Psychology approaches

• Pavlov theory conclusion 


  suggests that existing involuntary reflexes can become associated with a new stimulus.
• CR


  conditioned response- response which has been learnt through association (salivation to bell)
• CS


  conditioned stimulus- something that triggers a learnt response (bell= salivation)
• UCR


  unconditioned response- response which is natural, doesn’t need to be learnt (salivation to food)
• UCS


  unconditioned stimulus- something that triggers a natural response (food=salivation)
• NS


  a neutral stimulus- (bell) something that doesn’t automatically trigger a reflex response (salivation)
• Basic assumptions of the cognitive approach


  believes mental processes can and should be studied scientifically.
• inferences


  making assumptions on how mental processes operate on the basis of observed behaviour.
• theoretical model (MMS)


  stimulus-> sensory register-> stm->ltm
• use of computer models


  help explain processes, better understood

  input-> central processing unit-> output

  senses/keyboard-> brain/computer-> behaviour/words on a screen
• roles of schemas


  developed through experience and guides our behaviour
• emergence of cognitive neuroscience


  emerged in 1970s whilst improving PET scans

  neurobiological basis of thought= cognitive+ biological
• cognitive neuroscience


  provides neurobiological basis of psychological disorders
• bandura


  observations

  3 groups of children = 1 aggressive model, 1 non-aggressive, 1 with no model

  copied behaviours of their assigned models

  gender plays a role in copying

  aggression learnt through observation
• identification


  similar to a model- same age or gender

  likelihood to imitate increases
• vicarious reinforcement


  observing someone being rewarded for their behaviour - likelihood of imitation increases as they want to be rewarded in the same way
• motor reproduction


  physical ability to copy, easier to replicate
• retention


  a memory, repeated behaviour more likely to be remembered
• basic assumption of SLT


  learn directly and indirectly (observation and imitation)

  meditational though processes- intervene with learning
• key features of the biological approach


  genes, evolution, neurochemistry and biological structures
• genotype


  genetic makeup of an individual

  eg inherit 5HT1D- beta which predisposes them to OCD

  identical twins have identical genotypes

  both will have predisposition to OCD
• phenotype


  genotype + environmental stress interacting

  twins do not have the same phenotypes- don’t share same environment and has different behaviours

  1 twin= stress=OCD

  1 twin=no stress=no OCD
• genes


  evolution- survival passed through generations
• phobias


  monkeys feared toy snake not rabbits, shows biological pre-preparedness to fear animals that cause harm.
• attraction(Buss experiment)


  similarities in mate preferences

  women desired money for offspring

  men desired looks
• neurochemistry


  neurotransmitter are associated with behaviour

  eg OCD is caused by low levels of serotonin
• structure of organs

  brain=behaviour

  increased orbitofrontal cortex explains obsessions in OCD

  decision making
• What are the 6 A01 points of the biological approach?


  Biological structures, genes, evolution, mate preference, neurochemistry, and atypical behavior
• What does genotype refer to in the context of the biological approach?


  Genotype is the genetic makeup of an individual
• How does phenotype relate to genotype and environment?


  Phenotype is the result of genotype plus environmental influences
• How can a stressful environment trigger OCD according to the biological approach?


  A stressful environment can interact with genetic predispositions to trigger OCD
• What role does evolution play in the biological approach?


  Evolution involves survival and reproduction being passed from one generation to another
• What did the Buss experiment reveal about mate preference?


  Women prefer men with money, while men prefer women based on looks
• What is neurochemistry in the context of the biological approach?


  Neurochemistry studies imbalances in neurotransmitters associated with atypical behavior
• How is schizophrenia related to dopamine levels?


  Schizophrenia is associated with high levels of dopamine
• What can excessive dopamine activity lead to in individuals with schizophrenia?


  Excessive dopamine activity can lead to delusions and hallucinations
• How does the biological approach explain atypical behavior?


  Atypical behavior is explained through biological structures, genes, and neurochemical imbalances