A Level Psychology

The Psychodynamic Approach, The Behaviourist approach, Experiments and Variables

Who founded the Psychodynamic Approach?

Sigmund Freud

What are the 3 parts of the personality?

The id, Ego and Superego

What is the role of unconscious?

Stores thoughts, memories and desires that are not accessible to conscious awareness, but influence behaviours.

Give an example of a defense mechanism.

Repression - pushing distressing memories or thoughts into the unconscious.

What are the psychosexual stages of development?

Stages Freud proposed (Oral, anal, phallic, latency, genital) where conflicts e.g Oedipus Complex must be resolved for healthy personality development.

What research methods did Freud mainly use?

Case studies e.g Little Hans

What was a weakness of the Pyschodynamic approach?

Concepts are untestable and lack scientific credibility.

What is an IV?

The variable measured by the researcher to test it’s effects.

What is a DV?

The variable measured by the researcher to see the effect of the IV

What is an extraneous variable?

Any variable that you're not investigating that can potentially affect the dependent variable of your research study.

What is an operationalised variable?

A variable defined in measurable, specific terms so it can be tested.

The three main experimental designs?

Independent groups, repeated measures and matching pairs.

What is the difference between a lab and field experiment?

Lab experiments occur in a controlled environment whereas field experiments take place in a natural setting with less control.

What is the main assumption of the behaviourist approach?

Behaviour is learned through experience and can be measured scientifically.

What is classical conditioning?

Learning through association between a neutral stimulus and an unconditioned stimulus

Which researcher is linked to Classical Conditioning?

Ivan Pavlov (dog salivating to bell)

What is operational conditioning?

Learning through consequences such as reinforcement and punishment.

What is positive reinforcement?

Adding a pleasant stimulus to increase behaviour.

What is negative reinforcement?

Removing an unpleasant stimulus to increase behaviour.

One strength of the behaviourist Approach?

It uses scientific, controlled methods.