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32 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Origins of psychology |
Psychology is the scientific study of behaviour and the mind. The scientific method is a step by step process used for investigating and understanding of the human mind. The scientific method refers to the use of investigative methods that are objective, systematic and replicable Evaluation of scientific method to psychology Strengths Show cause and effect Controlled si can be replicated using empirical methods Weaknesses Lacks ecological validity Not all psychologists share view that human behaviour can be explored through scientific methods |
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4 goals to psychology |
Description- what has occurred Explanation- why behaviour or mental process has occurred Prediction- identified conditions which a future behaviour or mental process are likely to occur Change- applies psychological knowledge to prevent behaviour |
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Emergence of psychology as a science |
17th and 19th century- experimental philosophy and empiricial approach 1875- wundt established the first psychological lab and he used introspection which is the examination of how mental processes work and an attempt to study the mind by breaking up conscious awareness into thoughts emotions and sensations 1960- cognitive approach 1980- biological approach 20th century was a behaviourist approach Charles Darwin idea of natural selection was a biological approach |
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Introspection |
The examination of how mental process works and an attempt to study the mind by breaking up conscious awareness into thoughts, emotions and sensations Strengths Controlled Simple and easy Standardised instructions Weaknesses Couldn't be replicated Unreliable Subjective |
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Behaviourist approach |
We are born with a blank state so there is no genetic influence on behaviour Behaviour is learned from experience Only observable behaviour is measurable scientifically Thought processes are subjective and difficult to test Strengths Behaviourist use scientific methods to investigate human behaviour and there is credibility in their methods Ideas are widely used to help change behaviour which is seen to be negative and encourage positive behaviour Weaknesses Doesn't consider the influence of thought and cognitive processes as they aren't observable Any spontaneous behaviour in humans isn't easily explained by behaviourist principles of classical and operant conditioning |
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Classical conditioning (behaviourist approach) |
Unconditioned stimulus -≥ unconditioned response Neutral stimulus + conditioned stimulus -≥ unconditioned response Conditioned stimulus -≥ conditioned response E.g pavlovs dogs |
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Operant conditioning |
Operant= action Reward= a positive consequence of the action which acts as a reinforcer because it causes the action to be repeated Punishment- a negative consequence of an action Skinners rats Skinners box contained a lever, loud speakers and lights which acted as visual and auditory cues Floor was electrified so electric shocks could act as a punishment Actions to avoid shocks= negative reinforcement Pellet of food= positive reinforcement The rat learned that it would get a pellet by pushing the lever so it would keep doing it as it was positively reinforced. |
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Social learning theory |
Involves the role of cognitive factors and says that people learn through observation and imitation of others. Imitation is the copying of others behaviour if rewarded as they learn through observing consequence Vicarious reinforcement occurs through watching someone else's behaviour being reinforced Modelling is observing the behaviour of a role model Identification is when the observer associates themselves with a role model and wants to be like them Role of mediational processes Attention- extent to which we notice behaviours Retention- how well behaviour is remembered Motor reproduction- ability of the observer to remember the behaviour Motivation- will to perform behaviour |
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Bandura (social learning theory research) |
Aim: to find out if children learn aggressive behaviour through imitation Procedure: Showed children a video where adults behaved aggressively towards a bobo doll one group saw the adult being praised while the other group saw the adult being punished Findings: Group 1 showed more aggression than group 2 Conclusion: children learned through the models behaviour which led to high levels of aggression Evaluation High reliability No observer bias Lacks ecological validity |
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Evaluation of social learning theory |
Strengths Provides a more comprehensive explanation to human learning by recognising the role of mediational processes than the the behaviourist approach Is able to explain cultural differences Weaknesses It ignores biological factors such as testosterone which makes boys more aggressive |
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Cognitive approach |
Cognitive neuroscience is the scientific study of biological structures that under pin cognitive processes. Inference is where psychologists draw conclusions about the way mental processes operate based on behaviour observed Study internal mental processes through theoretical models Schemas are a mental framework of beliefs and expectations that influence cognitive processing they are developed from experience. Computer anaology is when psychologists use models to explain cognitive processes based on the idea the human mind can be compared to a computer Mental processes are private operations of the mind such as perception and attention that mediate between stimulus and response. |
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Evaluation of the cognitive approach |
Strengths The cognitive approach is dominant in psychology and has been applied to a wide range of practical contexts Has employed highly controlled and vigorous methods of study in order to enable researchers to infer cognitive processes are at work Weaknesses They are only able to infer mental processes from behaviour they observe usually in artificial environments so they lack external validity Computer analogy has been criticised as it ignores the influence of human motivation and emotion |
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Biological approach |
Biological structure is the arrangement of parts to form an organ, a system or living thing Neurochemistry is relating to chemicals in the Brian that regulate psychological functioning. Zygote - is a fertilised egg Genotype is a particular set if genes that a person possesses Phenotype is the characteristics of an individual determined by both genes and the environment Evolution is changes in inherited characteristics in a biological popualtion over successive generations Dizygotic are 2 zygotes which produce twins when 2 seperated eggs both become fertilised Monozygotic is one zygote which produces twins when a fertilised egg splits into 2 (identical twins) Genes make up chromosomes which consist of DNA which codes for physical and psychological features |
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Psychodynamic approach |
A perspective that describes the different forces most of which are unconscious mind and direct behaviour and experience |
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Unconscious |
That part of the mind that we are unaware of but which continues to direct much of our behaviour Contain threatening and disturbing memories that have been repressed, forgotten and lock away |
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I'd |
Unconscious Pleasure principle Selfish Instant gratification of its needs |
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Ego |
Balances conflicting demands of the I'd and superego Reality principle Defence mechanisms |
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Superego |
Phallic stage Morality principle Internalised sense of right and wrong Moral standards of same sex parent and punishes the ego for wrong doing |
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Psychosexual stages: oral 0-1 year |
Focus of pleasure is the mouth Oral fixation such as smoking and biting nails |
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Anal 1-3 years |
Focus of pleasure is the anus Obsessive and perfectionist Thoughtless and messy |
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Phallic 3-5 years |
Focus of pleasure is genital area Opedius or Electra complex Reckless |
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Genital teens |
Sexual desires become conscious alongside onset puberty Difficulty forming relationship |
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Defence mechanisms |
Unconscious strategies the ego uses to manage conflict between I'd and superego Repression, denial and displacement |
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Oedipus complex |
Little boys develop incestuously feelings for mother Hatred for father as they fear father will castrate them Boys repress feelings for mother and identify with father taking on gender role and moral values |
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Little Hans |
Phobia of horses Phobia formed due to displacement in which his repressed fear of his father was transferred onto horses Horses were merely a symbolic representation of unconscious fear |
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Humanistic approach |
Understanding behaviour that emphasises the importance of subjective experience and each person's capacity for self determination Free will Holism Unique |
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Self actualisation |
The desire to grow psychologically and fulfil ones full potential |
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Heirarchy of needs |
Basic needs such as hunger must be satisfied before higher psychological needs such as self actualisation |
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Self |
Ideas and values that characterise I |
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Congruence |
When self concept and self actualisation match |
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Conditions of worth |
When a parent places limits or boundaries in their love ones such as saying I will only love you if |
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Client centered therapy |
Aim is to increase the persons feelings of self worth and reduce level of incongruence between self concept and ideal self and help person become a more functioning person. |
