Approaches in psychology part 2

The cognitive approach
1. Research methods
  1. Lab experiments - scientific & reliable but low ecological validity
  2. Field experiments - natural situation so high ecological validity, less control of variables
  3. Natural experiments - observations of naturally occurring situations, little control of variables, participants can't be randomly assigned to conditions. High ecological validity, not reliable
2. Principles
  1. Mental systems have limited capacity
  2. Control mechanism oversees all mental processes - more processing power for new tasks, leave less available
  3. Two way flow of info
3. Computer model
  1. Info from keyboard --> computer processor --> info output to monitor
  2. info in from sensory organs --> brain -->info passed back out for action
4. Schema
  1. cognitive framework that helps organise & interpret info in brain
  2. enables shortcuts when interpreting large amounts of info
  3. can lead to stereotypes as make assumptions about people based on incomplete info
5. often make theoretical models - e.g. multi-store model, present pictorial representation of mental processes based on current research
6. Cognitive Neuroscience
  1. neuroscientists now able to study living brain with brain imaging technology like PET and fMRI
  2. helps understand how brain supports different cognitive activities & emotions showing which parts of brain are active during certain tasks
7. Evaluation
  1. application to psychological disorders
    1. used to explain how faulty thinking processes can cause illnesses e.g. depression
    2. let to successful treatments e.g. CBT
    3. helped improve lives of those suffering from illnesses like depression
  2. scientific methods
    1. use scientific methods to collect & evaluate evidence
    2. conclusions about mind based on more than common sense & introspection
    3. conclusions more valid representation of mind
  3. humans are not computers
    1. uses computer models & direct terms to explain human coding e.g. 'encoding', 'storage' retrieval'
    2. important distinctions - computers do not make mistakes or forget
    3. computer models not accurate representation & should be treated with caution
  4. ignores emotion & motivation
    1. how not why
    2. over dependence on computer models explains why emotion & motivation ignored
    3. matters as human minds not computers & emotion & motivation important aspects of behaviour
  5. low ecological validity
    1. tasks in research have little in common with everyday experiences
    2. e.g. memory experiments use artificial materials e.g. random word lists/digits
    3. therefore low ecological validity - doesn't represent real life behaviour
Biological approach
1. influence of genes & biological structures on behaviour
  1. genes - inherited, carry instructions for particular characteristics what develops is party genes part environment
  2. genotype - genetic code in DNA, phenotype - physical appearance due to inherited info
  3. structures like Nervous system play role
    1. nervous system carries messages across body using neurons
    2. aspects of behaviour controlled by neurons: breathing, eating & sexual behaviour
2. influence of neurochemistry & hormones
  1. neurotransmitters
    1. electrochemical impulses transmit messages form one neuron to the next across the synapse
    2. excitatory - trigger impulse inhibitory -stop an impulse from firing
      1. dopamine is a excitatory neurotransmitter associated with drive & motivation
      2. serotonin is inhibitory associated with mood
    3. different levels affect behaviour
  2. hormones
    1. chemicals produced by endocrine glands e.g. pituitary gland
    2. secreted directly into the bloodstream where they travel to target cells causing a physiological reaction
3. Evaluation
  1. scientific methods
    1. experimental methods main method of investigation
    2. these take place in highly controlled environments & use sophisticated imaging & recording techniques e.g PET & fMRI
    3. these are easy to replicate, adding validity to original findings if can be reproduced
  2. treatment of psychological disorders
    1. research into role of neurochemical imbalances in depression = drug treatments which correct imbalances to minimise depressive symptoms
    2. e.g. SSRI's stop reuptake of serotonin in synapse & + serotonin being absorbed by post-synaptic neuron alleviating symptoms of depression
    3. biological approach helped improve lives of many sufferers of depression by providing suitable drug treatments
  3. reductionist
    1. view behaviour can be explained by breaking down into smallest components e.g. genes, neurotransmitters & hormones
    2. e.g. explanation of depression suggests depression is caused by low serotonin levels, ignoring cognitive, emotional & cultural factors
    3. matters as are other factors and this approach ignores
  4. prob with evolutionary explanation of behaviour
    1. behaviours can be transmitted both genetic & cultural routes
    2. many patterns of behaviour have purely cultural origin with no survival or reproductive benefit e.g. musical appreciation
    3. evolutionary explanations are unable to explain behaviours with no survival benefit & therefore is not a complete explanation
  5. danger of genetic explanations
    1. recent research has found genetic basis for criminal behaviour = concerns how info is used
    2. e.g. critics claim could = genetic screening to identify people against risk of criminality could = discrimination
    3. individuals could be labelled as criminals due to genes, when complex behaviours are far from straightforward

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Approaches in psychology part 2

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