Approaches Flashcards
(162 cards)
1
Q
What is introspection?
A
First experimental attempt to study the mind by breaking up conscious awareness into basic structures of thoughts, images and sensations = structuralism
2
Q
Father of psychology
A
Wilhelm Wundt
3
Q
Where and when did Wundt study
A
Liepzig, Germany, 1879
4
Q
Process of introspection
A
- Trained observers get exposed to stimuli
(sound,image,sensory) - Internal examination (write down thoughts/feelings immediately)
- Analysis
- Repeat
5
Q
Wundts aim
A
To study the mind, describe nature of human conscious
6
Q
Positives of introspection (4)
A
- Would be classed as scientific
- Standardised procedures
- controlled lab environment
- Used in research today (Griffiths study on gambling)
7
Q
Negatives of introspection (4)
A
- Could be considered as unscientific
- Subjective data (change dependent of personal perspective)
- May not have same thoughts every time
- My not reveal all thoughts
8
Q
Psychologist in 1879
A
Wilhulm Wundt, study of introspection
9
Q
Who was Sigmund Freud and when did he carry out research
A
!900’s, emphasised the influence of the unconscious mind. Psycho dynamic approach. Physical problems explained by conflicts in the mind
10
Q
1913
A
Behaviourist John B Watson. We should only study phenomena (can be observed/measured)
11
Q
B.F Skinner
A
Behaviourist, 1930’s. Scientific terms and controlled experiments (on animals).
12
Q
What did behaviourists believe
A
Introspection was wrong (subjective), we should study data that can be observed and measured
13
Q
1950’s Humanistic Approach
A
Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow. Importance of free will and self determination.
14
Q
What did computers do for psychology
A
Metaphor for the human mind/story memory
15
Q
Cognitive approach
A
Study mental processes/mind
16
Q
Albert Bandura
A
1960’s, Social learning theory, cognative factors in learing
17
Q
Biological approach
A
1980’s, Advance technology allows for the brain to be studied
18
Q
Cognitive neuroscience, 2000’s
A
Brings together cognitive and biological approaches.
19
Q
Classical conditioning is
A
Learning by association. Behaviourist approach.
20
Q
Behaviourist assumptions (8)
A
- Only interested in studying behaviour that can be measured or observed
- psychology = scientific
- Regect introspection
- Study should be lab based
- All behaviour is learnt
- Humans and animals learn in the same way, study n animals can be generalised
- All born tabula rasa
- Behaviour is shaped by environment/learning; no free will
21
Q
Who demonstrated classical conditioning
A
Ivan Pavlov in 1927
22
Q
Process of classical conditioning through dogs
A
Before: unconditioned stimulus (food) give as unconditioned response (salivation)
Neutral stimulus (bell) gives no response
During: unconditioned stimulus + neutral stimulus = unconditioned response (repeated)
After: conditioned stimulus (bell) = conditioned response (salivation)
23
Q
Tabula Rasa
A
A blank slate
24
Q
Strength of classical conditioning
A
- scientific credibility
- Therapies based on classical conditioning (treatment for phobias/exposure therapy)
25
Weakness of classical conditioning
1. Research on animals (generalised)
2. Study ignore other other explanation to behaviour (biology) - limited perspective
26
Two types of behaviorist approaches
Classical and operant conditioning
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Operant conditioning
Behavior is shaped and maintained through consequences
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Types of consequences
Positive/negative punishment or positive/negative reinforcement
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What does reinforcement do for behavior
Increases repetition of behavior
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What does punishment do for behavior
Decrease repetition of behavior
31
What did B.F Skinner believe
'Learning is an active process whereby humans and animals operate on their environment - shaped by consequence.'
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Two types of reinforcement
+ = giving something pleasant (reward)
- = removal/avoidance of something unpleasant
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Two types of punishment
+ = giving something unpleasant
- = removal of something pleasant
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Who and when was B.F Skinner
1953 American (behaviorist) psychologist
35
What did Skinner build to test his theory
Skinner box
36
What did animals did Skinner use
Rats and pigeons (peak disc rather than lever)
37
Method of operant conditioning - positive reinforcement
1. Hungry rat in box
2. Rat runs around and presses lever (accident) = food
3. After a few times, goes straight to lever = food
5. Repeat
4. Time taken to learn was recorded
38
Method of operant conditioning - negative reinforcement
1. Electric shocks given
2. Pushes lever (accident) = stops shock
3. Repeat
4. Rat learns lever = no shocks
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Strengths of operant conditioning
Real life applications (token economy reward system - good behavior is rewarded e.g in schools/work)
40
Weakness of operant conditioning
Animal research = ethical issues - housed is cramped conditions, under feed
Lacks generalisation (done of animals )
Limited perspective on behavior - ignore other levels that explain behavior
41
Social learning theory
Observing role models and imitating behaviour that is rewarded
42
Who tested social learning theory
Albert Bandura
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Social learning theory is a bridge between what approaches
Cognitive and behaviourist
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How did social learning theory suggest we learn
Observation, imitation (if seen to be rewarded - reinforced)
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Mediational processes
Mental factors involved in learning
46
4 mediational processes in learning
1. Attention - behaviour is noticed
2. Retention - behaviour is remembered
3. Reproduction - physically able to do it (imitate)
4. Motivation - will to perform behaviour (often related to if punished/rewarded)
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Identification (SLT)
More likely to imitate behaviour if they identify with someone
48
The role model is
Person they identify with
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What is the processes of imitating the role model
Modelling
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Factors that cause imitation of behaviour
Age, gender, attraction, high statues
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When and what was Bandura's experiment
1961, The bobo doll experiment
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Aim of Banura's experiment
See whether aggressive behaviour could be acquired thought observing an aggressive role model
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Who where the participants in Bandura's experiment
Children aged 3-6, 36 boys, 36 girls and adult role models
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Independent variable of SLT experiment
Model of aggression and sex of the role model
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Dependent variable of SLT experiment
Level of aggression showed by children
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Key steps of the Bobo Doll Experiment
1. Children either saw a male or female role model who was either aggressive or not
2. After children put in a room with a bobo doll and watched to observe behaviour
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How many groups involved in the SLT Bobo Doll Experiment
8 groups plus a control group who saw no role model
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How long where children observed for in the Bobo doll experiment.
20 minutes
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Three variations to the Bobo Doll Experiment where.....
1. Participant in the same room as role model
2. Video of role model
3. Role model was reinforced or punished for behaviour
60
Findings from the Bobo doll experiment (5)
1. Aggressive behaviour by role model was imitate by participant
2. Greater imitation if same sex role model
3. No difference between video or real life
4. Reinforcement encouraged aggression more than punishment
5. 1/3 repeated verbal aggression by model whereas people who saw nothing said nothing
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Conclusions from the SLT Bobo Doll Experiment
Behaviour can be acquired by imitation of role models. More likely to if model is same gender
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Negatives of SLT
Underestimates the influence of biological factors (testosterone level = agression)
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Negatives of the Bobo Doll Experiment
Low ecological validity (unnatural setting), can't see long term effect, demand characteristics (purpose of doll is to hit)
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Advantage of SLT
Useful applications (criminal behaviour), supporting research
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Advantage of Bobo Doll Experiment
Good internal validity, lab, control variable, replicated
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What was the research supporting SLT and Bobo doll
Girls in Fiji before and after western TV.
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Findings from the Fiji experiment supporting SLT
11.3% vomited due to weight, 74% felt too big, 83% felt TV influenced body weight
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What is the cognitive approach
How our mental processes affect behaviour
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What is the schema
Cognitive frame that helps to interpret information in the brain and make sense of new information. Make predictions for whats going to happen
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When was cognitive approach developed
1950's
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What is a metaphor for mental processes
Computers
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What was the cognitive approach in response to
Behaviourist failure to acknowledge mental processes
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Key assumptions of cognitive approach (5)
1. Between stimulus and response, brain actively processes information with mental processes
2. Internal processes should be studied scientifically
3. Cannot be observed so inferences made about minds based on behaviour
4. Humans = data processing systems
5. Humans minds are like computers
74
How are schemas developed
Through experiences. Effected by someones beliefs or expectations. Older we are the more detailed schema is
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Positive of schema
Process info quickly, mental shortcut
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Negative of schema
Can distort our interpretations leading to perceptual error
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How are computers and the brain similar
Receive systems and generate outputs, process info through programmed steps
78
Theoretical models that help understand the brain
Flowcharts represent mental processes
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What is cognitive neuroscience
Scientific study of brain structures influence on mental processes
80
How do people look at the brain
PET and fMRI scans able to study mental processing
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Research about memory (cognitive neuroscience)
Tulving et al 1994, research episodic (life memories) and semantic (facts and figures memories) memories located at different sides of prefrontal cortex
82
Cognitive neuroscience has helped testing psychiatric conditions including
Parahippocampal gyrus (processing unpleasant emotion) link to OCD
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Strength of cognitive approach (3)
1. Real life applications - therapies
2. Cognitive neuroscience enabled links from brain and internal processes
3. Scientific - high control
84
Cognitive neuroscience is a combination of
Biology and cognitive psychology
85
Disadvantages of cognitive approach (3)
1. Make inferences - not considered as scientific
2. Machine reductionist - behaviour simplified to computer models
3. Controlled research can be artificial and lacks ecological validity not eing generalised to everyday
86
Biological approach
Emphasises on biological processes in the body such as genetic inheritance and neural functions
87
Key assumptions of biological approach (5)
1. ALL behaviour explained using biological processes and structures
2. Mind lives in brain - thoughts/emotion/feeling have physical basis
3. Biochemical imbalance effect behaviour
4. Brain physiology affects behaviour
5. Behaviour can be inherited
88
What is neuro-chemistry
Action of chemicals (neurotransmitters) in brain
89
How many neurons are in the brain
86 billion
90
What is said to cause OCD
Low levels of serotonin
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What is said to cause schizophrenia
high levels of dopamine
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What studies are used to investigate genetic influence
Twin studies
93
Concordance rate
How similar twins are and a rate is calculated. Higher concordance rate with identical twins
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Identical twins are called and share how much DNA
Monozygotic, share 100%
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Non identical twins are called and share how much DNA
Dizygotic share 50%
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Phenotype
genetic make up
97
Genotype
Expression of the gene, characteristic
98
What is the phenotype influenced by
The genetic inheritance and environment
99
Darwins theory of natural selection
Any genetic behavior that enhances survival and reproduction with be passed to future generations - survival advantage
100
Outer surface of the brain is called? Thats split into 2 called?
Cerebral cortext. Left and right hemisphere
101
Left hemisphere
Controls the right side
102
Right hemisphere
Controls the left die
103
Localisation of function
Theory the specific parts of the brain are responsible for different things
104
Motor area
Movement
105
Occipital lobe
Recieving and processing visual info
106
Stregnths of the biological approach
1. Real world applications - psychoactive drugs used to treat mental disorders (depressive drugs increase serotonin)
2. Scientific objective methods - scannng techniques (fMIR), based on reliable data, not bias
107
Limitations of the biological approach
1. Antidepressant drugs don't work for everyone, Suggests that brain chemistry alone may not account for all cases of depression. Cipriani compared 21 drugs and found wide variation.
2. Reductionist - reduce complex behavior and experiences to physical processes. Overlooks impact of environment, social and cognitive factors. Narrow focus
108
Psychodynamic approach
Different forces (in unconscious) that operate and direct behavior
109
Key assumptions of the psychodynamic approach
1. The unconscious mind drives behavior
2. Posses innate drives that motivate behavior
3. Adult behavior - ID, EGO and suoerego
4. Childhood experiences help determind adult personality
110
The role of the unconcious
We are unaware but drives behavior, made up of sexual and aggressive thoughts and drives only accessed through dreams and Freudian slips
111
The role of the preconcious
Not immediately available but can be brought into conscious
112
The role of the concious
Aware of thoughts, feelings and ideas
113
Freudian slip
Say one thing but mean another (slip of the tongue), driven by unconscious
114
What did freud believe our dreams where
Meaningful and require interpretation. Defense from our selfish, unpleasant thoughts are weakened and some come through disguised as symbols
115
ID
Selfish part, irrational and emotional in unconscious. Pleasure principle seaking pleasure, demanding instant gratification, not concerned about consequence. Present at birth
116
Ego
Reality principle, mediator/find liveable balance . Develops around 2 part of conscious
117
Super ego
Right and wrong, internalized norms and values of parents and society, moral principle, punishes ego through guilt and shame, develops at 5, unconscious, demands perfection
118
What was freuds theory around a childs development
5 stages of development, different conflict a child must resolve before going to next stage. Sexual energy expressed in different parts of the body
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Sexual energy
Libido
120
How can a child become stuck in a psychosextual stage and why is this
Unresolved conflict leads to fixation. This is through frustration (needs are not met) or overindulgence (needs are overly met, reluctant to progress)
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Stages of the psychosextual stages
Oral, Anal, Phallic, Latency, genital
122
Oral stage; description, conflict and fixation/consequence when adult
Fixation with the mouth (mothers breast - fixation), 0-1
Weaning off to early/late, under/over fed
Pleasure from mouth/smoking, biting, overeating, drinking, sarcastic
123
Anal stage; description, conflict and fixation/consequence when adult
Withholding/expelling faeces, 1-3
Potty training, too strict/not strict enough
Anal retentive personality - perfectionist, obsessive
Anal expulsive personality - thoughless and messy
124
Phallic stage; description, conflict and fixation/consequence when adult
Genital area, curiosity about bodies, difference between sexes, 3-6
Oedipus/Electra complex (unconscious sexual desires for parents)
Overly dependent on mother/father, confusion with gender. Narcissistic, reckless, sexually aggressive
125
Latency stage; description, conflict and fixation/consequence when adult
6-12, repressing earlier conflicts into unconscious
126
Genital stage; description, conflict and fixation/consequence when adult
12+, sexual desires (puberty)
Form mature sexual relationships
Difficulty forming intimate relationships and sexual dysfunctions
127
Oedipus complex
Young boys, unconscious sexual desire for mother, envy father/rival/very jealous/wish death, afraid of father worries for castration anxiety, knows father is more powerful (bigger penis)
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Oedipus complex fear, conflict and resolution
Castration
Between lust for mother and fear of father
Identify with father, develop super ego, substitutes desire for mother for other women, develops ideas around gender
129
Electra complex
Girls, unconcious sexual dresire for father, blames mother for not having a penis (thinks they have been castrated), sees women powerless. Longs for penis - penis envy
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Electra complex, fear, conflict and resolution
Losing mothers love
Desire for father and losing mothers love
convert desire for penis to desire for a baby, identify with mother, develops superego, internalize female gender
131
How are both the electra and oedipus complex resolved
Identify with same sex parent and internalize moral values/norms and gender roles (superego)
132
How was data collected about Little Hans
Letters from father from 3 years saw Hans t 5 years, detailed conversations with mainly father
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What features of the horse where symbolic of Little Hans father
Black harness - mustache, big penis - penis of father, blinkers - glasses. Represents fear of father (Oedipus)
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How was little Hans phobia related to the Oedipus complex
Fantasized about mother, fear of father (horse, bite of horse = castration)
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Defense mechanisms
Helps bad thoughts stay in the unconscious, often distort reality, reduce anxiety
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3 defense mechanisms used bu the ego
Repression (forcing memory out of conscious and into unconscious)
Denial (refuse to accept some part of reality)
Displacement (transferring feelings onto a substitute target
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Issues with freuds research
Couldn't be proven wrong, if a patient said something he'd blame it moving into the unconscious
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Stregnths of the psychodynamic approach
1. Evidence to support, treatment of phobias- Little Hans support despite abstract ideas
2. Impact on contemporary thoughts - linked childhood with adult characteristics, positive influence
3. Psychoanalysis - talking therapy, first treatment to mental disorders which isn't psychical. Dream analysis, access to unconscious, deal with everyday problems
139
Limitations of the psychodynamic approach
1. Not scientific - no falsification (cannot be disproved), most of theory you cannot test (ID, Ego, Oedipus)
2. Gender bias - women have a weaker superego, penis envy, inferior to men,
3. Subjective data - own interpretation, case studies where based on own clients/ most middle aged women he was said to have slept with.Researcher bias
140
Humanistic psychology
Behavior that emphasises the importance of subjective experiences and each persons capacity for self determination
141
Free will
Human can make choices and are not determind by internal biological or external forces
142
Key assumptions of the humanistic approach
1. Humans have free will - have full control of own life
2. Regection of objective scientific methods - understand personal experiences, not looking for a general law for all
3. All people have the tendency for psychological growth and self actualization (full potential)
143
Maslow's heirachy of needs
Psychological needs (breathing, food, water, shelter) --- saftey and secturity (health, employment, property, family) --- love and belonging (friendship, family, intemisy) --- self esteem (confidence, respect for others, achievement) --- self actualization
144
What is maslows heirachy of needs
Person can only progress if they meet the current needs in the sequence
145
Self actualization
Peak of human satisfaction/psychological development. Morality, creativity, independence, acceptance of self and others, meaning in life, spontaneity.
146
Carl Rogers - the self, congruence and conditions of self worth
In order to self actualize, ideal and actual self have to be congruent. If there is a huge gap - state of incongruence.
147
Self concept
The way someone sees themselves
148
Ideal self
The person someone wants to be
149
How is someones ideal self built
Conditions of worth (expectations you have to live up to) to earn love and approval often by parents or from childhood. Lack of unconditional positive regard.
150
Reduce the gap between ideal and actual self
Rogers developed client centered therapy. Aim to achieve congruence and increase feelings of self worth focusing on the present and future
151
In client centered therapy, a therapist has to provide
Openness, empathy, genuineness and unconditional positive regard
152
Limitations of the humanistic approach
1. Culturally bias - self actualization = individualistic cultures eg USA, UK. collective cultures emphasis the need for the group which implies that in these cultures self actualization is unachievable.
2. Other explanations are more successful - eg self esteem is effected by hormones and neurotransmitters
153
Strengths of the humanistic approach
1. Practical applications - client centered therapy, hierarchy is widely applied - understanding what it takes to reach your full potential (sports, education, business)
2. Research to support conditions of self worth - Harter found teenagers who felt they had to fulfill certain conditions to gain parental approval did not end up liking themselves. Would often develop depression when pretending to be the kind of person their parents would want
154
Nature
Behaviour that is biological
155
Nurture
Development due to environmental influences
156
Free will
Power to make own choices
157
Deterministic
Behavior determined by external or internal factors out of their control
Biological forces, previous experiences/innate drives, personal experiences
158
Reductionist
Break down complex behavior into simplified version
159
Holism
Doesn't break down behavior, whole experience
160
Idiographic
Behavior focused on the individual and their uniqueness, qualitative
161
Nomothetic
Produce a general law for behavior, statistical and quantitative
162
Scientific/not
Scientific methods, able to test
