Approaches in Psychology

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What is introspection?
The first systematic experimental attempt to study the mind. Wundt and his co-workers recorded their conscious thoughts, with the aim to break them down into constituent parts. This is known as structuralism.
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Why was Wundt's work significant in marking the separation of modern scientific psychology from its broader philosophical roots?
All introspection were recorded under strictly controlled conditions using the same stimulus every time. The same standardised instructions were issued to all participants, and this allowed the results to be replicated.
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Why did Watson question Wundt's introspection?
It produced data that was subjective, in that it varied greatly from person to person, so it became very difficult to establish general principles. He was also critical of the focus on 'private' mental processes.
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What is the behaviorist approach?
A way of explaining behaviour in terms of what is observable and in terms of learning.
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Define classical conditioning with a study.
Learning by association, first demonstarted by Pavlov from an experiment with dogs. They can be conditioned to salivate (CR) to the sound of a bell (NS) if the sound was present when they were given food. They learnt to associate the bell with food.
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Define Operant conditioning with a study.
Learning in which behaviour is shaped and maintained by its consiquences eg: positive/negative reinforcement and punishment. Skinner did a study on rats (Skinners box) using positive reinforcement (food pellets).
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What are the advantages of the behaviorist approach?
It has scientific credibility as it behaviour is observed within highly controlled lab settings. This means it can easily be replicated and therefore gives it greater credibility. It also has real-life application as it can be used to treat phobias.
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What are the limitations of the behaviourist approach?
It has a mechanistic view on behaviour as humans/animals are seen as passive and machine-like responders. Also many people have questioned the ethics behind the Skinner box.
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What is social learning theory?
A way of explaining behaviour that includes both direct and indirect reinforcement. combining learning theory with the role of cognitive factors. Learning through imitation of others within a social context.
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What is vicarious reinforcement?
Imitation normally only occurs if the behaviour is seen to be rewarded than punished.
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What are the 4 mental or meditational processes in learning identified by Bandura?
Attention - the extent to which we notice certain behaviours. Retention - how well the behaviour is remembered. Motor reproduction - the ability for the observer to perfrom the behaviour. Motivation - the will to perfom the behavior.
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Explain Bandura et al. bobo doll experiment and findings.
Recorded the behaviour of young children who watched an adult behave and aggressive way towards a bobo doll. They found these kids behaved more aggressive towards toys than those who observed a non-aggressive adult.
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What is an advantages of SLT?
The importance of cognitive factors in learning. SLT provides a more comprehensive explanation of human learning by recognising the role of mediational processes.
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What are the limitations of SLT?
Over-reliance on evidence from lab studies - conytived nature. Participants could respond to demand characteristics. It underestimates the influence of biological factors. In bobo doll experiemnt boys more aggressive than girls - due to testosterone?
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What is the cognitive approach?
'Cognitive@ has come to mean mental processes, so the approach focuses on how our mental processes (e.g. thoughts, perceptions, attention) affect behaviour.
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Define the theoretical and the computer models.
Theoretical - the information processing approach which suggests info flows through the cognitive system in a sequence of stages (input, storage and retrival). Computer - use concepts of central processing unit (the brain),coding and stores.
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Define schema.
A mental framework of beliefs and expectations that influence cognitive processing. They are developed from experience. It enabled us to process lots of info quickly and this is useful as a sort of mental short-cut.
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What is cognitive neuroscience?
The scientific study of biological structures that underpin cognitive processes.
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What is the advantages of the cognitive approach?
It has always employed highly controlled snd rigorous methods of study, including lab studies. Therefore, the study has established a credible scientific basis.
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What are the limitations of the cognitive approach?
The computer analogy has been criticised as such human reductionism ignores the influence of human emotion and motivation. Also, it has been criticised for being too abstract as researchers are only able to infer. They also use artificial stimuli.
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What is the biological approach?
A perspective that emphasises the importance of physical processes in the body such as genetic inheritance and neural function.
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Define genotype and phenotype.
Genotype - the particular set of genes that a person possesses. Phenotype - the characteristics of an individual determined by both genes and the environment.
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What is the thoery of natural selection?
A theory by Darwin. The main principle is that any genetically determined behaviour that enhances and individual's survival will continue in future generations i.e naturally selected.
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What are the advantages of the biological approach?
It is based on reliable data as the approach makes use of precise and highly scientific methods e.g. fMRIs, and EEgs, family and twin studies. It also has real-life application as it has led to development of psychoactive drugs that treat depression.
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What is the limitation of the biological approach?
It offers an explanation for mental illness in terms of neurotransmitters. This comes from the fact that a particular drug reduces the symptons. This claims to have discovered causes where only an association exists.
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What is the nervous system and its 2 main functions?
A specialised network of cells in the human body and is our primary internal communication system. Its functions: 1) to collect, process and respond to info in the envirnoment. 2) to co-ordinate the working of different organs and cells in the body.
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What is the central nervous system?
The CNS is made up of the brain and the spinal cord and is the origin of all complex commands and decisions.
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What is the peripheral nervous system and its 2 sub-divisions?
The PNS transmits messages, via millions of neurons, to and from the CNS. It is sub-divided into the Autonomic NS - governs the vital functions int the body such as breathing, heart rate, etc.- and somatic NS - controls muscle movement.
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What is the endocrine system?
One of the body's major info systems that instructs glands to release hormones directly into the bloodstream. These hormones are carried towards target organs in the body.
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What is the fight or flight responce?
The way an animal responds when stressed. The body becomes physiologically aroused in readiness to fight an aggressor or, in some cases, flee.
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What are the 3 types of neuron and what do they do?
motor neuron (connect CNS to effectors i.e. muscles and glands), sensory neuron (carry messages from PNS to CNS) and relay neuron (connect sensory neuron to the motor or other relay neurons).
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What is the basic structure of a neuron?
The cell body (soma) includes a nucleus with genetic material. Dendrites protrude from the cell body - carry nerve impulses towards the cell body. The axon carries impulses away from the cell body and is covered by myelin sheath that protects it.
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What is a synaptic transmission?
The process by which neighbouring neurons send chemical messages across the gap (synapse) that separates them. When an electrical impulse reaches the presynaptic terminal it triggers the release of neurotransmitter from synaptic vesicles.
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What is a neurotransmitter?
Brain chemicals released from the synaptic vesicles that relay signals across neurons. They can be divided into those that perform an excitatory function and those that perform an an inhibitory function
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Define excitatory and inhibitory.
Excitation - neurotransmitter, such as adrenaline, increases positive charge of postsynaptic neuron - increases chance impulse will be passed on. Inbibition, increases negative charge, such as seratonin - decreases chance of being passed on.
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Why was Wundt's work significant in marking the separation of modern scientific psychology from its broader philosophical roots?

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All introspection were recorded under strictly controlled conditions using the same stimulus every time. The same standardised instructions were issued to all participants, and this allowed the results to be replicated.

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Why did Watson question Wundt's introspection?

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What is the behaviorist approach?

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Define classical conditioning with a study.

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