Approaches Flashcards
(63 cards)
Who is Wilhelm Wundt and what did he do
He is know as the ‘father’ of psychology and opened the first lab dedicated to psychology in 1970 - Leipzig Germany
He separated psychology from philosophy by analysing the workings of the mind. His approach was to study the mind’s structure by breaking down behaviours.
Define introspection and empiricism
Introspection: The first systematic experimental attempt to study the mind by breaking up conscious awareness into structures of thought, images and sensations.
Empiricism: A method gaining knowledge that relies on direct observation and testing.
What are 2 assumptions of wundts scientific method
All behaviour is seen as being caused (determined)
If behaviour is determined then it should be possible to predict how humans behave in different conditions
What is an advantage and disadvantage of Wundt’s work and introspection
+ Its scientific: His methods were systematic and well controlled so EVs were not a factor and procedures were standardised.
- Subjective data: Other aspects would be considered unscientific today as he relied on participants self-reporting their mental processes (subjective). Participants may have hidden some thoughts.
What is an advantage and a disadvantage of the emergence of psychology
+ Modern psychology: Modern psychology can claim to be scientific as learning cognitive and biological approaches rely on scientific methods. (Eg - lab studies)
- Subjective data: Not all approaches used objective data methods. Eg - Psycho-dynamic uses case study method which does not use representative sample. Scientific approach may not always be possible or desireable.
Define behaviourist approach
A way of explaining behaviour in terms of what is observable and in terms of learning.
What are the 4 assumptions of behaviourist
- Only interested in behaviour that can be observed and measured
- People are products of their environment, all behaviour is learned
3.Controlled environments and objectivity is best - Learning is the same in all species. Animals can be used.
What is classical conditioning
It is learning by occasion creating a new stimulus that then provokes a response.
When 2 environmental changes (stimuli) occur together, we learn to associate them.
The response to one may transfer to the other.
What did Pavlov show
He demonstrated that dogs could be conditioned to associate a neutral stimulus (bell) with food, leading to a learned response (salvation)
Learning through association
What are 2 strengths and a weakness of Pavlov’s study
+ Easy to replicate and there was lots of scientific credibility which was influential in psychology
+ Real world application: CC is now used to treat phobias
- Using animals in experiments is unethical and dogs are not humans so we therefore cannot generalise.
Define unconditioned vs conditioned response
Unconditioned: Something that triggers a natural (unconditioned) response
Conditioned: Something that triggers a learnt response, we have been conditioned to respond to this
Define unconditioned v conditioned stimulus
Unconditioned: Something that would not normally trigger a reaction
Conditioned: A response which has been learnt throughassociation
Define what a neutral stimulus is
A natural response which does not need to be learnt
What is operant conditioning
A form of learning in which behaviour is shaped and maintained by it’s consequences
What are the 3 types of consequences for behaviour
Positive reinforcement: Receiving a reward when a certain behaviour is formed
Negative reinforcement: A behaviour which avoids something unpleasant
Punishment: An unpleasant consequence of behaviour
Define anthropomorphism and vicarious reinforcement
Anthropomorphism: Applying human characteristics to an animal or object
VR: Observing behaviour that a person may imitate if the behaviour is seen to be rewarded (positively or negatively) rather than punishment.
What are 2 disadvantages and a advantage operant conditioning and skinner
+ Animals are easier to use as they can’t be affected by demand characteristics like humans
- However exposing rats to stressful situations is unethical and cannot be generalised due to anthropomorphism
- Ignores that we have free will and takes a deterministic view. Skinner suggested that all behaviour is a result of our history of reinforcement and free will is an illusion.
What are the main 6 (3+ & 3-) evaluations of behaviourism
+ Is successfully used in treatments such as for phobias
+ Is credible as is demonstrated by the use of the scientific method
+ Using animals = High control = Objective data
- Also unethical and not generalisable
- Reduces all behaviour to a simple learned response ignoring the role of our biology, emotions and thought processes
- Determinism ignores free will / individual differences
Define Social Learning Theory
A way of explaining behaviour that includes both direct and indirect reinforcement, combining learning theory with the role of cognitive factors.
What are 3 assumptions of SLT
- Agrees with behaviourists that behaviour is learned through our experiences
- Proposes we learn differently through observation and imitation in a social context with others
- Suggests that learning occurs directly through classical and operant conditioning but also indirectly
What are the 4 mediational or mental processes which intervene with our learning and who stated them
Bandura identified them
Related to learning:
- Attention: How much we notice the behaviours of others
- Retention: How well we remember the behaviour
Related to the performance of behaviour:
- Motor production: Ability to imitate the behaviour
- Motivation: The will to perform
What is identification
Our likelihood of imitating behaviour depends on how we ‘identify’ with that person (see them as a role model, have similar characteristics, higher status)
They do not need to be present
List the 2+ and 3- of SLT
+ Recognises we have mediational processes which explains how humans learn and adapt to their environment
+ Explains how cultural norms develop and how children develop norms
- A lab study so lacks ecological validity
- Too small a sample to generalise / age and culture bias
- Ignores biological factors such as testosterone, boys were more aggressive than girls regardless (Bandura)
Define cognitive approach
The term ‘cognitive’ has come to mean ‘mental processes’ so this approach is focused on how our mental processes affect behaviour
