Approaches Key Info Flashcards
(24 cards)
Introspection
Making inferences about internal mental processes based on observed and described behaviour.
‘Internal perception’
1) Pps trained to objectively report conscious experiences
2) Focus on repeatable sensory object (e.g. ticking metronome)
3) Systematically report experience of object through sensations, feelings & images.
4) Wundt & trained observers use inferences
to develop general theories on mental processes.
Wundt’s Goals of Psychology
- Identify components of consciousness
- Identify combination of components to lead to conscious experience
Psychology as a Science Evaluation
+ Relies on objective/ systematic methods
+ Belief in determinism establishes cause & effect
- Doesn’t look at behaviour in natural environment
- Lots is unobservable (e.g. Freud)
Features of a science
- IV & DV
- Reliability
- Scientific Method
- Scientific Cycle
- Controlled conditions
Introspection Evaluation
Strengths
+ Highly scientific => Controlled, large sample, transparent method, systematic approach
+ Argued for determinism > objectivity > Useful apps (e.g. cognitive psych, therapy)
Weaknesses
- Subjectivity & bias of Self-report > unreliable
- Inference = not scientific (we cannot observe the mind)
Classical Conditioning [Behaviour]
(a.k.a associative learning)
Unconditioned response can be triggered by a NS through repeated pairing, eventually producing conditioned response.
NS => No response
UCS => UCR
UCS + NS => UCR
CS (NS) => CR (UCR)
Operant Conditioning
[Behaviour]
(a.k.a learning by reinforcement)
Creatures perform voluntary actions and subsequently learn about the consequences of the actions.
Skinner’s Research
[Behaviour]
Rats/pigeons => ‘Skinner Box’
Animals placed in and Skinner observed how they learned to operate levers to receive a reward/avoid punishment.
Demonstrated that behaviour is influenced by consequences.
Extinction
If reinforcing consequences stop, animal stops performing behaviour.
Behaviour Shaping
It is possible to train animals to perform very complex behaviour by gradually rewarding progressively more complex behaviours.
Classical vs Operant
Classical
- Involuntary response
- Acquisition of responses
(e.g. developing a phobia)
Operant
- Voluntary Response
- Maintenance of responses (e.g. avoiding phobias)
Evaluation of Behaviourist Approach
Strengths
- Scientific: objectively observable & studies S-R mechanisms
- Highly replicable (lab controlled)
- Practical applications (e.g. counter-conditioning)
Weaknesses
- Not generalisable: uses animals - less complex creatures
- Unethical to apply to humans as they are manipulative
- Reductionist: simplistic S-R links
Social Learning Theory
Agrees with behaviourism principles but argues human behaviour involves cognitive processes in a social context.
Vicarious Reinforcement
Mimicking someone actions after observing them being rewarded for their actions (and vice versa for punishment).
Modelling
Individuals we observe & emulate.
Live models = real people
Symbolic models = fictional characters
Identification
We are more likely to imitate models with similar characteristics (e.g. gender).
Mediational Factors
Behaviour can’t be understood without understanding cognitive processes of stimuli and response.
- Attention: Focus on specific behaviours.
- Retention: Remember observed behaviours.
- Reproduction: Belief in ability to replicate behaviour.
- Motivation: Willingness to perform behaviour, influenced by expected outcomes.
Missing one process means behaviour is not imitated.
Bandura’s Research (1961)
Tested whether children would imitate aggressive behaviour of adults towards a bobo doll.
1 group observed aggressive behaviour, the other non-aggressive.
Children were more likely to be aggressive if they saw it demonstrated, especially if they identified with the role model.
Bandura Variation (1963)
Tested whether the same was true of symbolic models as were true of real models.
Found that symbolic and real models had similar effects on children.
Bandura Variation (1965)
Tested whether children would imitate if they saw the punishment that followed.
(i.e. Vicarious reinforcement)
Children were far less aggressive if they saw the negative consequences of aggression.
Evaluation
Strengths
- Supporting evidence (e.g. Bandura)
- Less reductionist: more detailed understanding of behaviour
- ‘Reciprocal Determinism’ is potentially more valid
Weaknesses
- Bandura lacks ecological validity, temporal validity and applicability
- Research relies on inferences (e.g. mediating factors, identification)
Reciprocal Determinism (Bandura)
Behaviour is influenced by and influences individual factors and the environment.
