Biological Approaches

• What is the focus of the origins of psychology section?


  It discusses the historical development of psychology.
• What does introspective psychology emphasize?


  It emphasizes self-observation and reporting of conscious experiences.
• What are the main learning approaches in psychology?

  • Behaviourist approach: behaviour learned through association or consequences.
  • Social learning theory: behaviour learned from observing others.
  • Cognitive approach: study of internal mental processes.
  • Biological approach: focuses on the neural and bodily basis of actions.
• What is the core idea of the behaviourist approach?


  All behaviour is learned through association or consequences.
• How does social learning theory explain behaviour?


  It states that behaviour is learned from observing other people.
• What does the cognitive approach focus on?


  The study of internal mental processes.
• What does the biological approach examine?


  It examines the neural and bodily basis of our actions.
• How does natural selection relate to behaviour?

  Natural selection favours genes that enhance survival and reproduction.
• What are the two major physiological systems that regulate behaviour?

  • Nervous system
  • Endocrine system
• What is the central role of the central nervous system (CNS)?


  It coordinates psychological processes.
• What are the components of the central nervous system?


  The brain and spinal cord.
• What does the somatic nervous system (SNS) control?

  Controlled movements.
• What is the function of the autonomic nervous system (ANS)?

  It maintains internal homeostasis.
• What are the two divisions of the autonomic nervous system?


  • Sympathetic nervous system (SNS)
  • Parasympathetic nervous system (PNS)
• What is the main function of the pituitary gland?

  It is the main gland of the endocrine system.
• What is the role of hormones in the endocrine system?

  They bind to specific receptor sites in the bloodstream.
• What is the fight or flight response associated with?

  Adrenal glands secreting adrenaline and noradrenaline.
• What is the effect of adrenaline on the body?


  It increases heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing.
• What are the types of neurons mentioned?


  Sensory, motor, and relay neurons.
• What is a synapse?


  A separation between neurons where neurotransmitters are released.
• What is the role of the sympathetic nervous system?


  • Stimulation of the fight or flight response
  • Increases heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing
• What is the role of the parasympathetic nervous system?


  • Returns the body to a calm state
  • Decreases heart rate and promotes relaxation
• What does the psychodynamic approach suggest about behaviour?


  Behaviour is determined by unconscious forces.
• What are the components of personality according to the psychodynamic approach?


  Id, ego, and superego.
• What is the role of the id in personality structure?


  It is the primitive part that operates on the pleasure principle.
• What is the function of the ego?


  It mediates between the id and superego using the reality principle.
• What does the superego represent?


  It represents morality and the sense of right and wrong.
• What are defence mechanisms in the psychodynamic approach?


  They are used by the ego to reduce anxiety and keep the id in check.
• What are some examples of defence mechanisms?


  • Repression
  • Denial
  • Displacement
• What is the evaluation of Freud's theory of therapy?


  It has real-world applications but is not suitable for all mental disorders.
• What is a criticism of the psychodynamic approach regarding its testability?


  Much of the theory is untestable and based on case studies.
• What are the criticisms of humanistic psychology?


  • Vague and unrealistic concepts
  • Difficult to test empirically
  • Culture-bound and may not apply universally
• Wundt's Lab


  First psychology lab set up by Wilhelm Wundt in Germany
• Introspection


  A method used by Wundt to study the mind scientifically by looking inwardly at one's own thoughts, feelings, and sensations
• Structuralism


  A school of thought in psychology that tries to break down consciousness into its basic parts, such as thoughts, images, and sensations
• Behaviourism


  A school of thought in psychology that focused on observable behaviour, ignoring thoughts and feelings, and developed behavioral techniques like conditioning
• Cognitive Approach


  A psychological approach that studies mental processes, comparing the human mind to a computer, and examining information processing, attention, and memory
• Biological Approach


  A psychological approach that focuses on the biological basis of behavior, including brain structure, neurotransmitters, and genetics
• Classical Conditioning


  A type of learning where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with an unconditioned stimulus to elicit an unconditioned response
• Operant Conditioning


  A type of learning where behavior is modified by its consequences, such as rewards or punishments