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Psychology A Level > Approaches > Flashcards

Approaches Flashcards

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1
Q

Introspection

A

‘Looking into’
Reflect on own cognitive processes and describe them
The first systematic experimental attempt to study the mind by breaking up conscious awareness into basic structures of thoughts, images and sensations.

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2
Q

Rene Descartes

A

Cartesian dualism

Mind and body separate entities

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3
Q

John Locke

A

Empiricism
Knowledge derived from sensory experience, studied using scientific method
Formed basis of behaviourist approach

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4
Q

Charles Darwin

A

Evolution
Human and animal behaviour changed over generations. Individuals with more adaptive genes survive and reproduce (survival of the fittest)

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5
Q

Wilhelm Wundt

A

‘Principles of physiological psychology’
Opened 1st psych laboratory
‘Father of psychology’
Structuralism- isolating the structure of consciousness, breaking down behaviours into basic elements

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6
Q

Scientific method

A

All behaviour is seen as being caused (determined)
If behaviour determines, should be possible to predict how individuals would behave in different conditions (predictability)
Objective
Systematic
Replicable

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7
Q

Objective

A

Fair
Unbiased
Based on facts/evidence

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8
Q

Systematic

A

Prescribed procedure

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9
Q

Replicable

A

Can be repeated again in same way with same results

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10
Q

Introspection evaluation: strengths

A

Pavlov and Thorndike-reproducible results could be generalised to all
May not seem scientific but used today to gain access to cognitive processes (Griffiths asked think aloud)

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11
Q

Introversion evaluation: weaknesses

A

Relies on non-observable responses
Unable to comment on unconscious factors
Subjective data (varied from people) so difficult to establish general principles, results not reproduced

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12
Q

Scientific approach evaluation: strengths

A

Info acquired from replicable methods

Scientific knowledge is ever-evolving (self-corrective)

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13
Q

Scientific approach evaluation: weaknesses

A

Controlled situations=artificial behaviour
Unobservable so can’t be measured with any degree of accuracy
Not all agree behaviour can be explored through scientific methods

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14
Q

Empiricism

A

Belief that all knowledge is derived from sensory experience and can be studied using scientific method

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15
Q

Structuralism

A

Breaking down behaviours into their basic elements

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16
Q

JB Watson

A

Rejected vagueness of introspection and focussing on how we are a product of our learning, experience and environment

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17
Q

Assumptions of behaviourist approach

A

Observable behaviour
Scientific- observed in high control
When born, mind is blank slate
Learning in humans and animals are almost the same
Behaviour=result of stimulus, produces response
Learnt from environment (classical/operant)

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18
Q

Stimulus

A

Anything that brings about a response

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19
Q

Response

A

Any reaction in the presence of a stimulus

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20
Q

Reinforcement

A

The process by which a response is strengthened

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21
Q

Conditioning

A

Shaping or changing a behaviour

Classical and operant

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22
Q

Classical conditioning

A

Learning through association
Pavlov’s dogs
Involves pairing a response naturally caused by one stimulus with another previously neutral stimulus

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23
Q

Skinner claimed..

A

All behaviour is learnt as a result of consequences in environment
Operant conditioning

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24
Q

Operant conditioning

A

Learning from consequences like gaining rewards or punishments
Skinner’s rats
Association between response and consequence has to be made close together in time for learning to occur

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25
Positive reinforcement
Increases the likelihood of a response because it involves a reward for the behaviour
26
Negative reinforcement
Increases the likelihood of a response because it removes an unpleasant consequence
27
Positive punishment
Receiving something unpleasant
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Negative punishment
Removing something desirable
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Behaviourist approach strengths
Scientific Replicable Quantitative data Can be applied to real world, produced practical applications
30
Behaviourist approach weaknesses
``` Ignores mental processes Reductionist-only looks at biology Deterministic-ignores free will Lack ecological validity Research unethical Lack qualitative data (feelings) Data from animals ```
31
Cognitive approach
Behaviour is determined by the way we process information taken in from our environment Behaviour in terms of thoughts, beliefs, attitudes
32
Assumptions of cognitive approach
Events within a person Possible to study internal mental processes Insight into mental processes may be inferred from behaviour How thinking shapes behaviour
33
Cognitive processes
Way in which knowledge is gained, retained and used
34
Internal mental processes
Humans are information processors | How info received from senses is processed by brain and how this directs how we behave
35
Mental processes studied by cognitive psychologists
``` Perception Attention Memory Language Thinking Problem solving ```
36
Schema
Building blocks of knowledge Mental structures that represent an aspect of world Help make sense of world by providing short cuts Developed from experience
37
Theoretical and computer models
``` Compare human mind to computer Take info (input), store or change (process), recall when necessary (output) ```
38
Computer analogy
Brain = hardware | Cognitive processes = software
39
Cognitive neuroscience
The scientific study of biological structures that underpin cognitive processes Interested in social cognition : brain regions involved when interacting
40
Cognitive approach strengths
Scientific, controlled research Computer models help understand unobservable mental processes Less deterministic (think before responding) Useful applications Successfully integrated into other approaches
41
Cognitive approach weaknesses
'Man as machine' = simplistic, reductionist, ignoring emotional, motivational and social factors in human behaviour Lab experiments - lack ecological validity Ignores why cognitive processes happen
42
Albert Bandura proposed
Important mental processes lie between stimulus and response Bridge between behavioural and cognitive approach
43
Assumptions of social learning approach
Human rather than animal behaviour People as active manipulators of own environment rather than passive receivers of experiences (responsible for behaviour) Learning occurs through the observation of role models Learning can occur without reinforcement Mediational processes
44
Mediational processes
Observational learning uses cognitive processes such as memory. Occur between stimulus and response
45
4 stages of modelling
Attention Retention Motor reproduction Motivation
46
Attention
Noticing the behaviour
47
Retention
Remembering the behaviour
48
Motor reproduction
It has to be physically possible
49
Motivation
Has to be a reason to want to copy the model
50
Acquisition of behaviour
Attention | Retention
51
Performing of a behaviour
Reproduction | Motivation
52
Expectancy
Behaviour only imitated if there's an expectancy of reinforcement Motivated by results
53
Self-efficacy
Belief that behaviour can be imitated
54
Social learning approach strengths
Considers cognitive factors in learning Based on lab exp Less deterministic and reductionist Explains development of culture Explains learning of complex behaviours (aggression) Applied to many areas of psychology (gender development)
55
Social learning approach weaknesses
Ignores biology Mostly on external behaviour Doesn't explain individual differences (reinforcement may have diff affect) Lab exp = artificial
56
Biological approach
Tries to explain how we think, feel and behave in terms of physical factors within the body Physiology - the study of the body and its parts and how they function
57
Assumptions of biological approach
Everything psychological is first biological How biological structures and processes impact behaviour Behaviour has physiological cause - genetically/ environmentally altered Genes affect Study brain Mind lives in brain
58
Genetic basis of behaviour
Trying to determine and provide evidence for the extent to which behaviour, or a characteristic such as intelligence are the product of inheritance, or environmental influences
59
Methods of investigating genetic basis of behaviour
Twin studies Family studies Adoption studies Selective breeding
60
Concordance rates
Extent to which a pair of twins share similar traits or characteristics
61
100% concordance rate
Between MZ twins if particular characteristics is genetic
62
Francis Galton proposed
All natural abilities are inherited | Later agreed that any resemblance between relatives could be because of environment
63
Selective breeding
Artificially selecting animals for a trait, breeding for offspring
64
Genotype
Actual set of genes an individual has
65
Phenotype
Individuals anatomical features or observed traits
66
Evolution
The changes in inherited characteristics in a biological population over successive generations
67
Biological approach strengths
Scientific Establishes psychology as a respectable science-lends credence to study of psychology Lead to treatment Measurements from machines
68
Biological approach weaknesses
``` Deterministic (no free will) Reductionist (not unique as individuals) Ignores environment Research focus on rare conditions that have little impact on everyday lives of most Human error with machines Correlations don't mean cause and effect Small samples Lab exp ```
69
Human nervous system divides into
Central nervous system (CNS) | Peripheral nervous system (PNS)
70
CNS divides into
Brain | Spinal cord
71
PNS divides into
Autonomic nervous system | Somatic nervous system
72
Autonomic nervous system divides into
Sympathetic nervous system | Parasympathetic nervous system
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PNS
transmits messages via millions of neurones to and from CNS
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Somatic nervous system
Part of PNS responsible for carrying sensory and motor info to and from spinal cord
75
Autonomic nervous system (ANS)
Governs vital functions in body such as breathing, heart rate
76
Two divisions of ANS are
Mostly antagonistic, so work in opposition to each other
77
Sympathetic nervous system actions
``` Slows digestion Inhibits saliva production Increases heart rate Stimulates glucose production Stimulates urination Dilates pupils Dilates bronchi ```
78
Parasympathetic nervous system actions
``` Increases digestion Increases saliva production Decreases heart rate Stimulates bile production Inhibits urination Constricts pupils Constricts bronchi ```
79
Sympathetic nervous system
Generally prepares the body to expend energy for fight or flight
80
Parasympathetic nervous system
Generally maintains and conserves body energy and functions
81
The endocrine system
In charge of body processes that happen slowly e.g. cell growth/hormones
82
Adrenaline
Released into bloodstream, prepares body for fight or flight by constricting blood vessels in stomach - inhibits digestion - sick feeling, increased heart rate

Psychology A Level (9 decks)

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