A-level Psychology

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

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

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

  The scientific study of behaviour and mental processes and how these are affected by internal and external factors
• How is science defined according to the study material?

  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
  • The 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 involve?

  Learning based on the consequences of behavior
• What are the two types of reinforcement in operant conditioning?

  Positive 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 with his box?

  The mechanisms of positive and negative reinforcement

  
• What happens during extinction in classical conditioning?

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

  When the conditioned response occurs again after a period of extinction
• What is generalization in classical conditioning?

  When slight changes in the conditioned stimulus still produce the conditioned response
• What are the stages of learning according to social learning theory?

  1. Identification with a role model
  2. Observation of the role model's behavior
  3. Imitation of the observed behavior
  4. Vicarious reinforcement influences the likelihood of imitation
• What is a role model in social learning theory?

  A person with whom the observer identifies
• What is identification in social learning theory?

  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 four mediational processes in social learning theory?

  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 social learning theory differ from behaviorism?

  SLT acknowledges the role of cognitive processes in learning
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of the behaviorist approach?

  Strengths:

  • Scientific rigor
  • Real-life applications

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Environmental determinism
  • Ethical concerns in animal research
• What is the main assumption of the behaviorist approach?

  All behavior is acquired and maintained through conditioning
• What is the significance of the cognitive approach in psychology?

  It emphasizes the role of mental processes in understanding behavior
• What role did technology play in the development of cognitive psychology?

  It provided a metaphor for the functions and workings of the mind
• How did brain scanning techniques influence the biological approach?

  They allowed psychologists to objectively observe and measure the biological basis of behavior
• Why is the nature versus nurture debate significant in psychology?

  It explores the influence of genetics and environment on behavior
• What historical context contributed to psychology's evolution as a scientific discipline?

  The establishment of systematic methodologies and evidence-based research
• What contributions did Watson and Rayner make to classical conditioning?

  They conducted experiments demonstrating the conditioning of emotional responses
• What are the ethical implications of using animals in psychological research?

  Concerns about protection from harm and the treatment of animals
• What are the differences between classical and operant conditioning?

  Classical conditioning involves associations between stimuli, while operant conditioning involves consequences of behavior
• What is the significance of the observer's role in social learning theory?

  The observer's identification with the role model influences imitation