Approaches Flashcards
(9 cards)
Origins of psychology
Wilhelm Wundt opened the first psychology laboratory in Germany in 1879 and used it to study the human mind, using a technique known as introspection:
- ‘Father of Experimental Psychology’
- Set up the first laboratory dedicated to experimental psychology.
- Approach became known as structuralism.
- Developed a technique known as introspection.
- Introspection literally means ‘looking into’.
- The process of observing and examining your own conscious thoughts or emotions.
Behaviourist approach: Classical conditioning
Behaviourist approach only studies observable quantifiable behaviour and not internal mental processes. Developed laws that predict how behaviour changes and can be controlled through classical and operant conditioning.
Humans are only animals and should not be treated as any more complex, and because we are only animals, research on animal behaviour will be directly relevant to humans.
- Bell (NS) = no response from dog.
- Food (UCS) = dog salivates (UCR)
- Food (UCS) + Bell (NS) = Dog salivates (UCR)
- Bell (CS) + Dog salivates (CR)
Behaviourist approach: Operant conditioning
Behaviourist approach: attempts to explain behaviour in terms of learning. Behaviourists study changes in behaviour that are caused by a person’s direct experience of their environment, using the principles of classical and operant conditioning. They are determined to be scientific, and therefore refuse to discuss mental processes that might be involved in learning, because they are not observable and cannot be studied objectively.
Operant conditioning: a type of learning investigated by Skinner, in which a new voluntary behaviour is associated with a consequence. Reinforcement (positive or negative) makes the behaviour more likely to occur, whereas punishment makes it less likely to occur.
Social learning theory
Bandura, Ross and Ross (1961)
Aim:
- To investigate if aggression can be learned through modelling.
Procedure:
- 72 children aged between 3 and 6 years took part in one of three conditions:
1) Aggressive model
2) Non-aggressive model
3) Control
Findings:
- Children who saw the aggressive model produced more aggressive acts than those in either of the other groups.
- Boys imitated same sex models more than girls.
- Girls imitated more physical aggression if they saw male models, and more verbal aggression if they saw female models, though generally girls were more verbally aggressive and boys were more physically aggressive.
Conclusion:
- Aggression can be learned through modelling.
Cognitive approach: Internal mental processes
The cognitive approach uses experimental research methods to study internal mental processes such as attention, perception, memory and decision-making.
Cognitive psychologists assume that the mind actively processes information from our senses (touch, taste, etc) and that between stimulus and response is a series of complex mental processes, which can be studied scientifically.
Schemas: cognitive frameworks that help us to organise and interpret information. They are developed through experience and can affect our cognitive processing.
Theoretical and computer models: used by cognitive psychologists to study mental processes. Theoretical models are diagrammatic representations of the steps involved in internal mental processes, e.g. the information-processing model. Computer models are software simulations of internal mental processes that are created in collaboration with computer scientists.
Biological approach
The biological approach attempts to explain behaviour in terms of different biological processes, including genes, hormones and neurotransmitters. According to the biological approach, the brain and the mind are identical, and brain physiology and biochemical imbalances can affect behaviour. Biological psychologists also believe that behaviour can be inherited, as it is determined by genetic factors.
Biological structures - in relation to the biological approach in psychology, biological structures are organs (such as the brain) and systems (such as the nervous system) that influence human behaviour.
Neurochemistry - refers to the chemical processes occurring in the nervous system. For example, the actions of neurotransmitters within the brain.
Evolution - refers to the gradual changes in an inherited characteristic of a species over many generations. Darwin explained this in terms of ‘survival of the fittest’ (i.e. the best adapted to the local environment), meaning that any characteristic or behaviour that increases the chance that an individuals will survive and reproduce, would be passed onto future generations.
Psychodynamic approach
The psychodynamic approach is often described with Sigmund Freud who theorised that our mental activity is mostly unconscious, and that this unconscious activity shapes our behaviour.
Psychoanalysis - he explained that traumatic childhood experiences can lead to psychological disorders, and developed ‘talking cures’ (psychoanalysis) to help relieve problematic repressed memories and relieve symptoms. Freud claimed that all children pass through 5 stages of psycho-sexual development. The unconscious conflicts of this passage are mediated by defence mechanisms, which are coping strategies like repression and denial.
Personality - according to Freud’s tripartite theory of personality, the id is the part of personality that exists from birth, acts according to the ‘pleasure principle’ and is responsible for our basic drives. The ego develops at 2-4 years old and acts according to the ‘reality principle’, balancing the id and the superego. The superego develops around 4-5 years old and acts according to the ‘morality principle’. attempting to control a powerful id with feelings of guilt.
Humanistic approach
Humanistic psychology is an approach that emphasises the study of the whole person and sees people as being active in their own development. It is a person-centred approach, which views every individuals as unique and regards personal growth and fulfilment in life as a basic human motive.
Free will - humanistic psychologists believe that humans have free will. Humans are able to make their own decision and are not determined by biological or environmental factors.
Hierarchy of needs - Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is a theory of human motivation. The needs are presented in a 5-level sequence, where basic needs (e.g. for food and shelter) have to be met before higher psychological needs (e.g. for esteem and self-actualisation). Self-actualisation is the final level or stage of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Maslow found that individuals who attained this level share certain characteristics. These individuals are typically creative and have accurate perception of themselves and the world around them.
Comparison of approaches
Biological:
- Free will vs. Determinism: Biological determinism
- Nature vs. Nurture: Nature
- Reductionism vs. Holism: Biological reductionism
- Idiographic vs. Nomothetic: Nomothetic
- Scientific vs Not Scientific: Scientific
Behaviourist:
- Free will vs. Determinism: Environmental determinism
- Nature vs. Nurture: Nurture
- Reductionism vs. Holism: Environmental reductionism
- Idiographic vs. Nomothetic: Nomothetic
- Scientific vs Not Scientific: Scientific
SLT:
- Free will vs. Determinism: (Soft) determinism
- Nature vs. Nurture: Nurture
- Reductionism vs. Holism: Partially reductionist
- Idiographic vs. Nomothetic: Nomothetic
- Scientific vs Not Scientific: Mostly scientific
Cognitive:
- Free will vs. Determinism: (Soft) determinism
- Nature vs. Nurture: Nature and nurture
- Reductionism vs. Holism: Experimental reductionism
- Idiographic vs. Nomothetic: Nomothetic and idiographic
- Scientific vs Not Scientific: Mostly scientific
Psychodynamic:
- Free will vs. Determinism: Psychic determinism
- Nature vs. Nurture: Mostly nature
- Reductionism vs. Holism: Reductionism and holism
- Idiographic vs. Nomothetic: Nomothetic and idiographic
- Scientific vs Not Scientific: Not scientific
Humanistic:
- Free will vs. Determinism: Free will
- Nature vs. Nurture: Mostly nurture
- Reductionism vs. Holism: Holism
- Idiographic vs. Nomothetic: Idiographic
- Scientific vs Not Scientific: Not scientific
