Psychology - Approaches

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

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


  They interact in different ways to produce different behaviors and thoughts
• What is the definition of psychology according to the IB?


  The scientific study of behavior and mental processes and how these are affected by internal and external factors
• How is science defined?


  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?


  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 reliable data in his experiments?


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


  He disagreed with its subjective nature
• What is radical behaviorism?


  The idea that private events can be measured and quantified like observable behavior
• What method did Skinner use for his research?


  The laboratory experiment method
• What does operant conditioning focus on?


  Learning based on the consequences of behavior
• What is the definition of classical conditioning?


  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. UCS produces UCR
  2. NS paired with UCS to produce UCR
  3. Association made between UCS and NS
  4. NS becomes CS, producing CR
• What happens during extinction in classical conditioning?


  The conditioned stimulus is no longer paired with the unconditioned stimulus
• What is spontaneous recovery?


  When the individual carries out the conditioned response after extinction has occurred
• What is generalization in classical conditioning?


  When slight changes in the conditioned stimulus still produce the same conditioned response
• What is operant conditioning?


  A type of 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?


  When a behavior is performed to receive a reward
• What is negative reinforcement?


  When a behavior is performed to avoid negative consequences
• What did Skinner demonstrate using a rat in his experiments?


  The mechanisms of positive and negative reinforcement
• What are the potential applications of classical conditioning in psychology?


  1. Understanding phobias (e.g., Little Albert)
  2. Discussing extinction and generalization
• What are the potential applications of operant conditioning?


  1. Treatment of mental disorders
  2. Token economies in behavioral therapy
• What is environmental determinism in behaviorism?


  The view that all behavior is the product of past reinforcement contingencies
• What ethical concerns are associated with Skinner's Box?


  It caused physical harm to the rats, breaching ethical guidelines
• What did Watson and Rayner's experiments on Little Albert fail to protect him from?


  Psychological harm
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of the behaviorist approach?


  Strengths:

  • Scientific rigor
  • Real-life applications

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Environmental determinism
  • Ethical concerns in research
• What does social learning theory (SLT) suggest about learning?


  Learning occurs both directly and indirectly through vicarious reinforcement
• What are the stages of learning according to SLT?


  An observer identifies with a role model, observes behavior, and imitates it if the model is rewarded
• What is a role model in the context of SLT?


  A person with whom the observer identifies
• What is identification in SLT?


  The process by which an observer relates to a role model
• What is vicarious reinforcement?


  Indirect learning that occurs when an observer sees their role model rewarded
• What are the mediational processes in SLT?


  1. Attention
  2. Retention
  3. Motor reproduction
  4. Motivation
• What was the focus of Bandura's Bobo Doll study?


  The effect of aggressive role models on children's behavior
• What is a limitation of Bandura's Bobo Doll experiment?


  It may lack internal validity due to demand characteristics
• How does SLT acknowledge human cognition?


  It recognizes the role of mediational processes in behavior
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of social learning theory?


  Strengths:

  • Acknowledges human cognition
  • Explains learning in social contexts

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Ignores biological differences
  • May lack internal validity in experiments