Approaches

Question 1

Behaviourist approach

Answer 1

Explains behaviour in terms of learning. Changed in behaviour caused by direct experience of environment. Classical and operant conditioning. Scientific. Does not discuss mental processes

Question 2

Biological approach

Answer 2

Explains behaviour through biological process e.g genes. Behaviour can be inherited, down to brain physiology or chemical imbalances.

Question 3

Cognitive approach

Answer 3

Experimental research methods to study internal mental processes e.g memory. Scientific. Humans viewed as data processing systems - minds encode and store info like computer.

Question 4

Congruence (humanistic)

Answer 4

View of ideal self and actual self and similar

Question 5

Definition of defence mechanisms

Answer 5

Unconscious strategies used by ego to manage anxiety by redirecting psychic energy

Question 6

Denial

Answer 6

Threatening thought ignored or treated as if not true

Question 7

Displacement

Answer 7

Emotions directed away from source towards something else

Question 8

Development age of ego

Answer 8

2-4 years old

Question 9

Emergence of cognitive neuroscience

Answer 9

Academic field that studies influence of brain structures on mental processing. Emergence occurred due to advances in brain imaging techniques

Question 10

Humanistic approach

Answer 10

Emphasise study of whole person, sees people as active in their own development. Every individual unique

Question 11

Id development age

Answer 11

Present at birth

Question 12

Inferences

Answer 12

Conclusions reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning

Question 13

Introspection

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Operant conditioning

Answer 14

Behaviour associated with consequence. Reinforcement makes behaviour more likely to occur, punishment makes it less likely to occur

Question 15

Repression

Answer 15

Burying an unpleasant thought in the unconscious

Question 16

Schemas

Answer 16

Cognitive frameworks that help us organise and interpret info. Developed through experiences

Question 17

Self actualisation

Answer 17

Final level of hierarchy of needs. Reaching full potential and becoming best version of yourself

Question 18

Social leaning theory

Answer 18

Learning through observation and imitation. Importance of environment but also of mental processes

Question 19

Superego development age

Answer 19

4-5 years old

Question 20

4 mediational processes

Answer 20

Attention, retention, reproduction, motivation

Question 21

Watson (emergence of psychology as a science)

Answer 21

Watson had a problem with introspection only producing subjective data because it was difficult to establish general principles. Believed that a true scientific psychology should only study what can be observed and measured.

Question 22

3 types of consequences in operant conditioning

Answer 22

Positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement and punishment.

Question 23

2 strengths of behaviourism

Answer 23

+ scientific credibility. emphasised importance of scientific processes e.g replication and objectivity, so been influential in development of psych as science, gives it greater credibility + status
+ real life app. OP token economies have been successful, CC treating phobias

Question 24

2 strengths of SLT

Answer 24

+ CC and OP dont offer good explanation of learning on their own. SLT provides comprehensive explanation of learning by recognising mediational processes
+ explains cultural differences in behaviour. cultural norms in societies, children understanding their gender role

Question 25

2 weaknesses of behaviourism

Answer 25

- mechanistic view of behaviour. humans seen as passive and machine-like responders to environment. SLT suggests people play active role in learning, mental processes etc - environmental determinism. behaviour determined by past experiences. ignores influence of free will

Question 26

2 weaknesses of SLT

Answer 26

- over-reliance on lab studies. children may have hit bobo doll bc thats what they thought they were expected to do (demand c). tells us little about how learning happens every day - underestimates influence of biological factors. boys were more aggressive in bobo, may be explained by hormones.

Question 27

3 strengths of cognitive approach

Answer 27

+ scientific and objective methods. lab studies producing objective data. neuroscience has allowed study of mind to develop a credible scientific basis + real life app. made contribution to AI and development of 'thinking machines' + less determinist than other approaches. we can only operate within limits of what we know, but we are free to think before responding to a stimulus

Question 28

2 weaknesses of cognitive

Answer 28

- machine reductionism. computer analogy ignores influence of human emotion. memory can be influenced by emotional factors e.g anxiety in EWT - application to everyday life. only able to infer so may be too abstract and theoretical in nature. tasks often use artificial stimuli too e.g memory tests so lack external validity

Question 29

2 strengths of biological approach

Answer 29

+ scientific methods of investigation. e.g fMRIs and family studies. approach is based on reliable data + real life application. understanding biochemical processes in brain led to development of psychoactive drugs. sufferers are able to manage condition and live normal life rather than stay in hospital.

Question 30

2 weaknesses of biological approach

Answer 30

- casual conclusions. evidence for neurotransmitters in mental illnesses comes from relationship of drug reducing symptoms. the association does not equal causation. claims to have discovered causes when only association exists - deterministic. human behaviour governed by internal biological causes that cant be controlled. offenders seen responsible for their actions

Question 31

2 strengths of psychodynamic approach

Answer 31

+ explanatory power. significant in drawing attention to connection between childhood experiences and later development. + practical application. psychoanalysis. hypnosis and dream analysis, it is the forerunner for modern day psychotherapies

Question 32

2 weaknesses of psychodynamic approach

Answer 32

- case studies. criticised because its not possible to make univeral claims about human nature based on small number of individuals who were psychologically abnormal. Interpretations were highly subjective e.g Hans. Freud lacks scientific rigour - untestable concepts. Popper argued Freud doesnt meet falsification. concepts said to occur at an unconscious level so impossible to test.

Question 33

2 strengths of humanistic approach

Answer 33

+ not reductionist. advocates holism, acknowledges whole person. doesnt attempt to break up human behaviour into smaller parts. more validity than alternatives as considers meaningful human behaviour in its real life context + positive approach. 'brings person back into psychology'. offers refreshing and optimistic view seeing people as free to work towards their potential and in control of their lives

Question 34

2 weaknesses of humanistic approach

Answer 34

- limited application. lacks sound evidence-base so has had limited impact in psychology. been described as a loose set of abstract concepts - cultural bias. many ideas e.g personal growth are associated with individualist western cultures. collectivist cultures like india emphasise community and interdependence. approach wouldnt travel well and is a product of the cultural contect that it was developed in

Question 35

Whats the correct order of psychosexual stages

Answer 35

Oral, anal, phallic, latency, genital

Question 36

Oral, anal, and phallic age

Answer 36

oral: 0-1 anal: 1-3 phallic: 3-6 (focus of pleasure is genital)

Question 37

What happens at latency and genital stage

Answer 37

Latency: earlier conflicts are repressed Genital: sexual desires become conscious alongside onset of puberty

Question 38

Comparison of biological approach

Answer 38

Biological determinism: behaviour controlled by bio factors Nature: behaviour result of innate bio factors Biological Reductionism: behaviour broken down into biological structures/processes Nomothetic: creates universal laws Scientific: promotes scientific methods of investigation

Question 39

Comparison of behaviourist approach

Answer 39

Environmental determinism: behaviour controlled by stimulus-controlled conditioning Nature: humans born as blank slate so behaviour is learned Environmental Reductionism: behaviour broken down into simple stimulus-response stimulation Nomothetic: creates universal laws Scientific: uses lab and animal experiments

Question 40

Comparison of SLT approach

Answer 40

Soft Determinism: behaviour controlled by environmental forces but humans have responsibility and free choice Nurture: behaviour learnt from observation and VR Partially reductionist: shares views of behaviourist and cognitive Nomothetic: attempts to establish general laws of behaviour Mostly Scientific: Uses scientific methods but takes into account mediational processes

Question 41

Comparison of cognitive approach

Answer 41

Soft Determinism: behaviour controlled by mediational processes but humans can choose what info to attend to Nature and Nurture: behaviour product of info processing and experience Experimental Reductionism: behaviour investigated in terms of isolated variables e.g STM Nomothetic and Idiographic: attempts to establish general laws but takes idiographic approach with case studies Mostly Scientific: uses scientific methods however unable to directly observe cognitive processes

Question 42

Comparison of psychodynamic approach

Answer 42

Psychic Determinism: behaviour determined by unconscious drives and childhood experiences Mostly Nature: Behaviour product of innate drives but is shaped by childhood experiences Reductionism and Holism: behaviour reduced to innate drives while taking into account multiple aspects of human behaviour Nomothetic and Idiographic: attempts to establish general laws to innate drives but considers unique experiences (childhood) Not Scientific: examines concepts that cant be empirically tested, relies on subjective interpretation

Question 43

Comparison of humanistic approach

Answer 43

Free Will: humans control their environment are capable of change Mostly Nurture: behaviour shaped by environment as humans strive to achieve self actualisation Holism: focus on understanding all aspects of human experience and interaction Idiographic: focus on subjective human experience and doesnt attempt to make general laws Not Scientific: rejects scientific methods so therefore unable to provide empirical evidence