approaches Flashcards
(14 cards)
ORIGINS OF PSYCH
Ao1
- Wundt 1879, first psychological laboratory in Germany
- Analysed workings of mind in structured/objective way
- developed introspection – pps presented with problem or focus and asked to self report thoughts emotions images etc. - structuralism
- Given the same standardised instructions allowing for replication. Obtained during task to avoid memory problems.
ORIGINS OF PSYCH
Ao3
STRENGTHS
- some methods classed as scientific e.g. controlled lab environment and standardised procedure.
- pioneered pathways for new approaches (produced first psychological journal + textbook) significant contribution
LIMITATIONS
- Some aspects and scientific – relied on self reporting/private processes. Subjective and unprovable.
BEHAVIOURISM
Ao1
BASIC ASSUMPTIONS
- behaviour that is observable/measurable, lab studies, no internal mental processes
– behaviour learned from experience, same in all species
CLASSICAL CONDITIONING - Pavlov
Watson & Rayner - 1920, little Albert and rats/steel bar
OPERANT CONDITIONING - Skinner
Positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, punishment. Used rats + skinner boxes.
BEHAVIOURISM
Ao3
STRENGTHS
- well controlled research, focus on observable behaviour/lab settings. Extraneous variables removed.
– Real world applications. operant systems = basis of token economy systems
WEAKNESSES
- oversimplifies human behaviour, reduces complex processes to simple components
– environmental determinism, all behaviour = from past conditioning experiences, no free well
SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY
Ao1
- Bandura - classical and operant conditioning, direct and indirect reinforcement, but through observation and imitation of others.
- vicarious reinforcement and vicarious punishment
- identification with role model increases likelihood of imitation
- Mediational processes = cognitive factors between stimulus and response
ARMM:
ATTENTION
RETENTION
MOTOR REPRODUCTION
MOTIVATION
STUDY:
PROCEDURE:
– 72 children, M+ F, age 3–5
- witnessed aggressive vs non aggressive role model, same or different sex, play with Bobo doll
– Forbidden from playing first, then allowed to play with doll
FINDINGS:
– Aggressive = aggressive and vice versa
– Boys more physical aggression
– same-sex role models = most aggression
– Aggressive girls = physical when male role model, verbal whenfemale role model
CONCLUSIONS:
- Supports SLT and imitation of role models
VARIATION:
– Children observed role models get rewarded/punished/no for aggression
– Rewarded = most aggression, punished = least aggression
Supports vicarious reinforcement/punishment and SLT
SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY
Ao3
STRENGTHS
– Provides more complete explanation of human learning than behaviourist (neither classical/operant account for judgements/mediational processes)
– explains Real world behaviour, children learn from people, media – explains how cultural norms are transmitted
LIMITATIONS
– Developed through lab studies, contrived nature (purpose of doll is to hit it) demand characteristics
– Ignores biological factors, e.g. boys more aggressive than girls regardless of specifics, perhaps hormones (testosterone)
COGNITIVE
Ao1
BASIC ASSUMPTIONS
- internal mental processes (how we perceive, store, manipulate + interpret info)
– Studied scientifically, lab studies. Indirectly by making inferences.
SCHEMA
– Mental representations of world developed through experience, more complex as older
– Quickly interpret new info and how to behave, don’t get overwhelmed
– However could distort interpretations/lead to judgement or bias
THEORETICAL AND COMPUTER MODELS
– Information flows through cognitive sequence in stages, like computer
– Input, processing, output
COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE
– How brain structure affects internal mental processes/behaviour?
– Involves brain scans e.g. fMRI/PET
- e.g. Tulving found episodic and semantic LTM located on different sides of PFC
– Used to: locate different areas of brain and treatment, study processing of depression, OCD, autism + aging/stroke
COGNITIVE
Ao3
STRENGTHS
- scientific methods used
- rwa- ai, applied in other areas of psych - e.g. in psychopathology, behaviours of those with depression or ocd explained by thinking patterns
LIMITATIONS
- machine reductionism - comparing humans to computers
- relies on inference, can be too abstract and theoretical, research uses artificial stimuli
BIOLOGICAL
Ao1
ASSUMPTIONS
-Everything psychological at first biological, ultimately have a physical basis
– Use twin/family studies, brain scanning/blood tests
GENETIC BASIS
– Twin studies used, analysing concordance rates (mono/dizy twins)
– Effects of genes on disorders (gene associated with OCD e.g. SERT/5HT1D beta)
– Genotype VS phenotype shows interaction between nature and nurture (PKU – rare genetic disorder, unchecked causes severe learning disabilities. If court, restricted diet = develops normally).
NEUROCHEMICAL BASIS
– hormone levels and neurotransmitters (imbalances = possible cause of mental illness)
– OCD = low levels serotonin
– Schizophrenia = overproduction dopamine
NEURAL/BRAIN STRUCTURES
– Damaged or dysfunctional areas = abnormal behaviour
– Raine found antisocial personality criminals = 11% reduction in grey matter on frontal lobes
EVOLUTION AND BEHAVIOUR
– Natural selection, behaviours that are advantageous genetically passed on, supports biological approach e.g. Bowlby innate drive to form attachments
BIOLOGICAL
Ao3
STRENGTHS
- Real world application (lead a treatment using drugs e.g. antidepressants that increase serotonin)
– Scientific methods, including scanning techniques and lab studies highly objective
LIMITATIONS
– Biological determinism, behaviour governed by internal genetic causes – no control. Difficult when considering things such as crime ( grey matter study).
– drug treatments not effective for everyone, studies show wide variety and effectiveness and sometimes placebos show same results. Challenges view that biology alone causes these problems.
PSYCHODYNAMIC
Ao1
BASIC ASSUMPTIONS
– Ignore science, focus on get inside head of individuals and their experience
– Relies heavily on case studies
– Human behaviour based upon unconscious drives and forces within the person
STRUCTURE OF THE PSYCHE
– Freud Conscious mind = “tip of iceberg “ , unconscious = biological drives, instincts, memories – disturbing memories = repressed, accessed through dreams etc
–Tripartite personality:
ID: pleasure principle, from birth
EGO: reality principle, mediator, 2 years
SUPEREGO: morality principle, around 5
- defence mechanisms:
Repression: forcing distressing memory out of conscious mind
Denial: refusing to acknowledge reality
Displacement: transferring feelings to substitute target
PSYCHOSEXUAL STAGES
ORAL (0– 1): mouth, conflict = weaning
Oral fixation: biting nails, sarcasm
ANAL (1 – 3): anus, conflict = toilet training
anally retentive(obsessive)/expulsive(messy)
PHALLIC (3-5): genitals, conflict = oedipus/Electra
phallic personality (narcissistic), homosexuality
LATENCY (5-puberty): presses earlier conflict, defence mechanisms developed
GENITAL(puberty +): genitals, conflict = reaching sexual maturity
Struggle to form healthy heterosexual relationships
PSYCHODYNAMIC
Ao3
STRENGTH
- Real world application psychoanalysis (treatment disorders, psychologically rather than physically) e.g. dream analysis – four runner to counselling
– Huge influence on psychology and Western contemporary thought. Used to explain wide range of behaviour including personality development, moral development, gender identity.
LIMITATIONS
– Untestable concepts (does not mean scientific criterion of falsification/empirical testing) occur at unconscious level + reliant on case studies
– Suffer from psychic determinism, for “no such thing as an accident “– extreme view, dismisses influence of free will
HUMANISTIC
Ao1
FREE WILL
- Humans = self determining, affected by external/internal influences but active agents
– Reject scientific models that attempt to establish general laws, “ person centred approach “
HIERARCHY OF NEEDS - Maslow
– Physiological
– Safety and security
– Love and belonging
– self-esteem
– Self actualisation (full innate tendency to fulfil their full potential)
CONGRUENCE, THE SELF, CONDITIONS OF WORTH
– Ideal versus actual self: congruence when they become equal
CC THERAPY
–Rogers developed client centred therapy/counselling to reduce gap. Can be explained by lack of unconditional love. Reinstating this helps reach congruence.
HUMANISTIC
Ao3
STRENGTHS
– positive approach (optimistic). Focusing on bringing person back into psychology and promoting positive image of human condition, work towards solving problems.
– Not reductionist (advocate holism, consider all aspects of human experience + persons real world context)
LIMITATIONS
– Western cultural bias: central ideas e.g. freedom, autonomy, personal growth = individualist cultures. Collectivist cultures focus on community + interdependence.
– Reductionist approaches more scientific. Humanistic approach short on empirical evidence + measurable concepts.
