Studied by 0 people-Origins of Psychology -Social learning theory -Cognitive approach -Biological approach -Psychodynamic approach
Who is Wundt?
He created the first ever lab and took psychology away from philosophy. He documented human consciousness through introspection. Introspection is recording your own conscious thoughts. Breaking down consciousness us called structuralism. Some of his ideas are still used today such as controlled conditions, standardised instructions and replicability.
Evaluation of Wundt
-It cannot be seen: memories are unobservable, there is no physical evidence
-Lack reliability: Researchers found it hard to repeat the introspective experiments. His techniques were difficult to replicate.
-Not accurate: Nisbett and Wilson claim that we have very little knowledge of the causes and processes that underlie our attitudes and behaviour. challenging the basis of introspection.
Explain the emergence of Psychology as a Science
Watson questioned introspection as it focused on private mental processes which cannot be seen. Instead we should only observe what can be seen. Watson and Skinner brought language, vigor and methods from natural sciences. Introduced the first lab experiments. Cognitive revolution meant thoughts can be studied scientifically in lab. Biological approach uses lab experiments and scans.
What are the strengths of the scientific approach to Psychology?
+Establishes cause and effect: believes all behaviour has a determined cause. Only when we know the causes of a behaviour, can we successfully make a prediction. Wundt however, is not creating testable ideas and cannot establish a cause and effect.
+Allows a progress of our knowledge: scientific knowledge is self-correctivee. Psychology we can keep making progress.
What are the weaknesses of the Scientific approach?
-Lab experiment lacks validity: contrived situations that tell us little about how people act in natural situations. Undermines the accuracy.
-Shouldn’t use science to observe the human mind: much of the matter of psychology is unobservable. Cannot be measured with any degree of accuracy. Predictions become impossible and methods are inappropriate.
What are the assumptions of the social learning theory?
Behaviour is learned and not influenced by genes
Behaviour is learned through observation of others
Explain Badura: Indirect learning experiment
Imitation: Observes role models behaviour and copies it.
Identification: Influenced by someone as they are similar and / or with a higher status.
Modelling: When a role model demonstrates a behaviour.
Vicarious reinforcement: Watching someone else receive positive reinforcement or a punishment so the person is more/less likely to copy.
Explain the mediation process
Attention: extent to which we notice certain behaviours
Retention: How well we remember
Motor Reproduction: The ability of the observer to perform the behaviour
Motivation: The will to perform behaviour.
Explain Bandura: Bobo doll experiment
Adult modelled aggressive behaviour towards doll and children copied.
What are the Strengths of SLT?
+Comprehensive understanding of human behaviour: Comprehensive explanation of human learning by recognising not only classical and operant conditioning but also the mediating process.
+Practical application: Used in real life. Akers suggests the probability of someone engaging in criminal behaviour increases when they are exposed to models who commit this type of behaviour.
What are the weaknesses of SLT?
-Methodological issues: overly reliant on the experimental method and in particular lab experiments. Situation contrived and demand characteristics could occur.
-Underestimates the role of biology: SLT ignored biological factors. for example the boys could have been more aggressive due to testosterone.
What are the assumptions of the cognitive approach?
Mind is like a computer
Thoughts can and should be studied scientifically
What is a schema?
A package of ideas developed through experiences. Babies are born with basic schema such as sucking and grasping. As we get older they become more sophisticated. Act as a mental shortcut.
What are the theoretical methods?
As thoughts cannot be seen we use models to demonstrate how they work. Also allows us to isolate and test certain cognition eg. multi-store memory model.
What are the computer models?
Using the computer analogy and using computers to stimulate brain processes. Cognitive neuroscience. Using FMRI and PET scans to map localisation of different cognitive functions.
What are the strengths of the Cognitive approach?
+Real life application: used by psychopathology to show how negative thought patterns can influence dysfunctional behaviour. Led to many patients being treated successfully.
+Uses scientific and objective methods: uses lab experiments to produce reliable and objective data. Enabled two fields of biology and psychology come together. Established a credible scientific basis.
What are the weaknesses of the cognitive approach?
-Reductionist: The human mind has emotions and motivations that the computer does not. Too simplistic, we misunderstand the complexities of the human mind and other influences.
-Ignores emotion and motivation: Fails to tell us why. ignore the emotional side of a human being. Lack of focus on the human mind.
What are the assumptions of the biological approach?
Behaviour is the result of genetics and therefore is a product of evolution
The brain is the main system we look at to explain behaviour
Chemicals in the brain also influence behaviour
What is the influence of genes?
Genotype: the genetic makeup of an individual
Phenotype- Characteristics shown as a product of our genes and environment
Evolution: Human behaviour is adaptive. If behaviour encourages survival and mating then behaviour will be passed to next generation and vice versa
What are the biological structures?
Central nervous system: Brain and spinal cord
Peripheral nervous system: sends and receives information to the CNS. Also includes autonomic system (response to threat) and somatic system (muscle and skeleton)
Endocrine system: Maintain hormone levels through glands e.g pituitary
What is neurochemistry?
Neurotransmitters influence behaviour.
What are the strengths of the Biological approach?
+Uses scientific methods: FMRI scans, EEGs and twin studies. advances in technology, allows accurate measure biological and neural processes that are not biased.
+Real life application: Development of psychoactive drugs that treat serious mental disorders.
What are the weaknesses of the biological approach?
-Causal conclusions: Discovering an association doesn’t mean that you found the cause, cause of the issue not treated.
-Reductionist: Reductionism is the belief that you can explain human behaviour. it ignores emotions, environment, cognition and upbringing all impact our behaviour.
What are the assumptions of the psychodynamic approach?
Unconscious mind has important influence on behaviour. Iceberg analogy. Childhood experiences shape who we are as adults.
Explain the Tripartite theory of personality
ID- The unconscious, basic drives operating on pleasure principle
The ego- Mediates between ID and superego works on reality principle
The superego- Sense of right and wrong, guilt and based on morality principle
What are the psychosexual stages?
Oral (0-2): Mouth and feeding is pleasure
Anal (2-3): ego starts to develop, withholding and eliminating poo is a source of pleasure
Phallic (3-6): Genitals focus of pleasure, Oedipus and Electra theory happens here
Latent (6-12): Earlier stages and conflicts are repressed
Genital stage (12+): Puberty and beyond sexual desires become conscious
What are the defence mechanisms?
Repression: Forcing a memory out of your mind
Denial: Refusing to acknowledge reality
Displacement: Transferring feelings from one thing to another.
What are the strengths of the psychodynamic approach?
+Wider impact on psychology: Observations and case studies, first to research the benefits of psychology rather than biological treatments, many different successful treatments were developed.
+Supporting evidence: Fisher and Greenberg summarised over 2000 studies concluded that findings from these studies supported the findings from psychoanalysis.
What are the weaknesses of the Psychodynamic approach?
-Gender bias: Freud focus on male sexuality, ignored female sexuality, not applicable to females.
-Cultural bias: not applicable to people outside of western cultures. Sue and Sue claim that many cultures do not value insight and discussing traumatic issues therefore psychoanalysis treatment is not necessarily successful in non-western cultures.
-Methodological issues: difficult for Freud’s theories to stand up to scientific rigor and their findings are based on such small samples that generalisations should not be made.
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