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Approaches Flashcards

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1
Q

Early philosophical roots

A

Locke - empiricism: all experience can be obtained through the senses > forms basis
Darwin - evolutionary theory: all behaviour has changed over generations > more adaptive genes survive & reproduce

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2
Q

Wundt

A

First ever lab dedicated to psychological enquiry opened by Wundt
Father of Psychology
Structuralism: braking down thoughts, images; feelings

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3
Q

Introspection

A

Looking into the human mind. Ptpts asked to reflect on own cog processes; describe them

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4
Q

Psych as a science: 4 goals

A
  1. Description - what occurred
  2. Explanation - why it occurred
  3. Prediction - likely to occur
  4. Change - altering what occurred
    Use of scientific methods
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5
Q

Introspection/psych as a science AO3

A

+ Psych as a science focuses on being objective; conducting research in strictly controlled environments
- Introspection provides subjective data

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6
Q

Behaviourism assumptions

A

Explaining behaviour in terms of what is observable
Determined through experience
Blank slates

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7
Q

Classical conditioning

A

Learning through association

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8
Q

Pavlov’s study

A

UCS > UCR
food salivation
NS > NR
bell
UCS + NS > UCR
food bell salivation
CS > CR
bell salivation

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9
Q

Operant conditioning

A

Learning through reinforcement
Pos & neg reinforcement increase likelihood of repeating behaviour. Punishment decreases

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10
Q

Positive reinforcement

A

Receiving reward when certain behaviour performed

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11
Q

Negative reinforcement

A

Avoiding something unpleasant

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12
Q

Punishment

A

Unpleasant consequence

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13
Q

Skinner’s study

A

Every time rat activated a lever in the box = rewarded with food pellet
Would continue to perform behaviour

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14
Q

Behaviourism AO3 1: RWA

A

+ Token economy systems in prisons/institutions. Exchanging tokens for rewards to improve behaviour

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15
Q

Behaviourism AO3 2: Support for classical

A

+ Little Albert - conditioned to fear rats through noise
UCS > UCR
noise fear
NS > NR
rat
UCS + NS > UCR
noise rat fear
CS > CR
rat fear

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16
Q

Behaviourism AO3 3: Scientific credibility

A

+ Focuses on measurement of observable behaviour in highly controlled lab settings
Objectivity & replication emphasised
Nomothetic

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17
Q

Behaviourism AO3 4: Environmentally deterministic

A
  • Sees all behaviour as determined by experiences. Ignores influences of free will
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18
Q

Social Learning Theory assumptions

A

Behaviour is learned through observation & imitation of behaviour from those around us
Can be direct/indirect

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19
Q

Vicarious reinforcement

A

Indirect - observing behaviour of others
May imitate but only if behaviour is rewarded
Observes consequences

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20
Q

Mediational processes

A
  1. Attention - extent to which we notice behaviour
  2. Retention - how well it is remembered
  3. Motor reproduction - ability to perform
  4. Motivation - will to perform
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21
Q

Identification

A

Role models
Similar characteristics to learners
More likely to imitate if they identify with them

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22
Q

SLT AO3 1: Supporting research

A

+ Bandura
A saw praise for abusing doll
B saw punishment
C saw no response
(F) group A most likely to imitate, then C, then B

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23
Q

SLT AO3 2: Underestimates influence of biological factors

A
  • Consistent findings in bobo exp = boys more aggressive than girls
    May be explained by hormones (diff in level of testosterone - increased aggression)
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24
Q

SLT AO3 3: RWA

A

+ Copycat killings; criminal activity understanding
Observing someone engaging in crime makes someone more likely
E.g., James Bulger killers & Childs Play 3

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25
SLT AO3 4: Problems with causality
- Other factors may be involved, e.g., deprivation likely to influence engagement in crime
26
Cognitive assumptions
Argues internal mental processes should be scientifically studied Investigates areas neglected by behaviourists Private processes; cannot be observed
27
Brain and computer model
Brain stores info (memory) Computer stores info (data) Brain's input = senses, output = behaviour
28
Role of schema
Mental frameworks Package of ideas developed through experience Born with simple motor schema for innate behaviour Becomes more detailed as we grow Enables us to process info quickly
29
Emergence of cognitive neuroscience
Mapping brain areas to specific cog functions E.g., Broca's and speech production Advances in brain scanning techniques - scientists able to describe neuro basis of mental processes - establishes basis of mental disorders, e.g., OCD/Basal Ganglia
30
Cognitive AO3 1: Research support for schemas
+ Bugelski Rat-man: two groups - pic sequence 1) faces 2) animals Ptpts who saw faces more likely to see man; ptpts who saw animals likely to see rat
31
Cognitive AO3 2: Machine reductionism
- Ignores influence of human emotion/motivation on cog system + how this may affect ability to process info E.g., research into memory and anxiety on EWT
32
Cognitive AO3 3: RWA
+ Development of AI & thinking machines (robots); advances that may alter how we live in the future
33
Cognitive AO3 4: Scientific and objective methods
+ Highly controlled methods of study to enable researchers to infer cog processes. E.g., lab exp = reliable, objective. Cog neuro enable bio + cog psych to merge
34
Biological assumptions
We must look at bio processes & structures to explain behaviour Physical brain rather than thinking processes
35
Genetic basis of behaviour
Are behavioural characteristics inherited? Twin studies: concordance rates comparison. MZ usually higher concordance than DZ - 100% shared genes
36
Genotype
Unique genetic makeup coded in chromosomes Fixed at conception, e.g., having blonde hair
37
Phenotype
Expression of genetic makeup - can be influenced by environment, e.g., dyeing hair red
38
Evolution
Natural selection - survival of the fittest Genetically determined behaviour enhances survival/will be passed on
39
Biological AO3 1: Scientific methods
+ Makes use of precise/scientific methodology, e.g., fMRIs/EEGs/twin studies Advances in tech = possible to accurately measure bio processes
40
Biological AO3 2: RWA
+ Increased understanding of biochem processes in the brain > development of psychoactive drugs Treat mental illness, able to manage condition
41
Biological AO3 3: Causal conclusions
- Offers explanations for MI in terms of action of neurotransmitters. Association between factors does not mean one is a cause
42
Biological AO3 4: Reductionism
- Biologically reductionist Ignores other exp, e.g., schema/vicarious reinforcement/id, ego; superego
43
Role of the unconscious
Iceberg model Contains disturbing memories repressed/locked away/forgotten Can be accessed through parapraxes Preconscious = accessed if desired
44
Id
Pleasure principle Gets what it wants Only one present at birth Entirely selfish Demands gratification
45
Ego
Reality principle Mediator Develops around 2 Reduced conflict by employing defence mechanisms
46
Superego
Morality principle Formed at end of phallic stage (5) Sense of right and wrong Punishes for wrongdoing
47
Defence mechanisms
1. Repression - forcing distressed memory out of conscious mind 2. Denial - refusing to acknowledge aspect of reality 3. Displacement - transferring feelings onto substitute target
48
Psychosexual stages
1. Oral 0-1 2. Anal 1-3 3. Phallic 3-5 4. Latency 5. Genital
49
Focus of pleasure and fixation - oral stage
FOP - mouth Oral fixation: smoking/nail biting
50
Focus of pleasure and fixation - anal stage
FOP - anus Anal retentive: perfectionist/obsessive Anal expulsive: thoughtless/messy
51
Focus of pleasure and fixation - phallic stage
FOP - genital area Oedipus/Electra complex Phallic personality: narcissism/recklessness/homosexuality
52
Fixation - latency stage
Earlier conflicts repressed
53
Fixation - genital stage
Develops during puberty Sexual desires become conscious Difficulty forming heterosexual relationships
54
Psychodynamic AO3 1: Explanatory power
+ Controversial: huge influence. Used to explain wide range of phenomena. Draws attention to connection between exp in childhood & later dev
55
Psychodynamic AO3 2: Case study for Oedipus Complex
+ Freud claims boys develop hate for F during OC. Little Hans - phobia of horses after seeing one collapse > phobia formed from fear of father; displaced
56
Psychodynamic AO3 3: RWA
+ Explains why some people become criminal as a result of childhood (weak, deviant/over-harsh)
57
Psychodynamic AO3 4: Untestable concepts
- Does not meet scientific criterion of falsification - not open to empirical testing. What is at unconscious level cannot be tested
58
Free will
Free to choose own thoughts Self-determining whilst still being affected by external/internal influences Rejection of scientific models to establish general principles
59
Self-actualisation
Every person has innate tendency to achieve full potential Represents highest level of hierarchy
60
Maslow's hierarchy
1. Self-actualisation 2. Self-esteem 3. Love & belonging 4. Safety & security 5. Physiological needs
61
The self, congruence; conditions of worth
Rogers For personal growth to be achieved, concept of self must be equivalent to their ideal self Will experience state of incongruence if big gap exists between two selves ^ Self-actualisation will not be possible
62
Client-centered therapy
Helping people cope with problems of everyday living Issues we experience explained by unconditional positive regard Parents who set boundaries for children can cause psychological problems
63
Humanistic AO3 1: Not reductionist
+ Humanists reject attempts to break up behaviour into smaller components; look at it as a whole
64
Humanistic AO3 2: Cultural bias
- Ideas more associated with individualist cultures Collectivists emphasise needs of group Not all can reach needs prior
65
Humanistic AO3 3: Untestable concepts
- Includes vague ideas difficult to test May be a useful therapeutic tool but difficult to test under experimental conditions
66
Humanistic AO3 4: Positive approach
+ Humanists praised for bringing the person back into psych; promoting positive image Freud saw humans as slaves to their past Humanists - optimistic alternative

Psychology (7 decks)

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