Psychology approaches key terms

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Behaviorism
The theory that human and animal behavior can be explained in terms of conditioning without considering thoughts or feelings.
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Biological approach
Views humans as biological organisms and so provide biological explanations for all aspects of psychological functioning.
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Classical conditioning
Learning through association when two stimuli are repeatedly paired together.
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Cognitive
Relates to mental processes such as perception,memory and reasoning.
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Cognitive neuroscience
An academic field that studies the influence of brain structures on mental processes using techniques such as brain scans.
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Computer models
Software simulations of internal mental processes
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Conditions of worth
Conditions imposed on an individual's behavior and development that are considered necessary to earn positive regard from significant others.
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Congruence
If there is a similarity between a person's ideal self and self-image, a state of congruence exists. A difference represents a state of in-congruence.
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Defense mechanisms
Unconscious strategies that protects our conscious mind from anxiety. Defense mechanisms involve a distortion of reality in same way, so that we are better able to cope with a situation.
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Determinism
Behavior is determined by external of internal factors acting upon the individual.
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Empirical
Based on scientific testing or personal experience rather than theory or logic.
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Evolution
Gradual changes in an inherited characteristic of a species over many generations.
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Free will
The ability to act at one's own discretion i.e to choose how to behave without being influenced by external forces.
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Gene
A part of the chromosome of an organism that carries information in the form of DNA.
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Genotype
A person's unique genetic make-up that is coded in their chromosomes and fixed at conception.
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Hierarchy of needs
The motivational theory proposed by Maslow, often displayed as a pyramid. The most basic needs are at the bottom and the higher needs at the top.
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Humanistic
Refers to the belief that human beings are born with the desire to grow, create and to love, and have the power to direct their own lives.
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Identification
Association with a role model's and adopting their behavior because you want to be like them.
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Imitation
Copying or reproducing behavior that has been learned through observation.
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Inference
Process of drawing conclusions about general patterns of behavior.
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Information processing model
The idea that information flows through the cognitive system in a sequence of stages.
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Internal mental processes
The operations both conscious and unconscious that occur during thinking.
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Introspection
Observing and examining your own conscious thoughts and emotions.
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Learning
A relatively lasting change in behavior that is the result of experience.
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Mediating cognitive factors/processes
Internal mental processes that lie between the stimulus and the response.
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Modelling
Imitating a role model or producing a specific behavior that may then be imitated by the observer.
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Natural selection
The way that any genetically determined behavior that enhances the ability to survive and reproduce will continue in future generations.
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Nature
Behavior is seen to be the product of innate factors.
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Negative reinforcement
Avoiding or removing something unpleasant when a behavior is performed that increases the chance that the behavior is repeated.
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Neurochemistry
The study of chemical and neutral processes associated with the nervous system.
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Nurture
Behavior is a product of environmental factors.
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Objective
Not influenced by private emotions,perceptions or biases.
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Operant conditioning
Learning through reinforcement where behavior is shaped and maintained by its consequences.
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Phenotype
The expression of a person's genetic make-up that can be influenced by the environment.
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Positive reinforcement
Receiving something pleasant when a behavior is performed this increases the chance that behavior is repeated.
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Psychoanalysis
A term used to describe the personality theory and therapy associated with Freud.
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Psychodynamic
Refers to any theory that emphasises change and development in the individual particularly those theories where "drive" is a central concept in development.
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Punishment
Receiving something unpleasant when a behavior is performed which decreases the chance the behavior is repeated.
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Reciprocal determinism
The way a person is influenced by their environment but also influences their environment.
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Reinforcement
A term used in psychology to refer to anything that strengthens a response and increases the likelihood that it will occur again in the future.
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Response
The reaction to a specific stimulus e.g salivating when you see food.
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Schemas
Mental frameworks of information that we use to organise past experience and to interpret and respond to new situations.
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Science
A systematic approach to creating knowledge.
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Scientific method
Refers to the use of investigative methods that are objective, systematic, replicable and the formulation , testing and modification of hypothesis based on these methods.
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Self
Our personal identity.
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Self-actualisation
A term used in different ways, Rogers used it as the drive to realise one's true potential.
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SLT
the view that people learn through observing others.
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Stimulus
Anything in the environment detectable by the senses.
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Structuralism
Using the experimental method to find the building blocks of thought.
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Subjective
Affected by personal feelings,prejudices and interpretations.
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Theoretical models
Diagrammatic representations of the steps involved in internal mental processes, e.g the information processing model.
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Twin study
Used to determine the likelihood that certain traits have a genetic basis by comparing concordance rates between pairs of twins.
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Unconscious
The part of the human mind that contains repressed ideas and memories, as well as primitive desires and impulses that have never been allowed to enter the unconscious mind.
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Vicarious
Observing someone else being reinforced for a behavior and the consequences of their actions.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

Views humans as biological organisms and so provide biological explanations for all aspects of psychological functioning.

Back

Biological approach

Card 3

Front

Learning through association when two stimuli are repeatedly paired together.

Back

Preview of the back of card 3

Card 4

Front

Relates to mental processes such as perception,memory and reasoning.

Back

Preview of the back of card 4

Card 5

Front

An academic field that studies the influence of brain structures on mental processes using techniques such as brain scans.

Back

Preview of the back of card 5
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