APPROACHES IN PSYCHOLOGY

Origins of Psychology
Wundt

- First psychologist - believed all nature (brain) could be studied scientifically.
- Paved way for acceptance of psychology as a science
- Wanted to study human minds - structuralism = breaking down conscious experiences
- Technique = introspection

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Introspection

- looking into
- gains knowledge of own mental and emotional state - observing inner world and conscious thoughts
- Shown a stimulus and asked to reflect - gain insight on inner self

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A03 OF ORIGINS OF PSYCHOLOGY

- Still useful today - measuring 'happiness', write down thoughts when hearing sound of beep
- not accurate - Wilson - people unaware of factors that influenced choice of consumer item - out of conscious
- Limitation - rely on own reports
lacks reliabil

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Emergence of Psychology as a Science - Empiricism

- All knowledge is derived from sensory experience - use of the scientific method in psychology.
1. All assumption is seen as being caused (the assumption of determinism)
2. if behavior is determined, then it should be possible to predict

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Scientific method

- Use of investigative methods that are objective, systematic and replicable
- Objective because researchers do not let preconceived ideas or biases influence the collection.
Systematic because carried out in an orderly way
-Replicable because can be re

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A03 Emergence of Psychology as a science

Strength - relies on objective and systematic methods - cause and effect can be established and self corrected
Limitation - unobservable and cannot be measured
Lacks ecological validity - contrived situations tell little about real life behavior - valid

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Behaviorist approach
Assumptions

-Psychology is a Science - cause and effect.
-All behavior is learnt from the environment through classical or operant conditioning.
- When born our mind is a blank slate (tabula rasa)
-Research can be carried out on animals because there is little diffe

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Behaviorist approach
Classical conditioning

- learning by association
- UCS = UCR
- NS + UCS = UCR
- CS = CR
- Pavlolvs dogs ringing bells before food = after a while bells means food to them.

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Classical conditioning
A03

• Strength—classical conditioning has led to the development of treatment methods with
various phobias—Systematic desensitization.
• Scientific credibility - Theories are testable and supported by research – Uses the experimental method establish cause

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Behaviorist approach
Operant conditioning

- Learning by consequence via reinforcements
- Reinforcement - strengthens a behavior
- Positive reinforcement - satisfying or pleasant consequence
- Negative reinforcement - remove unpleasant
Punishment - consequence that is undesirable
-SKINNERS RATS

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Operant conditioning
A03

- Strength—Skinner relied on the experimental method which uses controlled conditions to discover a causal relationship between two variables.
- Limitation—Skinner’s research involved non-human animals - humans have free will. However, Skinner argued fre

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Social learning theory
Assumptions

-Behavior is learned indirectly from experience- observation and imitation
-There are mental processes between the stimulus and response
-It is concerned with human behavior

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Social learning theory A01

-Indirectly through observation and imitation
- Imitate only if seen being reinforced - vicarious reinforcement
- More likely repeat if identify with the model - modelling/identification
- Mediational processes - intervene learning - attention (watching

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Social learning theory
KEY STUDY
Bandura

-Bandura - social behaviors acquired by observation and imitation
- 36 girls + boys with a mean age of 52 months
- 24 children- aggressively towards a Bobo doll.
- 24 children were exposed to a non-aggressive model and a control group
- Children exposed

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Social learning theory A03

- Applied to understand criminal behavior- if exposed to people in crime increases chances
- Health campaigns - perceived similarity to anti alcohol model = helped effectiveness
-Problem of complexity—it is hard to say one thing influences behavior - ge

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Assumptions of the Cognitive Approach

- Thought processes can be and should be studied scientifically
- The mind works like a computer in that it has input from our senses, it is processed and produces an output e.g. behaviour
- Thought processes occur between a stimulus and a response

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Cognitive approach A01

- Make inferences about minds from behavior
- Theoretical models: simplified representations, illustrating mental process
- Mind like a computer - input from our senses, it is processed and produces an output
-Schemas= cognitive framework that helps orga

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Cognitive Approach A03

- Uses scientific methods - based on more than common sense - conclusions may be a more valid representation of human behavior.
- Machine reductionist - reductionism - ignores emotion and social factors
- Lab studies - not reflect everyday life
- Applica

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Biological Approach
Assumptions A01

-Genes an individual possesses influences behavior
-The central nervous system (CNS) which comprises of the brain and the spinal cord is the main focus when explaining behaviour
-Neurotransmitters and hormones influence reactions to the environment

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Biological Approach
Genes A01

-Heredity: the passing of characteristics form one generation to the next via genes
-Genes carry the instructions for a particular characteristic
-Genotype = genetic make-up of an individual
-Phenotype = observable traits that results from this inherited

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Biological Approach
Biological structures A01

- Nervous system - carries messages from one apart of the body to another using neurons.
- Many aspects of behavior are controlled by neurons, including: breathing, eating and sexual behavior
- The brain -Cerebral cortex = responsible for many ‘higher-ord

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Biological Approach
Neurochemistry A01

- Neurotransmitters - electrochemical impulses that transmit messages from one neuron to the next
-Excitatory neurotransmitters = stimulate brain
-Inhibitory neurotransmitters = calm the brain
-Dopamine = excitatory/ Serotonin = inhibitory
-Hormones – c

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Biological Approach
A03

- Scientific method – use of experimental methods such as PETs = easy to replicate
- Useful applications – neurochemical imbalances in depression = SSRIs improved lives
- Implications - Genetic basis for criminal behavior- It may lead to discrimination

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Evolutionary Approach

• Evolution – refers to the change over generations of the genetic make-up
• Natural selection - The process by which inherited characteristics that enhance an individual's reproductive success are passed on to the next generation - widespread .
• Enviro

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Psychodynamic Approach
Assumptions
A01

-Driving force behind our behavior is the unconscious mind
-It is instincts or drives that motivate our behavior (driven by instinct)
-Early child experiences is believed to be pivotal in making us the person we are

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Psychodynamic Approach
Freud’s view of the mind and personality
A01

Conscious: The part of the mind we are aware of – everyday thoughts and feelings
Unconscious: The deep dark shameful part! Repressed thoughts, memories and feelings

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Psychodynamic Approach
Structure of Personality
A01

- ID - Pleasure principle - Demands immediate gratification regardless of circumstances.
- EGO - Reality principle -Mediates between the demands of the ID demands of the superego.
- SUPEREGO - Morality principle -Our conscience, it includes our understan

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Psychodynamic Approach
Defense Mechanisms
A01

- Repression -Unconscious blocking of unacceptable thoughts and impulses. They influence behavior without the person knowing
- Denial - Is the refusal to accept reality so as to avoid having to deal with any painful feelings that might be associated with

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Psychodynamic Approach
Psychosexual stages
A01

-All babies are born bubbling with energy – the libido (psychic energy – sexual desires or instincts), different areas at different times
-Personality is shaped throughout childhood during the psychosexual stages
-must get gratification to be able to move

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Psychodynamic Approach
Psychosexual stages
A03

- Supporting research - Fisher support the existence of the unconscious + defense mechanisms.
-Abstract concepts - whatever is forgotten is can be said to be repressed - cannot test
- Gender biased – Freud was ignorant of female sexuality, didn't take i

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Humanistic Approach
Assumptions
A01

-Every individual is unique – do not generalize (idiographic)
-We have free will - The ability to act at one’s own discretion (choose how to behave without being influenced by external forces).
-People should be viewed holistically (considering all aspec

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Humanistic Approach
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
A01

-We all have an innate drive to achieve.
-The most basic needs are represented at the bottom, and the most advanced needs at the top.
-Each level must be fulfilled before a person can move up to a higher need.
-Maslow believed that the more basic the

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Humanistic Approach
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
A01

Self actualization - achieving full potential
(ultimate feeling of wellbeing and satisfaction)
Esteem needs - prestige and accomplishment
Belongingness and love needs - intimate relationships and friends
Safety needs - security and safety
Physiological n

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Humanistic Approach
Rogers
A01

- Rogers two needs positive regard from others and a feeling of self-worth.
-If there is a similarity between a person’s ideal self and self-image = congruence/difference = incongruence.
- Rogers - parents should show unconditional positive regard to kid

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Humanistic Approach
Support
A03

- Supporting research - for conditions of worth. Harter et al. discovered teenagers who feel they have to fulfil certain conditions to gain approval usually ended up not liking themselves
- Maslow’s hierarchy is linked to economic development. Hagerty- f

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Humanistic Approach
Limitations
A03

-This theory is difficult to evaluate scientifically
=fails to establish a causal relationship between variables. Most would argue that without experimental methods it is hard to evaluate
- Cultural differences in the hierarchy of needs. China sees ‘bel

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APPROACHES IN PSYCHOLOGY

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