approaches

Question 1

What are the 2 types of conditioning in the behaviourist approach

Answer 1

• classical
• operant

Question 2

define operant conditioning

Answer 2

the consequences of a behaviour that determine whether or not you will do it again

Question 3

Define positive reinforcement

Answer 3

behaviour continues because it produces a reward

Question 4

Define negative reinforcement

Answer 4

behaviour continues because it removes something unpleasant

Question 5

Define positive punishment

Answer 5

behaviour stops because it causes an unpleasant consequence

Question 6

define negative punishment

Answer 6

the behaviour stops because it causes something unpleasant to be taken away

Question 7

What evidence do we have for operant conditioning

Answer 7

Skinner

Question 8

Write a description of Skinner’s experiement

Answer 8

• placed small animals (rats and pigeons) in skinner boxes
• if rat pressed lever then it recieved food (positive reinforcement) so pressed lever more often
• if rat pressed lever then electric shock stopped (negative reinforcement) so pressed lever more often

Question 9

Define classical condiitioning

Answer 9

learning a new behaviour through direct association

Question 10

What are the 3 stages of classical conditioning

Answer 10

UCS -> UCR
NS + UCS
CS -> CR

Question 11

What are the 3 stages of classical conditioning in the little Albert experiment

Answer 11

loud noise -> crying
loud noise + white rat
white rat -> crying

Question 12

What are the 3 stages of classical conditioning in Pavlov’s dogs experiment

Answer 12

food -> drools
food + bell
bell -> drools

Question 13

Evaluate the behaviourist approach

Answer 13

+ scientific
+ real life application
- environmental determinism (neglects free will/choices)
- some of the research broke ethical guidelines (e.g Skinner)
- assumes human’s respond the same way as animals

Question 14

what is vicarious reinforcement (SLT)

Answer 14

observe someone else being reinforced and then imitate their behaviour as a result

Question 15

what are the 4 mediational processes in order (SLT)

Answer 15

attention - notice the behaviour
retention - remember
reproduction - carries out
motivation - may or may not repeat depending on consequence

Question 16

define identification (SLT)

Answer 16

more likely to imitate when they see similarities with themselves

Question 17

which study was used to support social learning theory

Answer 17

Bandura bobo doll experiment

Question 18

what happened in the bobo doll experiment

Answer 18

child observed adult being aggressive towards bobo doll so they were aggressive
if adult was calm then child was calm

Question 19

define imitation

Answer 19

copying others behaviours

Question 20

define modelling

Answer 20

demonstration of role models actions caused by internal mental processes

Question 21

what are some strengths of social learning theory

Answer 21

+ builds on behaviourism but also considers the importance of cognitive factors
+ real life applications e.g more effective teaching methods to help recall information

Question 22

what are some weaknesses of social learning theory

Answer 22

• doesn’t consider biological factors e.g hormones
• reliant on evidence from lab studies so lacks ecological validity

Question 23

in the cognitive approach how are internal mental processes studied

Answer 23

indirectly by making inferences

Question 24

define an inference

Answer 24

an assumption made to explain unobservable mental processes based on observable actions

Question 25

define a schema

Answer 25

a mental package of ideas and information based on previous experiences that influence our responses

Question 26

define a theoretical model

Answer 26

diagrammatic representation of the steps involved in mental processes

Question 27

what models do cognitive psyhologists use

Answer 27

computer models

Question 28

how are computers models compared to the human mind

Answer 28

similar: - both have memory - both process info - both send electrical signals different: - emotional impact - humans can forget - humans make mistakes

Question 29

how do we study the brain in cognitive neuroscience

Answer 29

through fMRI and PET scans

Question 30

what are some strengths of the cognitive approach

Answer 30

+ real world applications e.g artificial intelligence + uses scientific methods e.g lab experiements

Question 31

what are some limitations of the cognitive approach

Answer 31

- ignores behaviourism - ignores impact of emotions - lab experiement (lacks ecological validity)

Question 32

what are the 3 causes looked at in the biological approach

Answer 32

- genes - biological structures - neurochemistry

Question 33

why are twin studies used in the biological approach

Answer 33

used to study how much our behavioural traits are controlled by our genes

Question 34

what are MZ and DZ twins

Answer 34

MZ = identical DZ = non identical

Question 35

define natural selection

Answer 35

traits that help survival are passed on

Question 36

define sexual selection

Answer 36

traits that help reproduction passed on

Question 37

define genotype

Answer 37

the genes you have

Question 38

define phenotype

Answer 38

the visible characteristics

Question 39

in the aggression study how do genes influence behaviour

Answer 39

- if aggressive gene is present individual is 13 times more likely to have a violent history - genes can't be used to screen criminals as environmental factors also have an affect - CDH13 linked to abuse and ADHD - MAOA controls amount of dopamine and serotonin

Question 40

in the aggression study how does neurochemistry affect behaviour

Answer 40

serotonin - helps regulate mood, sleep and emotions (too little = aggression) dopamine - motivation, pleasure (too much = hyperactive, too little = frustration)

Question 41

in the aggression study how does biological structures affect behaviour

Answer 41

amygdala = responsible for processing emotions especially fear and anger, triggers fight or flight, when overactive can cause aggression frontal lobe = responsible for higher level thinking, decision making and self control. when underveloped may lead to aggression

Question 42

what are some strengths of the biological approach

Answer 42

- very scientific as experiments are repeated to test for reliability to produce valid data. - allows for development of treatment e.g if individual has too little serotonin they could be given more

Question 43

what are some weaknesses of the biological approach

Answer 43

- twin studies prove it is not all genes there is an environmental impact - excuse for not taking responsibility for behaviour

Question 44

Define science

Answer 44

the objective, systematic and replicable study of the structure and behaviour of the physical world through obervation and experiment

Question 45

Who was the first psychologist that said thoughts could be studied scientifically

Answer 45

Wilhelm Wundt

Question 46

How did Wundt use introspection to study internal mental processes

Answer 46

He claimed that people could be trained to observe and report their own mental processes when they responded to a stimulus. Their reports would be compared to produce theories about how systems such as memory and perception work.

Question 47

Would Wundt's work be classed as scientific today?

Answer 47

yes - he kept records and standardised procedures. Came up with theories based on evidence. no - we have little knowledge of our own mental processes so introspection may not be valid

Question 48

Put the approaches in order

Answer 48

1879 - Wundt 1910s - behaviourist 1960s- cognitive 1970s - social learning theory 1980s - biological 2000s - cognitive neuroscience