APPROACHES ( Origins of psychology , behaviourist approach , social learning theory ) Flashcards
(11 cards)
Outline why Wilhelm Wundt is considered as the father of psychology
Wundt opened the first psychology lab in Leipzig, Germany in 1879. Aimed to study the structure of the human mind scientifically. He used a method cause introspection
Describe the role of introspection as part of Wundt’s work
Introspection is the process by which a person gains knowledge about his or her mental and emotional state. Participants examined and reported their own thoughts, sensations and feelings in response to stimuli. This is significant because it is the first time psychology was studied as a separate , scientific discipline not as part of philosophy
Outline the emergence of psychology as a science
Empiricism is the belief that all knowledge is derived from sensory experience. When empirical methods were first applied in the study of human beings by Wundt , psychology began to emerge as a distinct entity. Wundt’s work led to more structured and controlled research methods , later psychologists used experiments , hypotheses and empirical data shifting psychology to a more scientific approach.
Evaluate origins of psychology
STRENGTHS :
Wundt’s work established psychology as a science : he introduced controlled methods and standardised procedures. Introspection sessions involved time-measured tasks , trained participants and consistent stimuli ensuring replicability.
This made psychology more objective and systematic , laying the foundation for future scientific developments.
LIMITATIONS :
Introspection is highly subjective and lacks scientific reliability : involves individuals reporting their own thoughts. It’s difficult to verify or falsify someone’s inner experiences. Lacked consistent , observable outcomes as two people may perceive same stimulus differently making it unreliable as a scientific method.
Too vague : researchers argued that psychology should be study only observable behaviour that can be measured objectively. Behaviourism used highly controlled lab experiments introducing measurable varibales ( reaction time , response rate ) enhancing scientific credibility of pyschology
Define the behaviourist approach
an approach focusing on observable behaviour that can be measure scientifically.
Outline classical conditioning and the key study
Classical conditioning is learning through association. Pavlov discovered this form of learning through an experiment with dogs. In his study , he presented dogs with food ( UCS) which naturally produced salivation ( UCR).
A bell (NS) was then repeatedly paired with the food . Eventually the bell alone ( CS) triggered salivation (CR)
Outline operant conditioning , the key study and processes
Operant conditioning is learning through consequences. Skinner used the skinner box in which rats learned to perform behaviour in order to receive rewards or punishments.
Consequences:
Positive reinforcement - adding a pleasant stimulus to increase the likelihood of a behaviour ( food reward for pressing a lever )
Negative reinforcement - removing an unpleasant stimulus to increase behaviour ( pressing lever to stop electric shock)
Punishment - applying an unpleasant stimulus to decrease the likelihood of a behaviour ( electric shock following a behaviour)
Evaluate the behaviourist approach
STRENGTHS :
Highly influential in establishing psychology as a science : researchers like pavlov and skinner used standardised procedures , allowing for replicability and empirical validation. Allowed for cause and effect conclusions about behaviour
Real world application : principles of C.C and O.C have been applied successfully to many real - world problems. C.C used to form therapies like SD used to treat phobias. O.C used in education ( reward systems) . Demonstrate practical utility of behaviourist principles in improving human well-being and managing behaviour.
LIMITATIONS :
Environmental determinism : the beh appr assumes all behaviour is caused by conditioning and external stimuli , ignoring free will or internal mental processes. Neglects cognitive and biological influences making it a oversimplified view.
Ethical and methodological issues : key studies used animals raising ethical concerns and questions of generalisability. Skinner’s experiment involved confinement and possible distress. Critics argue that human behaviour is more complex and not fully represented by animal models. Limiting external validity of findings.
Outline the social learning theory and key concepts involved in this approach
SLT - bridge between the behaviourist and cognitive approaches. It argues the behaviour is learned through observation and imitation of others within a social context
Observational learning - observing behaviour of role models and the consequences of those behaviours.
Vicarious reinforcement - observing others being rewarded or punished affecting likelihood of imitation.
Mediational cognitive processes :
1. attention - noticing the behaviour
2. retention - remembering it
3. reproduction - the ability to replicate it
4. motivation - performing the behaviour
Identification - people are likely to imitate behaviour if they identify with the role model
OutLine research into SLT
Children who observed an adult acting aggressively towards the Bobo doll were likely to imitate that aggression.
Children who saw a non-aggressive model were far less aggressive . Shows support for observational learning and vicarious reinforcement
EVALUATE THE SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY
STRENGTHS :
Supported by research evidence : the experiment demonstrated that children do imitate aggression , when behaviour is observed . Explains how media and family influence behaviour.
However hitting a doll may not reflect real-world aggression ( low ecological validity)
Explains cultural differences : explains why behaviour varies across societies , children learn from role models in their environment. Gender roles are learned through observation of same-sex models. More flexible than the biological approach , which struggles to explain cultural variation.
LIMITATIONS
Underestimates the influence of Biology : SLT downplays the role of biological factors like testosterone in aggression eg. boys showed more aggression than girls. SLT may be insufficient for fully explaining complex behaviours like aggression
Issues with Causality : It’s hard to determine whether observed behaviour causes imitation or whether children seek out aggressive role models. Makes it difficult to establish firm cause-and-effect from observational studies.
