Approaches

• What are the assumptions of the cognitive approach?

  • All behaviour comes from internal mental processing where info is inputted and encoded for retrieval and output at a later date
  • We are like a computer - 5 stages of processing - Input, encoding, storage, retrieval and output
  • Preference for experimental method where an IV is isolated to see the effect on the DV such as in memory
• What are the assumptions of the behaviourist approach?

  • Behaviourism is primarily concerned with observable behaviour as it can be objectively and scientifically measured
  • Psychology is a science so behaviour must be measured in highly controlled environments to establish cause and effect
  • Behaviour is the result of a stimulus
  • All behaviour is learnt from the environment
• What is the behaviourist concept of classical conditioning?

  Learning by paired association
• What is the behaviourist concept of operant conditioning?

  Learning through consequences by positive and negative reinforcement of behavioural responses
• What is the behaviourist concept of Social Learning Theory?

  Suggests behaviour is learnt through the observation and imitation of a role model the individual identifies with. The behaviour is either vicariously reinforced, where the role model is rewarded, or directly reinforced, where the individual is rewarded. The behaviour becomes an integral part of the individual and is internalised.
• What are the applications of the cognitive approach?

  • Schemas
  • Reconstructive memory
  • Eyewitness testamony
• What are the assumptions of the psychodynamic approach?

  • Everything is subconscious
  • Behaviour is a result of childhood experience
  • Conflict resolution
  • Psychosexual stages - "oral, anal, phallic and latent"
• What is the concept of the oedipus complex in the psychodynamic approach?

  • Takes place in phallic stage (3-6) years
  • Subconscious lust for mother
  • Fear of father finding out so identification with father to not be found out
  • Castration anxiety
• What are the assumptions of the individual differences approach?

  • Looks for differences
  • Individuals differ in their behaviour and personal qualities so not everyone can be considered average
  • Every individual is genetically unique and this uniqueness is displayed through behaviour, so everyone behaves differently
  • Individuals can be studied idiographically as behaviour is unique to them
  • All human characteristics can be measured from one person and quantified but the measures gained from one person differ from others
  • All psychological characteristics are inherited and unique
• What is the idiographic approach?

  • Understanding behaviour through studying individual cases
  • Rejects science
  • Explains behaviour through subjective experience of individual
  • Qualitative data
• What is the nomothetic approach?

  • Understanding behaviour through developing laws and principles that apply to all individuals
  • Uses scientific principles
  • Generalised explanation
  • Quantitative data
• What are the assumptions of the biological approach?

  • Everything psychological is at first biological so changes in biology changes behaviour
  • Approach investigates how biological structures and processes within the body impacts behaviour
  • Much of human behaviour has a physiological cause which may be genetically or environmentally altered
  • Genes affect behaviour and influence psychological differences between people. Evolutionary psychology considers genetic influences in common behaviour
  • Assumes all behaviour is down to the brain genetics or neurochemistry
• What are the assumptions of the social approach?

  • Behaviour is the result of other people such as a role model or someone we identify with
  • Favours the situational explanation where behaviour is the result of the situation e.g. environment or other individuals
  • Our relationships with others influence our behaviour and thought processes
  • All human behaviour occurs in a social context (even in the absence of others)
• What is the social concept of obedience?

  • The act of following the instructions or orders of an authority figure.
• What is the social concept of altruistic behaviour?

  • Selfless concern for the wellbeing of others
• What is the social concept of conformity?

  • When an individual changes their behaviour or beliefs to fit in with those of a group
• What are the assumptions of the developmental approach?

  • Importance of understanding changes in behaviour from birth to death and this is an ongoing process
  • Behaviour may be learned and develop on an individual basis (Bandura)
  • Early experiences may not develop until later in life. Development may be driven by nature and biological maturation process
  • Development may happen in predetermined stages (Kohlberg)
• What are the applications of the developmental approach?

  • Teaching and learning - discovery learning, key stages in school etc
  • Parenting classes
  • Play therapy
  • Intervention for developmental disorders and children moving through adolescence
  • Dealing with children‘s behavioural problems
  • Toy / game design
  • Authoring children’s books