Approaches + Extra Flashcards
(20 cards)
Describe the method of introspection used by Wundt
Involved recording conscious thoughts by noting them down, then attempting to break these thoughts down into structures. This method was used in the world’s first psychology laboratory, opened by Wundt in 1870s.
How did early behaviourists like John B. Watson critique Introspection?
- Watson criticized the method of introspection for being subjectiveand varying too much from person to person. Subjective means that it is based on personal experiences
- Behaviourists argued that it was impossible to test people’s inward, private thoughts, and that psychology should focus on studying observable behaviour.
Define the Cognitive approach.
Scientific study of the mind as an information processor. It concerns how we take in information from the outside world, and how we make sense of that information.
What is the main assumption of the behaviourist approach?
The main assumption of the behaviourist approach in psychology is that only observable behaviour can, and therefore should, be investigated, as it cannot be known what is happening in ‘the mind’.
Describe the emergence of cognitive neuroscience.
Cognitive neuroscience combines elements of the cognitive and biologicalapproaches. It emphasizes the role of biological structures in determining thought processes.
What is the significance of Wundt’s use of scientific methods.
Wundt’s use of scientific methods, such as ** giving participants the same procedure and instructions** and minimizing the impact of extraneous variables, helped move psychology away from philosophy and towards the scientific method.
What is the Biological Approach?
The biological approach, studied psychology through methods such as brain-scanning techniques and looking at the effect of drugs on behaviour. It emphasizes the role of the brain and physical processes.
Describe the concept of Classical Conditioning as studied by Ivan Pavlov.
- Classical Conditioning is the idea that learning takes place through association.
- Pavlov demonstrated this through experimenting on dogs. When he presented an unconditioned stimulus (food) alongside a neutral stimulus (ringing a bell), the dogs salivated (unconditioned response) at being presented with the food. Once the unconditioned and neutral stimulus were paired a few times, the dog salivated just at the sound of the bell being rung. The bell had become a conditioned stimulus, producing the conditioned response of salivation.
Define Operant Conditioning as studied by BF Skinner.
- Operant Conditioning is the idea that learning takes place throughrewards and punishments.
- Positive reinforcement is when a reward is givenin response to a behaviour, making that behaviour more likely to be repeated.
- Negative reinforcement is when something unpleasant is avoided in response to a behaviour, making that behaviour more likely to be repeated.
- Punishment (an unpleasant consequence) makes a behaviour less likely to be repeated.
How did Skinner test the concept of Operant Conditioning?
- Skinner tested Operant Conditioning using rats and pigeons.
- In the ‘Skinner Box’, rats were placed in a box with a lever, light, and electrified floor. If the rat pressed the lever when the light was off, it would receive a shock, and if it pressed the lever when the light was on, it received a food pellet. The rats quickly learned to push the switch only when the light was on.
Criticisms of the Behaviourist approach.
- Too mechanistic and ignoring the role of thought processes in behaviour, instead seeing humans as passive responders to the environment.
- This is an over-simplistic explanation.
What are some real-world applications of Behaviourist principles?
Behaviourist principles have useful real-world applications, for example in developing treatments for phobias(systematic desensitisation) and token economy systems, where rewards are given for desirable behaviours in patients with mental illnesses.
What is the Social Learning Theory(SLT)?
- Social learning theorists share many of the assumptions of behaviourists;
- that behaviour is conditioned through operant and classical conditioning (direct learning).
Describe the concept of vicarious reinforcement in SLT
Vicarious reinforcement refers to l**earning through observing **someone else being rewarded or punished for a behavior.
State the Four mediational processes suggested by Bandura in social learning theory
The four mediational processes are attention (noticing a behavior), retention (being able to remember it),motor reproduction(the ability to imitate the action), and motivation (the desire to imitate the action.
Explain the role of identification in SLT.
In social learning theory, identification refers to the tendency of children to imitate others’ behavior. They identify with‘role models’, who are likely to be similar to them and have attractive qualities, such as success and status.
How were the Four mediational processes demonstrated in Bandura’s Bobo doll study?
‘Children were shown a film of an adult attacking a Bobo doll, then copied the aggressive actions when placed in a room with the same doll.’ - Experiment
This demonstrated the mediational processes of attention, retention, motor reproduction, and motivation.
What is a schema
- a mental shortcut
- small packages of information that are made up from past experiences
What’s a weakness the cognitive approach
- researchers can only infer what has happened in the mind of a person and dont actually know, becasue minds cannot be read
Describe the computer model(cognitive)
Mind = software
Brain = hardware
works like a computer with an input, which is then proccessed and an output
