free will
34
Humanistic approach
Behaviour is explained in terms of free will Maslows hierarchy of needs - realise our true potential Five levelled sequence ( physiological, safety, love and belonging, esteem, self actualisation) Morality, creativity spontaneity, problem solving, lack of prejudice, Self congruence Conditions of worth - Rogers - lack of unconditional possible regard as child Counselling psychology Show empathy and provide unconditional positive regard Dissolves conditions of worth and increase self congruence
35
S - humanistic
WEAKNESS Not Observable and measurable Abstract concepts such as self actualisation and congruence are unfalsifiable No empirical evidence
36
P - humanistic
STRENGTH Revolutionised counselling Counsellors use the client-centred approach and similar ideas are used in schools and social work
37
R - humanistic
STRENGTH Avoids reducing behaviour down to specific variables E.g. argues that person can only be understood by considering whole person Doesn’t oversimplify - holistic
38
E - humanistic
WEAKNESS Non-experimental methods so impossible to verify results of counselling - uses more qualitative such as interviews Lacks objectivity
39
D - humanistic
WEAKNESS rejects determinism - active agents with free will Ignores role of factors outside of our control e.g. biological Need a more reasonable position between determinism and free will - middle ground
40
Value and contribution to science - Wundt
1870s 1st psych lab Pulled away from philosophy and made subject of its own right
41
Value and contribution to science - Psychodynamic
1896 - Freud Understanding unconscious mind Explained personality and effect of childhood Psychoanalysis
42
Value and contribution to science - behaviourist
1913 - Skinner and Pavlov More scientific and observable Animal studies Falsifiable Systematic desensitisation
43
Value and contribution to science - humanistic
1950s - Maslow and Rogers Positivity Counselling
44
Value and contribution to science - SLT
1961 - Bandura Pro social ads Middle ground for determinism Interaction between environment and internal processes
45
Value and contribution to science - cognitive
1960s Theoretical models e.g. MSM CBT Scientific
46
Value and contribution to science - biological
1980s SSRIs Development in medicine and tech Nature - rejects nurture
47
Value and contribution to science - cognitive neuroscience
1990s Bridge between biological and cognitive

Psychology (7 decks)

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