Approaches

Question 1

What are 3 key assumptions of the behaviourist approach

Answer 1

-Only interested in behaviour that can be observed and measured.

-All behaviour is learnt (Tabula rasa)

-Basic mental processes for learning are the same in a species.

Question 2

What are the two forms of learning identified by the behaviourist approach

Answer 2

-Classical conditioning
-Operant conditioning

Question 3

What is classical conditioning

Answer 3

Learning through association.

Question 4

Who is the researcher and the research for classical conditioning

Answer 4

Pavlovs dogs:
-Dogs were conditioned to salivate when hearing a bell by being fed the same time a bell rung (continuously)

Food = unconditioned stimulus
salivation = unconditioned response
Bell = neutral stimulus
Bell + Food = salivation (during conditioning)
Bell = conditioned stimulus
salivation = conditioned response

Question 5

What is operant conditioning

Answer 5

Behaviour is shaped by consequences
Reward, avoidance and punishment

Question 6

Who is the researcher and the research for operant conditioning

Answer 6

Skinners rats:

Positive reinforcement = Rat is given food every time they pressed the lever

Negative reinforcement = Pressing the lever leads to avoidance of electric shock

Punishment = An unpleasant consequence to a behaviour (finding a way to avoid it would be negative reinforcement)

Question 7

Give one strength and one limitation of the behaviourist approach

Answer 7

Well controlled research = controlled lab settings allowing cause and effect relationships to be established

Deterministic = doesn’t acknowledge free will as it believes all behaviour is the result of reinforcement.

Question 8

What are the key assumptions of Social learning theory

Answer 8

-Through imitation behaviour is learnt

Question 9

are the 3 main parts of Social learning theory

Answer 9

-Vicarious reinforcement
-Mediational processes
-Identification

Question 10

What is vicarious reinforcement? in SLT

Answer 10

Individual observes behaviour of others (more importantly the consequences) and if they are rewarded are more likely to “imitate”

Question 11

What are the 4 mediational processes in Social learning theory

Answer 11

Attention
Retention
Reproduction
Motivation

(ARRM)

Question 12

What is identification in SLT

Answer 12

People are likely to imitate those they identify with, this person being called a “role model”
-The process of imitating is called modelling

Question 13

Who research and the researcher of social learning theory

Answer 13

Banduras bobo doll:

Study A = Children watched a video of adults acting aggressively to a bobo doll

Study B = Children watched a video of adults acting aggressively to a bobo doll,
-one group saw them being praised and
- second group saw them being punished
-third saw aggression with no consequence.

Question 14

Give one strength and one limitation of social learning theory

Answer 14

Real world application = Apply it to Gender SLT (F&F)

Hawthorne effect = observation can lead to demand characteristics, children may be acting in way they thought was expected of them.

Question 15

What are the key assumptions of the cognitive approach

Answer 15

Internal mental processes such as memory, perception and thinking is what causes behaviour

-Cant test this so they make inferences about what is going on in peoples heads

Question 16

What is the role of schema in the cognitive approach

Answer 16

Schema = Packages of information developed from experience.

-Depending on this schema is how we approach situations

Question 17

What are theoretical models in the cognitive approach

Answer 17

Information processing approach = Information flows through the cognitive system in stages, including input, storage and retrieval. (multi store model)

Question 18

What are computer models in the cognitive approach

Answer 18

Using computer programming to see if instructions produce a similar output to humans

-suggests similar processes are going on in the human mind

Question 19

What is one strength and one limitation of the cognitive approach

Answer 19

Real world application = The development of AI and “thinking robots”

Reductionism, humans feel emotion and computers don’t (e.g. anxiety)

Question 20

What are the key assumptions of the biological approach

Answer 20

-All thoughts, feelings and behaviour are directly from biological processes

Question 21

What are neurotransmitters in the biological approach

Answer 21

-Behaviour relies on chemicals in the brain (neurotransmitters)

-An imbalance can explain mental illness e.g
OCD and serotonin

Question 22

What is the genetic basis of the biological approach

Answer 22

Twin studies = used to investigate whether psychological characteristics have a genetic basis

Concordance rates = The extent at which twins share the same characteristics

-If a characteristic is genetic Monozygotic twins would have 100% concordance

Question 23

What is genotype and phenotype in the biological approach

Answer 23

Genotype = Genetic make up
Phenotype = is created from how these genes interact with the environment

Many biologists understand behaviour is make up of both nature and nurture.

Question 24

What is evolution in the biological approach

Answer 24

Darwin = natural selection, Any genetic behaviour that enhances a persons survival will continue in future generations

Question 25

Give one strength and one limitation of the biological approach

Answer 25

Real world application = Neurotransmitters applied to behaviour is used in schizophrenia biological determinism = Assumes all behaviour has the origin of genes

Question 26

What are the main assumptions of the psychodynamic approach

Answer 26

The unconscious mind determines behaviour

Question 27

What is the structure of the personality according to Freud in the psychodynamic approach

Answer 27

ID = pleasure principle, Primitive part that acts on desire (present from birth and entirely unconscious) Ego = Reality principle, that mediates between the two. Superego = Morality principle, formed at the phallic stage and punishes the ego for wrongdoing.

Question 28

What are the psychosexual stages in the psychodynamic approach

Answer 28

Oral Anal Phallic Latency Genital

Question 29

What is the first stage of Freuds psychosexual stages

Answer 29

Oral = developed at 0-1 years -Focuses on pleasure of the mouth Later life if not resolved = smoking, biting nails

Question 30

What is the second stage of Freuds psychosexual stages

Answer 30

Anal = developed at 1-3 years -Focuses on pleasure of expelling faeces Later life if not resolved = Anal retentive (perfectionist) Anal expulsive (messy)

Question 31

What is the third stage of Freuds psychosexual stages

Answer 31

Phallic = developed at 3-6 years -Oedipus and Electra complex Later life if not resolved = narcissistic, reckless

Question 32

What is the fourth stage of Freuds psychosexual stages

Answer 32

Latency = Earlier conflicts are repressed

Question 33

What is the fifth stage of Freuds psychosexual stages

Answer 33

Genital = sexual desires become conscious alongside puberty Later life if not resolved = difficulty forming relationships

Question 34

What are the 3 defence mechanisms in the psychodynamic approach and where do they originate from

Answer 34

The ego has difficulty balancing the demands of the id and superego -so forms unconscious coping skills to prevent us from getting overwhelmed -Repression -Denial -Displacement

Question 35

Give 2 limitations of freuds theories

Answer 35

Untestable = cant be falsified or empirically tested Little Hans = case study which is subjective

Question 36

What are the key assumptions of the humanistic approach

Answer 36

-Emphasises the importance of personal experience and each persons capacity to grow.

Question 37

What is the role of free will in the humanistic approach

Answer 37

Humans can make choices and are not determined by internal biological or external forces although they may contribute.

Question 38

What does Maslow's hierarchy of needs state?

Answer 38

Level 5 = Physiological needs e.g. Water, food warmth Level 4 = Security and safety Level 3 = Love and belongingness Level 2 = Self esteem e.g acomplishment Level 1 = self actualisation All lower levels need to be completed to reach self actualsation

Question 39

Who proposed the self, congruence and conditions of worth

Answer 39

Rogers: For personal growth to be achieved an individuals real self must be congruent with their ideal self -He claimed many issues of self esteem in adulthood are formed from a lack of unconditional love in childhood -A parent who presents conditions of worth "i will only love you if" will bring up future problems for that child.

Question 40

What are 2 strengths of the humanistic approach

Answer 40

Not reductionist= its holistic as it shows the enitrity of a person not just one factor Positive approach = Optimistic and offers a refreshing way to progress (free will)

Question 41

What is one limitation of the humanistic approach

Answer 41

Cultural bias = emphasises the individualistic western culture of personal growth When in collectivist cultures such as India emphasise community