assumptions
APPROACHES TO BEHAVIORAL STUDY
1. Social Approach
Key Studies:
Piliavin et al. (subway Samaritans): Studies helping behavior in emergency situations on a New York subway.
Milgram (Obedience): Explores the extent of obedience to authority figures, even under distressing conditions.
Perry et al. (personal space): Examines how personal space preferences change with social context and empathy.
Questions to Expect About Social Approach:
What is meant by the social approach? (2 marks)
Explain why [study name] is part of the social approach. (2 marks)
a) Outline two assumptions of the social approach. (4 marks)
b) Describe one result that supports either of the assumptions mentioned above using the study by [study name] as an example. (2 marks)
Answers: Social Approach
The social approach investigates how behaviors and emotions are influenced by individuals, groups, and social contexts. An individual's behavior and thought processes can be shaped by their circumstances and social affiliations.
Piliavin: This study is related to the social approach as it investigates how group dynamics affect helping behavior during emergencies, with participants influenced by the actions of other subway passengers.
Milgram: This study is rooted in the social approach because it highlights the influence of authority figures on obedience, showcasing how participants complied with commands despite personal stress.
Perry: This research explores personal space and how it is influenced by social conditions; individuals may have closer proximity preferences with friends compared to strangers, indicating social impact on personal space.a) Two Assumptions:
i. Behavior, cognition, and emotions can be influenced by the actual, implied, or imagined presence of others.
ii. Behavior, cognition, and emotions can be influenced by groups or social contexts.
b) Supporting Results:
Piliavin: 62 out of 65 trials showed spontaneous helping for an ill victim, compared to only 19 out of 38 trials for a drunk victim, suggesting situational factors influenced helping behavior.
Milgram: All participants administered shocks up to 300V, indicating obedience was influenced by the authority figure’s presence.
Perry: High empathizers preferred personal distances of 39% with a stranger and 8.5% with a friend, indicating familiarity influences personal space preferences.
2. Learning Approach
Key Studies:
Bandura et al. (aggression): Examines the learning of aggressive behavior through observation and imitation of adult models.
Saavedra and Silverman (button phobia): Investigates how phobias may develop through classical conditioning.
Fagen et al. (elephant learning): Studies operant conditioning in elephant behavior regarding behaviors that are rewarded.
Questions to Expect About Learning Approach:
What is meant by the learning approach? (2 marks)
Explain why [study name] is part of the learning approach. (2 marks)
a) Outline two assumptions of the learning approach. (4 marks)
b) Describe one result that supports either of the assumptions mentioned above using the study by [study name] as an example. (2 marks)
Answers: Learning Approach
The learning approach posits that behaviors are acquired through conditioning (classical and operant) or through imitation and observation of models (social learning theory) rather than being innate or genetically determined.
Bandura: This study highlights social learning theory by showing how children imitate aggression from adult models.
Saavedra and Silverman: Investigates how phobias are learned through experiences rather than being innate, demonstrating a learning perspective.
Fagen: Demonstrates that elephants learn specific behaviors (like trunk washing) through positive reinforcement, a key concept of operant conditioning.a) Two Assumptions:
i. Individuals begin as a blank slate and behavior is shaped through environmental interactions.
ii. Learning processes such as social learning, operant conditioning, and classical conditioning explain behavior changes via stimulus-response mechanisms.
b) Supporting Results:
Bandura: Children who observed aggressive behavior exhibited higher instances of both physical and verbal aggression, indicating learned behavior through imitation.
Saavedra and Silverman: The child's phobia developed after a traumatic event involving buttons, illustrating classical conditioning.
Fagen: Elephants learned trunk washing through secondary positive reinforcement, supporting operant conditioning mechanisms.
3. Cognitive Approach
Key Studies:
Andrade (doodling): Studies how doodling affects concentration and memory during tasks.
Baron Cohen (eyes test): Tests theory of mind in individuals with autism spectrum disorders and their ability to interpret emotions.
Pozzulo et al. (line-ups): Compares memory and identification abilities in children versus adults in recognizing faces from line-ups.
Questions to Expect About Cognitive Approach:
What is meant by the cognitive approach? (2 marks)
Explain why [study name] is part of the cognitive approach. (2 marks)
a) Outline two assumptions of the cognitive approach. (4 marks)
b) Describe one result that supports either of the assumptions mentioned above using the study by [study name] as an example. (2 marks)
Answers: Cognitive Approach
The cognitive approach likens the mind to a computer, where input is received, processed, and results in output, focusing on how memory, intelligence, language, and attention influence behavior and emotions.
Baron Cohen: The study evaluates the cognitive ability to understand others' emotions (theory of mind) in individuals with autism.
Andrade: This study looks at doodling's impact on memory and concentration, examining cognitive processes in a context of boredom.
Pozzulo: Evaluates the differences in memory capabilities between children and adults in facial recognition tasks, based on cognitive processing differences.a) Two Assumptions:
i. Similarities exist between human cognitive processes and computer information processing (input – process – output).
ii. Variations in cognitive abilities (attention, language, thinking, memory) can explain individual differences in behavior and emotion.
b) Supporting Results:
Baron Cohen: AS/HFA participants scored a mean of 21/36 in the eyes test, indicating difficulty judging emotions, thereby illustrating cognitive limitations.
Andrade: Doodling participants scored better in monitoring and recall tasks than those who did not doodle, highlighting improved cognitive retention through doodling.
Pozzulo: Adults showed better target identifications than children, supporting cognitive processing capabilities relating to face recognition.
4. Biological Approach
Key Studies:
Holzel et al. (mindfulness and brain scans): Investigates how mindfulness practices can alter brain structure and function.
Dement and Kleitman (sleep and dreams): Studies brain activity measurements using EEGs to explore REM sleep patterns and dreaming.
Hassett et al. (monkey toy preferences): Investigates innate toy preferences in monkeys as influenced by biological factors.
Questions to Expect About Biological Approach:
What is meant by the biological approach? (2 marks)
Explain why [study name] is part of the biological approach. (2 marks)
a) Outline two assumptions of the biological approach. (4 marks)
b) Describe one result that supports either of the assumptions mentioned above using the study by [study name] as an example. (2 marks)
Answers: Biological Approach
The biological approach examines the influence of brain activity, hormones, genetics, and evolutionary factors on behavior and emotions. It commonly employs tools such as fMRIs and EEGs to measure brain activity and provide insights.
Hassett: This study investigates the role of innate preferences, suggesting biological determinism in toy preferences based on hormones.
Dement and Kleitman: Explores brain stages during sleep using EEGs to analyze sleep and dreams biologically.
Holzel: Examines how mindfulness meditation correlates with structural brain changes, linking behavior to biological processes.a) Two Assumptions:
i. Behaviors, emotions, and cognitions can be explained via brain function's workings and hormones, genetics, and evolutionary factors.
ii. Individual differences in behavior can be interpreted through biological influences.
b) Supporting Results:
Hassett: Male monkeys engaged more with wheeled toys, showing frequency (9.77) and duration (4.76) interactions compared to plush toys, suggesting biological influences on preferences.
Dement and Kleitman: Revealed that 152 dreams from REM were recalled versus 11 from nREM, indicating effective brain activity during different sleep stages.
Holzel: Participants practicing mindfulness exhibited increased gray matter, with significant differences in FFMQ aspects, reinforcing the connection between behavior and biological changes through mindfulness.