PAPER 2 Flashcards
(18 cards)
What are the key principles of the Behaviourist Approach?
Focuses on observable behavior.
Classical Conditioning (Pavlov) – learning through association.
Operant Conditioning (Skinner) – behavior is shaped by reinforcement and punishment.
Explain Classical Conditioning and give an example.
Learning occurs through association between a neutral stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus.
Example: Pavlov’s dogs salivated when they heard a bell after the bell was paired with food.
What is Operant Conditioning and what are the types of reinforcement and punishment?
Behavior is shaped by its consequences.
Positive reinforcement: Adding something pleasant to encourage behavior.
Negative reinforcement: Removing something unpleasant to encourage behavior.
Punishment: Introducing an unpleasant stimulus to reduce behavior.
What is Social Learning Theory and what are the key principles?
Learning occurs through observing and imitating others.
Key principles: Vicarious reinforcement, role models, and imitation.
Example: Bandura’s Bobo Doll experiment where children imitated aggressive behavior.
What is the main focus of the Cognitive Approach in psychology?
Focuses on mental processes such as memory, perception, and problem-solving.
Uses models like the Information Processing Model and the Working Memory Model to explain cognitive functions.
Explain the components of the Working Memory Model (WMM).
Central Executive: Manages attention and coordinates information.
Phonological Loop: Stores and processes verbal information.
Visuospatial Sketchpad: Handles visual and spatial information.
Episodic Buffer: Integrates information from different sources.
What are the key principles of the Biological Approach in psychology?
Focuses on the biological basis of behavior, including brain structures, neurotransmitters, and genetics.
Key aspects include the role of neurotransmitters, the influence of genes, and how brain structures impact behavior.
What is the function of the Central Nervous System (CNS) and the Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)?
CNS: Composed of the brain and spinal cord, it processes information and coordinates activities.
PNS: All nerves outside the CNS, it transmits messages between the body and CNS.
How do neurotransmitters influence behavior?
Neurotransmitters are chemicals that transmit signals between neurons.
Example: Dopamine is linked to motivation and reward, serotonin influences mood, and GABA regulates anxiety.
What is the function of the endocrine system?
The endocrine system releases hormones (chemical messengers) into the bloodstream.
Adrenaline prepares the body for the fight-or-flight response, and oxytocin is involved in bonding and social behavior.
What are the functions of the main parts of the brain?
Frontal lobe: Decision-making, planning, higher cognitive functions.
Parietal lobe: Processes sensory information.
Occipital lobe: Visual processing.
Temporal lobe: Auditory information, memory processing.
Amygdala: Emotion processing, particularly fear.
Hippocampus: Memory formation.
What happens during the fight or flight response?
The sympathetic nervous system is activated, releasing adrenaline.
This increases heart rate, dilates pupils, and prepares the body for action.
What are the types of experimental methods in psychology?
Lab experiment: Conducted in controlled conditions, high internal validity.
Field experiment: Conducted in a natural setting, more ecological validity, but lower control.
Natural experiment: The researcher observes pre-existing conditions or naturally occurring events without manipulation.
What is random sampling and why is it important?
In random sampling, every individual has an equal chance of being selected for the study.
Ensures the sample is representative of the population, reducing bias.
What are the main data collection methods in psychology?
Observations: Naturalistic (in real-world settings) or controlled (in a lab).
Self-report methods: Questionnaires (fixed questions) and interviews (structured or unstructured).
What are the key ethical issues in psychological research?
Informed consent: Participants must be fully informed and agree to participate.
Right to withdraw: Participants must be able to leave the study at any time without consequences.
Deception: Participants should not be misled unless absolutely necessary.
Confidentiality: Personal data must be kept private.
Protection from harm: No physical or psychological harm should come to participants.
How do you assess the reliability and validity of research?
Reliability: The consistency of results.
Test-retest reliability: If the study is repeated, it should yield similar results.
Inter-rater reliability: Consistency between different researchers’ observations.
Validity: Whether the study measures what it intends to.
Internal validity: The degree to which the study measures what it is supposed to measure.
External validity: The ability to generalize findings to other settings, populations, or times.
