psychology - approaches (AO1 + AO3)

• Who suggested the concept of dualism in the 17th century?

  Descartes
• What does Descartes' dualism suggest about the mind and body?

  It suggests that the mind and body interact in different ways to produce different behaviors and thoughts.
• What is the definition of psychology according to the IB?

  Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes and how these are affected by internal and external factors.

  
• How is science defined in the study material?

  Science is the pursuit and application of knowledge and understanding of the natural and social world, following a systematic methodology based on evidence.

  
• What are the features of science?

  • A universal paradigm
  • Theory construction
  • Hypothesis testing
  • Deduction
  • Falsification
  • Replicability
  • Objectivity
  • Empirical method
• When did Wundt set up his first laboratory?

  In 1879
• What is introspection?

  Introspection is a means of learning about one’s own currently ongoing mental states or processes.
• What are the three conditions of introspection?

  The mentality condition, the first-person condition, and the temporal proximity condition.
• What process did Wundt use to isolate conscious thoughts?

  Structuralism
• How did Wundt ensure the reliability of his data recording?

  By using the same stimulus each time, allowing for replication under standardized conditions.
• What was Skinner's view on introspection?

  Skinner disagreed with the subjective nature of introspection, as findings differed greatly among individuals.
• What is radical behaviorism?

  Radical behaviorism is the idea that private events can be measured and quantified in the same way as observable behavior.
• What method did Skinner use for his research?

  Laboratory experiment method
• What does operant conditioning involve?

  Operant conditioning involves learning where behavior is acquired and maintained based on its consequences.
• What are the two types of reinforcement in operant conditioning?

  Positive reinforcement and negative reinforcement.
• What is positive reinforcement?

  Positive reinforcement occurs when a behavior is performed to receive a reward.
• What is negative reinforcement?


  Negative reinforcement occurs when a behavior is performed to avoid negative consequences.
• What did Skinner demonstrate using a rat in his experiments?

  Skinner demonstrated the mechanisms of positive and negative reinforcement.
• What happens during extinction in classical conditioning?


  Extinction occurs when the conditioned stimulus is no longer paired with the unconditioned stimulus, leading to the disappearance of the conditioned response.

  
• What is spontaneous recovery?

  Spontaneous recovery occurs when the individual performs the conditioned response some time after extinction has occurred.
• What is generalization in classical conditioning?

  Generalization occurs when slight changes in the conditioned stimulus still produce the same conditioned response.
• What is the main premise of classical conditioning?

  Classical conditioning is a type of learning that occurs through associations made between the unconditioned stimulus and the neutral stimulus.
• What are the steps of classical conditioning as demonstrated by Pavlov?

  1. Before conditioning: UCS (food) → UCR (salivation)
  2. During conditioning: NS (bell) + UCS (food) → UCR (salivation)
  3. After conditioning: CS (bell) → CR (salivation)
• What is the significance of Skinner's Box in behaviorism?

  Skinner's Box demonstrated the principles of operant conditioning through controlled experiments with rats.
• How can classical conditioning explain the acquisition of a phobia?

  Classical conditioning can explain the acquisition of a phobia through the association of a neutral stimulus with a frightening unconditioned stimulus.

  
• What is the role of vicarious reinforcement in social learning theory?

  Vicarious reinforcement occurs when an observer sees their role model being rewarded for a behavior, motivating them to imitate that behavior.

  
• What is a role model in social learning theory?

  A role model is a person with whom the observer identifies and who displays specific behaviors that can be imitated.
• What are the four mediational processes in social learning theory?

  The four mediational processes are attention, retention, motor reproduction, and motivation.
• What is identification in social learning theory?

  Identification is the process by which an observer relates to and aspires to become more like a role model.
• What is the significance of Bandura's Bobo Doll study?

  Bandura's Bobo Doll study demonstrated that children who observed aggressive role models behaved more aggressively themselves.
• What are the limitations of Bandura's Bobo Doll experiment?

  The experiment may lack internal validity due to demand characteristics and may not represent real-life aggression.
• How does social learning theory differ from behaviorism?

  Social learning theory acknowledges the role of cognitive processes and mediational factors in learning, unlike behaviorism which focuses solely on observable behavior.

  
• What is environmental determinism in the context of behaviorism?


  Environmental determinism is the view that all behavior is the product of past reinforcement contingencies, leaving no room for free will.

  
• What ethical concerns are raised by behaviorist research methods?

  Behaviorist research methods may cause physical or psychological harm to animals and humans, breaching ethical guidelines.
• What is the significance of token economies in behaviorism?

  Token economies are used to reinforce socially-desirable behavior by providing tokens that can be exchanged for privileges.
• What does social learning theory suggest about the role of media in behavior?

  Social learning theory suggests that media can serve as a source of role models and influence behavior through vicarious reinforcement.

  
• How does social learning theory account for individual differences in behavior?

  Social learning theory accounts for individual differences through the use of mediational processes that vary among individuals.

  
• What is the role of cognitive processes in social learning theory?

  Cognitive processes mediate between stimulus and response, influencing whether observed behaviors are imitated.
• What is the main assumption of the cognitive approach?

  The cognitive approach assumes that mental processes can be scientifically studied and understood.
• Why might the Bobo doll study lack mundane realism?

  Because it may not represent how children would be aggressive in day-to-day situations.