Approaches

Question 1

What are the assumptions of The Behaviourist Approach?

Answer 1

• Observable behaviour is all that needs to be studied
• Basic processes are the same in all species

Question 2

What are the subsections of The Behaviourist Approach?

Answer 2

• Classical Conditioning
• Operant Conditioning

Question 3

What’s the evaluation of The Behaviourist Approach?

Answer 3

+ Well-controlled research : Behaviour broken down into stimulus-response units
+ Real-world application : Token economy systems
- Environmental determinism : All behaviour influences by past experience, no free will

Question 4

What are the assumptions of Social Learning Theory?

Answer 4

• Behaviour is learnt from experience
• Learnt through observation and imitation of others

Question 5

What are the subsections of Social Learning Theory

Answer 5

• Vicarious reinforcement
• Mediational Processes
• Identification

Question 6

What’s the evaluation of Social Learning Theory?

Answer 6

+ Cognitive Factors : Comprehensive account of learning
- Contrived lab studies : Demand characteristics
+ Real-world application : SLT can account for development of cultural differences

Question 7

What are the mediational processes?

Answer 7

Attention, retention, motor reproduction and motivation

Question 8

What is Identification?

Answer 8

When someone is more likely to imitate role models they identify with

Question 9

What are the assumptions of the Cognitive Approach?

Answer 9

• Internal mental processes can be studied through inference

Question 10

What are the subsections of The Cognitive Approach?

Answer 10

• The role of Schema
• Theoretical and Computer Models
• Emergence of cognitive neuroscience

Question 11

What’s the evaluation of the Cognitive Approach?

Answer 11

+ Scientific methods : Produce objective data
+ Real-world application : Applies to AI, depression and EWT
- Machine reductionism : We are not machines
+ Soft determinism : Middle-ground

Question 12

What are assumptions of the Biological Approach?

Answer 12

• The mind and body are one in the same

Question 13

What are the subsections of The Biological Approach?

Answer 13

• Neurochemical basis of behaviour
• Genetic basis of behaviour
• Genotype and Phenotype
• Evolution and Behaviour

Question 14

What’s the evaluation of The Biological Approach?

Answer 14

+ Real-world application : Development of psychoactive drugs
+ Scientific methods : Objective methods
- Biological determinism : Behaviour is governed by genetics, oversimplification

Question 15

What are the assumptions of the Psychodynamic Approach?

Answer 15

• The conscious mind is the ‘tip of the iceberg’

Question 16

What are the subsections of the Psychodynamic Approach?

Answer 16

• The structure of personality
• Psychosexual stages
• Defence mechanisms

Question 17

What makes up personality?

Answer 17

• Id
• Ego
• Superego

Question 18

What is the Id (Personality)?

Answer 18

Pleasure principle

Question 19

What is the Ego (Personality)?

Answer 19

Reality principle

Question 20

What is the Superego (Personality)?

Answer 20

Morality principle

Question 21

What’s the evaluation of the Psychodynamic Approach?

Answer 21

+ Real-world application : Therapy
+ Explanatory factor : Influential theories about personality and moral development
- Untestable concepts : Unfalsifiable, pseudoscientific
- Psychic determinism : No room for free will

Question 22

What are the assumptions of the Humanistic Approach?

Answer 22

People are active agents who are self-determining
(Free will)

Question 23

What are the subsections of the Humanistic Approach?

Answer 23

• Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
• Self-actualisation
• The self, congruence and conditions of worth
• Counselling psychology

Question 24

What are Maslow’s hierarchy of needs?

Answer 24

Physiological, safety and security, love and belongingness, self-esteem and self-actualisation

Question 25

What's the evaluation of Humanistic Psychology?

Answer 25

+ Not reductionist : Emphasis on holism + Positive approach : Sees people as good and in control - Cultural bias : Associated with individualism

Question 26

What is Introspection?

Answer 26

The first systematic experimental attempt to study the mind by breaking up conscious awareness into basic structures of thoughts, images and sensations

Question 27

What is reinforcement?

Answer 27

A consequence of behaviour that increases the likelihood of that behaviour being repeated

Question 28

What is Classical Conditioning?

Answer 28

Learning by association

Question 29

Operant Conditioning

Answer 29

Learning in which behaviour is shaped and maintained by its consequences

Question 30

What is Imitation?

Answer 30

Copying the behaviour of others

Question 31

What is Modelling?

Answer 31

Imitating the behaviour of a role model

Question 32

What is Inference?

Answer 32

The process whereby cognitive psychologists draw conclusions about the way mental processes operate on the basis of observed behaviour

Question 33

What is congruence?

Answer 33

The aim of Rogerian therapy, when the self-concept and the ideal self are seen to broadly accord or match

Question 34

What are conditions of worth?

Answer 34

When a parent places limits or boundaries on their love of their children

Question 35

What is Self?

Answer 35

The ideas and values that characterise 'I' and 'me' and includes perception and valuing of 'what I am' and 'what I can do'