Approaches Flashcards
Behaviour Approach-Main Assumptions
Observable behaviour which can be objectively measured, reject introspection;
Lab. Experiments allow control and objectivity;
Basic processes that humans and animals learn in the same way;
Tabula Rasa= Blank Slate - we become shaped by the process of the learning from the environment;
Nurture
Beh. A- Classical Conditioning
It’s the learning through association and every stimulus has a response. 1 neutral stimulus =1 unconditional response. Then, combined, the neutral and unconditional stimulus and create a conditional stimulus and response.
Beh. A- Operant Conditioning
Learn through consequences.
The aim is to explain more complex behvaiours.
Positive Reinforcement= Receiving an award when certain behaviour is performed.
Negative Reinforcement= Avoids something unpleasant, strengthens behaviours.
Punishment= An unpleasant consequence of behaviour.
Beh. A- Pavlov’s Dog (CC) Experiment
Aim: to investigate if animals such as dogs could learn how to behave through association. Pavlov took a bell and food and the dog would salivate, then ring the bell and give food.
Beh. A- Skinner’s Rats (OC) Experiment
Aim - to investigate OC through the development of Skinner’s box. The rat moves around presses a lever,it drops a food pellet. The rats press the lever to get the food when it stops giving food, they abandoned it. It supports the idea that animals learn through consequences.
Beh. A- Evaluation- Strengths/Weakness
*Strength: Scientific- Lab. Experiments; Empirical- Observable; Practical Applications- teachers, phobias, addictions; Nurture;
*Weakness:
Not useful- used on animals;
Cannot extrapole findings to humans;
Ignores nature;
Unethical- harmul (Little Albert)
Psychology
The scientific form that our brain works towards to create our behaviours.
Wundt - Father of psychology ( Godfather of ¥)
- Father of psychology;
- Paved way due that he was the 1st to open a psychology lab using introspective.
- 1st to create a scientific method to study behaviourism and opened ways for other perspectives.
Rene Descartes & Cartesian Dualism - Godfather of ¥
Cartesian Dualism = mind and body are 2 different identities that are meant to be studied separate.
Early influences include Renee Descartes, his concept was Cartesian dualism.
John Locke & Empiricism & Behaviourism- Godfather of ¥
Empiricism = the belief that all knowledge is derived from sensory experiences.
This is studying a scientific method on the emergence of psychology as a science. He believed individuals are born as a ‘tabula rasa’.
Charles Darwin & Evolution - Godfather of ¥
All humans & animals behaviour has changed over the generations, so that the generations become stronger, more adaptive genes to survive and reproduce.
Watson and the start of behaviourism - Godfather of ¥
Problems with introspective:
- ppts might lie.
- subjective data.
- its not scientific.
Watson: ‘A true science…’ should be focusing on the phenomenon that can be observed and measured. It’s known as empirical method.
But introspective… isn’t observed neither scientific.
Psychology’ History
- Psychology has its roots in 17th and early 19th century philosophy and was once known by experimental philosophy.
- In 1879s Wundt opens the 1st experimental lab. and psychology emerged as a distinct disciple.
- In 1900s Freud emphasised the influence of unconscious mind and the Psychodynamic approach us established.
- In 1913s Watson rejected the vagueness of introspective instead of focusing on how we are as a product of our learning, experiences etc. Behaviourism was established.
- In 1950s Bogers and Maslow rejected the ideias of behaviourism and psychodynamic approach. The Humanistic psychologists emphasised the importance of self- determination and free will.
- In 1960s Bandura provided a Social Learning Theory, providing the bridge between behaviourism and cognitive psychology. Cognitive psychology developed due that technology advanced and psychologists were able to use it on human mind.
- From 1980s onwards, the biological approach begins to be established as a dominant scientific perspective. The advance in technology lead to the understanding of brain and the biological process.
- Eve of the 21st century, cognitive neuroscience emerged as a distinct discipline bringing together the cognitive and biological approach.
Social Learning Theory - Main Assumptions
It’s an indirect learning (reinforcement) of an observation made to a role model’s behaviour and imitating. We also learn directly.
SLT - Vicarious Learning
It’s not directly experienced but occurs through observing someone else being reinforced for a behaviour. Learning takes place by observing the good/bad consequences of model’s actions. Behaviours that brings consequences to a role model is likely to be imitated.A role model must be someone that you identify yourself with.
SLT- Mediational Process
SLT is often described as the bridge between behaviourism and the cognitive approach because it focuses on how cognitive factors are involved in learning.
- Attention: the extent to which we notice certain behaviours.
- Retention: How well the behaviour is remembered.
- Motor reproduction: te ability of the observer to perform the behaviour.
- Motivation: The will to perform the behaviour.
SLT - Identification
A role model it’s usually someone who you identify yourself with. They become role models due to the identification feeling and through this, people imitate their behaviours.
SLT - Bandura’s experiment
Recorded young children watching an adult being aggressive towards the Bobo doll - the adult shouted and used an hammer to hit it. Later, when children were playing they were more aggressive than those who didn’t observe the adult being aggressive.
Cognitive Approach- Main Assumptions
Schemas;
Computer analogue is similar to mind;
Internal mental processes can be studied and are scientific;
Cog App - Computer Analogy
Compare our minds to a computer; it suggests that info flows through the cognitive system in a sequence of stages as seen in MSM. Brain = central processor, coding is how we organise info. It developed ‘thinking machines’.
Cog Appr. - Role of schemas
It’s a pack of information which is based on our previous experimented. Babies are born with simple motor scheme. They’re shortcuts.
Cog Appr - Cognitive Neuroscience
It’s the scientific study of brain structure on mental processes.
Recognising that specific areas of the brain are responsible for specific behaviours was studied as early as 18 century by Paul Broca. Who identified the frontal lobe was responsible for speech production.
fMRI and PET scans are examples of Brain imaging technology allowing the systematic study of the neurological basis of mental processes such as where certain memories are stored.
Cognitive Approach Evaluation - Strength/ Weakness
Strength:
- Scientific & objective - Cog neuroscience
- Schemas - easy and fast to remember
- Thoughts shape behaviour
- Develop of CBT
Weakness:
- A computer will never be as detailed as human brain
- Schemas- Faulty conclusions
- Lab. experiment
- Lack Validity
SLT Evaluation- Strength/ Weakness
*Strength:
Practical applications to real life -> Evidence
Scientific -> Empirical Research to support it
*Weakness:
Lab. experiment-> Controlled environment - Demand characteristics
Lacks validity
Unethical
