T5: Approaches

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

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

  It suggests that the mind and body interact in different ways to produce different behaviors and thoughts.
• What is the definition of psychology according to the IB?

  Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes and how these are affected by internal and external factors.

  
• How is science defined in the study material?

  Science is 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?

  Introspection is 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 the reliability of his data recording?

  By using the same stimulus each time, allowing for replication under standardized conditions.
• What was Skinner's main disagreement with introspection?


  He disagreed with its subjective nature, which made it difficult to establish general laws of behavior.
• What is radical behaviorism?

  It is the idea that private events can be measured and quantified in the same way as observable behavior.
• What method did Skinner use for his research?

  The laboratory experiment method.
• What does operant conditioning involve?


  It involves learning where behavior is acquired and maintained based on its consequences.
• What is the main difference between classical and operant conditioning?

  Classical conditioning involves associations between stimuli, while operant conditioning involves consequences of behavior.
• What is the process of extinction in classical conditioning?

  Extinction occurs when the conditioned stimulus is no longer paired with the unconditioned stimulus, leading to the disappearance of the conditioned response.
• What is spontaneous recovery in classical conditioning?

  Spontaneous recovery occurs when the individual carries out the conditioned response some time after extinction has occurred.
• What is generalization in classical conditioning?

  Generalization occurs when slight changes in the conditioned stimulus still produce the same conditioned response.
• What is positive reinforcement?

  Positive reinforcement occurs when a behavior is followed by a reward, increasing the likelihood of that behavior being repeated.
• What is negative reinforcement?


  Negative reinforcement occurs when a behavior is performed to avoid negative consequences.
• How did Skinner demonstrate operant conditioning using Skinner's Box?


  Skinner used a rat that learned to press a lever to receive food (positive reinforcement) and to avoid an electric shock (negative reinforcement).

  
• What is the significance of Little Albert's experiment in classical conditioning?

  It demonstrates the acquisition and maintenance of a phobia through classical conditioning.
• What are the potential applications of understanding classical and operant conditioning?

  They have led to the development of treatments and therapies for serious mental disorders.
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of the behaviorist approach?

  Strengths:

  • Scientific rigor with objective data collection
  • Real-life applications in therapy and behavior modification

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Environmental determinism limits understanding of human behavior
  • Ethical concerns regarding animal research

  
• What does social learning theory (SLT) suggest about learning?

  SLT suggests that learning occurs both directly through conditioning and indirectly through vicarious reinforcement.
• What is the role of a role model in social learning theory?

  A role model is someone with whom the observer identifies and who displays behaviors that can be imitated.
• What is vicarious reinforcement?

  Vicarious reinforcement is indirect learning that occurs when an observer sees a role model being rewarded for a behavior.
• What are the four mediational processes in social learning theory?

  Attention, retention, motor reproduction, and motivation.
• What was the main finding of Bandura's Bobo Doll study?

  Children who observed aggressive role models behaved more aggressively towards the Bobo doll.
• What is a limitation of Bandura's Bobo Doll experiment regarding gender differences?

  It ignores biological differences between boys and girls, such as hormonal influences on aggression.
• What is a potential issue with demand characteristics in Bandura's study?

  Participants may have acted more aggressively towards the doll to please the experimenter, reducing internal validity.
• How does social learning theory acknowledge human cognition?

  It recognizes the role of mediational processes, which involve conscious and cognitive insights into behavior.
• What is the main assumption of the cognitive approach?


  The cognitive approach assumes that the scientific and objective study of mental processes is essential.
• What are the key components of the cognitive approach?

  • Focus on mental processes
  • Use of scientific methods
  • Emphasis on information processing
  • Understanding how thoughts influence behavior
• Why might the Bobo doll study lack mundane realism?

  Because it may not represent how children would be aggressive in day-to-day situations.
• What is the 'Please-U effect' in the context of the Bobo doll study?

  It refers to participants deliberately acting more aggressively to please the experimenter.
• How does Social Learning Theory (SLT) differ from behaviorism regarding human cognition?

  SLT recognizes the role of mediational processes and conscious cognitive insight in behavior.
• What are the main assumptions of the cognitive approach?

  • Scientific study of internal mental processes is possible.
  • Cognitive psychologists make inferences based on observable behaviors.
  • Mental processes are seen as separate from the brain.

  
• What is an example of a theoretical model in cognitive psychology?

  The working memory model.
• What are the components of the working memory model?

  Central executive, phonological loop, visuo-spatial sketchpad, and episodic buffer.