Approaches

• Introspection


  First attempt to examine one's own thought processes
• Standardised instructions

  The instructions given to each participant are kept identical - to help prevent experimenter bias.
• When was Wundt's lab established?

  1879
• Genotype

  An organism's genetic makeup, or allele combinations.
• Phenotype


  The set of observable characteristics of an individual resulting from the interaction of its genotype with the environment.
• Concordance rates - MZ

  100%
• Concordance rates - DZ

  50%
• Genetic Tests

  reveals an individuals genotype, but will only show whether a person has predispositions to developing a specific conditions
• Evolution


  Genes have adapted to become useful to our survival and are passed onto offspring
• Nervous System


  System of nerves which allows you to register touch, move, breathe, feel and think. Made up of neurons
• Central Nervous System (CNS)


  consists of the brain and spinal cord
• Neurochemistry

  Relating to chemicals in the brain that regulate psychological functioning
• Neurotransmitters

  Chemical messengers, across the synapse, bind with receptors
• BA: Practical Applications (Strength)

  Real-life applications to support the approach. This means that there is evidence for the biological basis of some disorders.
• BA: Correlational Data (Weakness)

  Correlation between neurotransmitter levels and mental disorders. This means it is only a relationship. Cannot be concluded that neurotransmitter levels cause the behaviour.
• BA: Contradictory Evidence (Weakness)

  Concordance rates in twin studies are never 100%. This suggests that behaviour is not purely genetic. Approach fails to recognise the role of the environment on behaviour.
• BA: Deterministic View (Weakness)

  Suggests no conscious control over human behaviour. This means that individuals do not have free will over their behaviour.
• Classical Conditioning (Pavlov)


  learning occurs through the pairing of a neutral stimulus and an unconditioned response that produces an automatic response.
• Operant Conditioning (Skinner)


  assumes that behaviour is based on learning through consequence.
• variable-ratio schedule

  In operant conditioning, a reinforcement schedule that reinforces a response after an unpredictable number of responses
• BEA: Scientific Methods (Strength)

  Focuses on observable behaviour within controlled settings. This means it was an influential approach in the development of psychology as a science.
• BEA: Real-life Applications (Strength)

  Principles of conditioning have been applied to real-world behaviours. This means the approach has led to therapies to treat disorders.
• BEA: Use of Animal Research (Weakness)

  Lack of validity due to differences in physiology/brain structure. This means findings may not generalise to humans as thought processes are underestimated
• BEA: Lack of Biology (Weakness)

  Emphasis is on environmental factors affecting behaviour. This means it is not a complete approach
• BEA: Deterministic Approach (Weakness)

  Emphasis on environmental factors affecting behaviour. This means the approach views free will as an 'illusion'. Suggests no conscious control over behaviour.
• Social Learning Theory

  Bandura believed people learnt behaviour in a social context through observation of other people and the reinforcement or punishment they receive.
• Identification


  Observer associates themselves with a role model because they idolises them and their behaviour
• Modelling

  the process of observing and imitating a specific behaviour
• Vicarious Reinforcement


  Imitation is more likely to occur if the model is positively reinforced for their behaviour
• SLT: Supporting Evidence (Strength)

  Supporting evidence from controlled research that demonstrates social learning occuring
• SLT: Focus on Cognitive Processes (Strength)

  Emphasises role of mediational processes. This means the approach suggests people have more free will over their behaviour.
• SLT: Cultural Differences Accounted For (Strength)

  Explains differences observed across different cultures. This adds credibility to the theory as an explanation of human behaviour.
• SLT: Unrealistic Evidence (Weakness)


  Lacks ecological validity due to the controlled environment. This limits the conclusions that can be drawn about social learning in the real-world
• SLT: Biological Roles Ignored (Weakness)

  Emphasises environmental impact. Doesn't account for biological factors eg. gender difference. This means it is not a complete explanation for behaviour.
• Internal Mental Processes

  'Private' operations of the mind such as perception and attention that mediate between stimulus and response.
• Inferences

  A conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning
• Schema


  a concept or framework that organises and interprets information quickly
• Schemas are unchanging mental frameworks

  Expectations and beliefs that have developed through experience and will influence cognitive processing.
• Theoretical Models

  In cognitive psychology, models are simplified, usually pictorial, representations of a particular mental process based on current research evidence.
• Information Processing Model

  model of memory that assumes the processing of information for memory storage is similar to the way a computer processes memory in a series of three stages