Approaches Flashcards
Psychology
The study of the human mind and to functions, especially those affecting behaviour.
Science
The means of acquiring knowledge through systematic and objective investigation.
Introspection (Wundt)
A method first used by Wilhelmina Wundt, it is a systematic method used to study the mind through the process of structuralism.
Structuralism
The act of breaking up the conscious mind into 3 major parts of thoughts, images and feelings and studying them.
Behaviourism
A means of explaining behaviour in terms of what is observable and in terms of learning.
- Considered to be the driving force in the development of psychology as a science.
Classical Conditioning
Learning through association, it occurs when two stimuli are repeatedly paired together (UCS and NS), the NS eventually produces the same response that was first produced by the UCS alone.
Operant Conditioning
Learning by which behaviour is shaped and maintained by its consequence. These include positive or negative reinforcement and punishment.
Reinforcement
A consequence of behaviour that increases the likelihood of that behaviour being repeated
(positive or negative)
Classical Conditioning: Pavlov’s Research
Through multiple experiments, Pavlov conditioned dogs to be classically conditioned to salivate to the sound of a bell, which the dogs would associate with food.
Pavlov’s Experiment
Food ——> Salivation
(UCS) (UR)
Bell + Food ——> Salivation
(NS) (UCS) (UR)
Bell ——> Salivation
(CS) (CR)
Operant Conditioning: Skinner’s Research
The Skinner Box
Positive Reinforcement
Receiving a reward when a certain behaviour is performed.
E.g; praise from a teacher when answering a question correctly in class.
Negative Reinforcement
The avoidance of something unpleasant.
E.g; when a student hands in an essay to avoid receiving a detention.
Punishment
An unpleasant consequence of behaviour
E.g; Receiving a detention for not handing an essay in.
