Approaches

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  • Approaches
    • The Cognitive approach
      • Assumptions: argues that internal mental processes can be studied scientifically - investigates areas of human behaviour neglected by behaviourists and study them indirectly
        • Theoretical and computer models: eg information processing approach (suggests info flows through is sequence of stages)
          • computer models (mind compared to computer - similarities in ways info is processed
          • models use concepts of central processing unit - models proved useful in development of artificial intelligence
      • Schema : cognitive processing affected by persons beliefs or expectations - schema are packages of ideas and info developed through experience - help us respond to things + enables us to process a lot of info quickly
        • Emergence of cognitive neuroscience: scientific study of influence of brain structure on mental processes
          • mapping area of brain specific functions has long history
          • 1860s Broca identified how damage to frontal lobe could permanently impair speech production
      • 1. scientific and objective methods
        • highly controlled and vigorous methods - lab experiments - credible scientific basis
        • 2. machine reductionism
          • machine reductionism ignores influence of emotion and how it affects ability to process info
          • 3. real-life application: probably most dominant approach - applied to a wide range of practical and theoreticalk contexts
            • Important contribution to artificial intelligence
    • The Behaviourist approach
      • Assumptions
        • Not concerned with investigating mental processes
        • Early behaviourist's rejected introspection - concepts difficult to measure
        • Relied on lab experiments and suggests basic processes that govern learning are same in all species
        • 2 forms : classical and operant conditioning
        • only interested in studying behaviour that can be observed and measured
      • Classical Conditioning : learning through association - Pavlovs dog's
        • Features: extinction (behaviour dies out) - generalisation (respond in same way) - discrimination (only responding to stimulus present) - spontaneous recovery (extinguishing a CR it reappears)
      • Operant Conditioning : Skinner - learning is an active process where humans/animals operate in environment
        • 3 types: positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement and punishment (positive and negative reinforcement increase likelihood behaviour will be repeated
      • 1. scientific credibility
        • 2. ethical issues in animal research
          • exposed to stressful conditions which may have affected how they reacted
          • 3. real-life application
            • principles applied to a wide range of real world behaviours and problems eg token economy systems - require less effort from participants
        • - brings the language and methods of natural science into psych - scientific discipline
    • The Social learning theory
      • Assumptions
        • Bandura agreed with behaviourists that behaviourists that most behaviour is learned from experience
        • learning through observation and imitation of behaviour
        • occurs directly through classical and operant conditioning but also indirectly
      • Vicarious learning
        • individual has to observe behaviour of others and observe consequences of behaviour
      • Role of mediational processes
        • SLT often described as bridge between behaviourism and cognitive
        • focuses on how mental factors are involved in learning
        • factors intervene in 4 mediational processes: 1. attention 2. attention 3. motor reproduction (ability of observer to perform behaviour) 4. motivation (rewarded/punished)
          • focuses on how mental factors are involved in learning
      • identification
        • people (especially children) more likely to imitate role models - modelling
      • 1. The importance of cognitive factors in learning
        • classical / operant cant offer account of learning on their own - SLT provides more comprehensive explanation by recognising role of mediational processes
        • 2. over reliance from lab studies
          • demand characteristics eg bobo doll tells us little about agression in real life
          • 3. underestimates influence of biological factors
            • eg, hormones not accounted for
    • The biological approach
      • Assumptions
        • everything psychological is at first biological
        • in contrast to cognitive
        • must look at biological structures to understand human behaviour
      • Genetic basis of behaviour
        • study whether behavioural characteristics are inherited in same way as physical characteristics
        • twin studies used to determine traits with genetic basis by comparing concordance rates
        • higher concordance rates than non identical twins for musical ability / schizophrenia etc - must have genetic basis
      • Genotype and phenotype
        • genotype - actual genetic makeup
        • Phenotype - the way genes are expressed through physical and psychological characteristics
          • expression influenced by environmental factors
      • Evolution and behaviour
        • fact - Charles Darwin - theory of natural selection (genetically determind behaviour that enhances survival with continue to further generations
      • 1. scientific methods of investigation
        • makes use of range of precise and highly specific methods - eg drug trials - not open to bias
        • 2. real-life application
          • development of psychoactive drugs - improves sufferers lives
          • 3. Casual conclusions
            • offers explanation for mental illness in terms of action of neurotransmitters
              • eg. particular drug reduces symptoms of mental disorder
                • discovering an association does not mean one causes the other

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