Approaches to Psychology

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A2 Psychology (Approaches) Flashcards on Approaches to Psychology, created by James Dobson on 13/06/2017.
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Behaviourist Approach main idea Behaviour is learned, and therefore can be un-learned
Behaviourist Approach Classical conditioning Learning through association - The UCS produces an UCR - The NS produces no response - The UCS is paired with the NS to produce an UCR - After conditioning, the NS is nw the CS which produces the CR
Behaviourist Approach Evaluation point 1 (Phobias) I: A strength of classical conditioning is that it's led to the development of treatments for phobias. J: For example, systematic desensitisation is based on classical conditioning which works by eliminating the leaned anxious response. E: Therefore, Pavlov's findings are useful for phobia treatment.
Behaviourist Approach Evaluation point 2 (Animals learn for survival) I: Different species have different capabilities to learn through classical conditioning. J: It has been found that animals are prepared to learn only associations that are essential for survival. E: This is a limitation of classical conditioning
Behaviourist Approach Skinner's research of operant conditioning - Rat moves around cage and accidentally presses lever which puts food (reinforcer) in cage - The rat then presses the lever to get more food
Behaviourist Approach Positive reinforcement When a behaviour produces a consequence that is positive/pleasant and so makes it more likely for the behaviour to reoccur
Behaviourist Approach Negative reinforcers They remove something unpleasant and so restore something to its pre-aversive state, e.g. turning an alarm off
Behaviourist Approach Evaluation point 1 (Experimental method) I: Operant conditioning relies on the experimental method J: Skinner's box was a good example of this approach in practice because he could manipulate the IV to see if it affected the DV E: Therefore, he could establish a cause and effect relationship
Behaviourist Approach Evaluation point 2 (Animals not humans) I: Skinner's research was criticised for his study being on animals and not humans J: Critics claim that his reliance on rats shows us little about human behaviour E: Therefore this is a limitation of operant conditioning because it doesnt take into account human's free will
Social learning theory main idea and psychologist Bandura We learn behaviour from imitating other people
Social learning theory Modelling - Someone must model an attitude or behaviour to be learned - Live models: parents, teachers - Symbolic model: people on TV
Social learning theory Imitation - When a model is present whole patterns of behaviour can be rapidly acquired - Key factors: characteristics of the model, observers perceived ability to perform that behaviour, observed consequences of the behaviour
Social learning theory Identification - The extent to which an individual relates to a model - Someone identifies with a model if they that they're similar enough to experience the same outcome of the situation that the model did - Children are more likely to identify to same sex models - Behaviour is more likely to be imitated and therefore social learning will be more effective
Social learning theory Vicarious reinforcement - Children who observe a model being rewarded for aggressive behaviour are more likely to imitate it - Individuals don't need experience direct rewards/punishments to learn, but they can observe a model's outcome and judge if they'd experience that outcome too
Social learning theory The role of the mediational process - In order for social learning to take place, the observer must form mental a mental representation of the models behaviour and what might happen in situations in the future - In the future, the individual may show the observed behaviour if the expectation if the positive consequence is greater than the negative consequence
Social learning theory Key Study Bandura et al
Social learning theory Procedure - Half exposed to models being aggressive to bobo doll and other half exposed to models not being aggressive - Children were frustrated after being shown toys they couldn't play with - Taken to room with toys in, including bobo dol
Social learning theory Findings - Children who observed aggressive model: good deal of physical and verbal aggression resembling model - Children who observed non-aggressive model: virtually no aggression towards bobo doll
Social learning theory Evaluation point 1 (Criminal behaviour) I: The SLT helps is understand criminal behaviour J: Research suggests that the probability of someone engaging in criminal behaviour increases when they are exposed to models committing that behaviour E: Therefore, there is useful applications of this theory
Social learning theory Evaluation point 2 (Similar models) I: There is research support for identification J: Research shows that people were more likely to copy virtual models exercising that looked similar to them than a dissimilar model E: Therefore learning is more effective from simial models
Social learning theory Evaluation point 3 (Problem of causality) I: There is a problem of causality in the SLT J: Research suggests that young people who possess deviant attitudes and values seek out peers with similar views E: Therefore deviant behaviour may not be to do with imitation of role models
Cognitive approach main ideas - Focuses on how people perceive, store and manipulate info, e.g. memory - Looks at internal mental processes e.g. thinking
Cognitive approach The study of internal mental processes - The role of schemas - The role of theoretical and computer models
Cognitive approach Schemas A cognitive framework that helps to organise and interpret information in the brain
Cognitive approach The role of schemas - Schemas help an individual make sense of new information - Useful because they allow us to take shortcuts when interpreting big amounts of info - They help us fill in the gaps of info
Cognitive approach The role theoretical and computer models - Theoretical models in psychology such as the multi store model of memory are simplified, pictorial representations of a particular mental process based on current research evidence - Computer models refer to the process of using computer analogies as a representation of human cognition
Cognitive approach The emergence of cognitive neuroscience - Cognitive neuroscience is an area of psychology dedicated to the underlying neural bases of cognitive functions - The use of non invasive neuroimaging techniques such as PET and MRI scans help psychologists understand how the brain works
Cognitive approach Evaluation point 1 (Application to psychopathology) I: A strength of the cognitive approach is that it has many applications in psychology J: In psychopathology this has been used to explain how dysfunctional behaviour can be linked to faulty thinking processes E: This has therefore lead to treatments of people suffering from illnesses such as depression and OCD
Cognitive approach Evaluation point 2 (Scientific conclusions) I: The approach is scientific J: The use of experimental method gives data that can help reach evaluations/conclusions about how the mind works E: This means the conclusion are more than common sense
Cognitive approach Evaluation point 3 (Fails to say why cognitive processes take place) I: A problem is that is fails to tell us why cognitive processes take place J: This is because the approach ignores emotion and motivation E: This may be because of too many information processing analogies, as motivation is clearly irrelevant to a computer
The biological approach main idea Behaviour can be explained through inheriting characteristics from one generation to the next
The biological approach Genotype The genetic make-up of an individual that is passed down through generations and creates a phenotype
The biological approach Phenotype The characteristics of an individual, these can be physical, behavioural or psychological
The biological approach Influence of biological structure Includes: - Neurons and the nervous system - The central nervous system comprises the brain and spinal chord - The peripheral nervous system comprises the somatic and autonomic nervous systems
The biological approach Lobes in the brain and their functions - Frontal lobes: speech, thought, learning - Parietal lobes: touch, temperature, pain - Occipital lobes: visual information - Temporal lobes: hearing and memory
The biological approach Influence of neurochemistry - Nerve impulses reaches end of one neuron and a chemical transmitter is released - Neurotransmitter travels from one neuron to the next across a synapse - Stimulate brain into action = excitatory - Calm brain down = inhibitory
The biological approach Evolution Charles Darwin: - The change over successive generations of the genetic makeup of a particular population - The genotype is changed rather than fixed which is called natural selection
The biological approach Evaluation point 1 (Scientific method) I: A strength of the biological approach is that it uses the scientific method J: Studies take place in a highly controlled environment which makes it easy to replicate E: This shows that the biological approach his high reliability
The biological approach Evaluation point 2 (Neurochemical imbalance in depression) I: A strength of the biological approach is that it provides clear predictions J: For example research into the neurochemical imbalance in depression has lead to the development of drug treatments E: This therefore is a real world application
The biological approach Evaluation point 3 (Need to take into account other influencing factors) I: A limitation of this approach is that it breaks down complex human behaviour into smaller things J: Critics argue we cant fully understand behaviour without taking account of the other factors that influence it, e.g. cognitive and cultural E: This suggests the biological approach is reductionist
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