Approaches Flashcards
(51 cards)
Define pyschology
The scientific study of the human mind and its functions, especially those functions affecting behaviour in a given context
Define science
A means of acquiring knowledge through systematic and objective investigation. The aim is to discover general laws
Define introspection
The first systematic experimental attempt to study the mind by breaking up conscious awareness into basic structures of thoughts, images and sensations
What did Wilhelm Wundt do
Opened the institute for experimental psychology at university of Leipzig in Germany in 1879.
The first laboratory dedicated to psychology
He separated pyschology from philosophy by analysing the workings of the mind in a more structured way
How was introspection used by Wilhelm Wundt
Highly trained assistants would be given a stimulus such as tucking metronome and would reflect on the experience. They would report how the stimulus made them feel
Evaluation of Wundt
One strength of Wundts work is that some of his methods were systematic and well controlled. All introspections recorded in the controlled environment of the lab reducing extraneous variables. Procedure was standardised so p’s received same information and tested similarly.
However, the work would not be considered scientific today. P’s self reported their mental processes and therefor this data is subjective.
Define behaviourist approach
A way of explaining behaviour in terms of what is observable and in terms of learning
Define classical conditioning
Learning by association. A neutral stimulus when paired with a second stimulus can by association elicit the same response as the second stimulus couple by itself
Define operant conditioning
A form of learning in which behaviour is shaped and maintained by its consequences. Possible consequences include positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement and punishment
Define reinforcement
A consequence of behaviour that increases likelihood of that behaviour being repeated
Talk about classical conditioning by Ivan Pavlov
First to demonstrate classical conditioning. Pavlov revealed that dogs could be conditioned to salivate to the sound of a bell if that sound was repeatedly presented at the same time as they were given food. Gradually, the dogs learned to associate the sound of the bell with the food and would produce the same salivation response every time they heard the sound. Pavlov was able to show how a neural stimulus can come to elicit a new learnt response to through association.
Talk about operant conditioning by Skinner
Showed how positive reinforcement worked by placing a hungry rat in his Skinner box. The box contained a lever in the side and as the rat moved about the box it would accidentally knock the lever. Immediately it did so a food panelled would drop into a container next to the lever. The rats quickly learned to go straight to the lever after a few times of being put in the box. The consequence of recieving food if they pressed the lever ensured that they would repeat the action again and again.
Evaluation of behaviourism
Scientific credibility- behaviourism was able to bring the language and methods of the natural sciences into pyschology by focusing on the measurement of observable behaviour within controlled lab settings. This influenced the development of psychology
Real life applications- operant conditioning is the basis of token economy systems that have been successfully used in institutions such as prisons. Token economy have been used in treatments
What did Bandura state
Argued classical and operant conditioning could not account for all human learning.
There are important mental processes that mediate between stimulus and response
Define imitation
Copying the behaviour of others
Define identification
Factors that make it more likely that an individual will copy behaviour due to having similar characteristics or having something we desire
Define modelling
The process where a role models demonstrates a behaviour to be copied
Vicarious reinforcement
Seeing a role model being rewarded making it more likely the behaviour will be copied
Vicarious punishment
Seeing a role model being punished making it less likely the behaviour will be copied
Define the role of mediation of process
Mental processes that mediate between stimulus and response that may affect if the behaviour is imitated
Define Social learning theory
Described as the bright between traditional learning theory and cognitive approach because it focuses on how mental factors are involved in learning.
What are the four meditational processes in learning proposed by bandura
Attention- the extent to when we notice certain behaviour
Reproduction- the ability of the observer to perform the behaviour
Retention- how well the behaviour is remembered
Motivation- the will to perform the behaviour typically determined by whether the behaviour was rewarded or punished
Talk about bandura et al (1961)
The behaviour of young children who watched an adult behave in an aggressive way towards a bobo doll was recorded. The adult hit the doll with a hammer and shouted abuse at it.
When these children were later observed playing with various toys including the bobo doll they behaved much more aggressively towards the doll than the second group who had observed a non aggressive adult
Talk about bandura and Walter’s (1963)
Children were put into one of 3 groups and shown videos where adults behavd aggressively towards the bobo doll.
1 group observed the model being praised for their behaviour (told well done) and subsequently imagined the aggressive behaviour
A second group observed the model being punished for the behaviour and subsequently showed the least aggression of the 3 groups.
The third group observed the adult receive no consequence neither reward or punishment and showed a level of aggression that fell somewhere between group 1 and 2
