Assumptions of approaches in psychology

What is an assumption of the behaviourist approach to do with how humans are born? (2)

Humans are born ‘tabula rasa’, blank slate

What is an assumption of the behaviourist approach to do with how human behaviour is learnt? (2)

Human behaviour is learnt through experience, like classical conditioning and operant conditioning

What is an assumption the behaviourist approach related to what behaviour can be studied scientifically?

only observable behaviour can be studied scientifically

What is an assumption of the behaviourist approach related to studying animals? (2)

It is valid to study animals as they share the same principles of learning, therefore conclusions can be extrapolated to humans

What is an assumption of social learning theory related to how behaviour is learned? (4)

Behaviour is learned from the environment through observing role models, such as parents, characters in children’s TV, friends

What is an assumption of social learning theory related to what models provide? (2)

models provide examples of behaviour to observe and imitate, such as masculine and feminine

What is an assumption of social learning theory related to when children pay attention to models? (3)

When children pay attention to these models they encode their behaviour, this is more likely if the child perceives the model as similar to themself as they identify with them, at a later time the child may imitate the behaviour they observed

What is an assumption of social learning theory related to direct reinforcement? (2)

If a child imitates a model’s behaviour and the consequences are rewarding where they receive direct reinforcement, the child is likely to continue performing the behaviour

What is an assumption of the cognitive approach related to how behaviour can be explained?

behaviour can largely be explained through internal mental processes

What is an assumption of the cognitive approach related to what occurs between stimulus and response?

mediational processes occur between stimulus and response

What is an assumption of the cognitive approach related to inferences? (2)

It is is appropriate to make inferences about cognitive processes, when studied use lab experiments to be scientific

What is an assumption of the cognitive approach related to information processing? (3)

The information processing approach suggests the mind works in a way similar to a computer, inputting, storing and retrieving data, so theoretical and computer models are used as models of explanation

What is an assumption of the biological approach related to how humans are viewed? (2)

Humans are viewed as biological beings, it is expected that behaviour can/will/should be explained using references to Biology

What is an assumption of the biological approach related to how humans genes? (2)

Human genes have evolved over millions of years to adapt behaviour to the environment, most behaviour will have an adaptive/evolutionary purpose

What is an assumption of the biological approach related to how behaviour and processes can be explained?

Behaviour and processes can be explained by the structure and function of the human nervous system, particularly the brain, for example localisation of function and subsequent behaviours