[🧠] Approaches

Question 1

Assumptions of the social approach

The core studies

Answer 1

1. individual behaviour, cognitions and emotions can only be understood with reference to other individuals
2. behaviour can be moidified by social contexts with reference to groups of people

Social approach

Question 2

Assumptions of the cognitive approach

The core studies

Answer 2

1. there are similarities between the way people and computers process information
2. there are individual differences in cognitive processes which can explain differing behaviours and emotions amongst people

Question 3

Assumptions of the learning approach

The core studies

Answer 3

• Experiences and interactions with the environment shape people’s behaviour and these changes are directly observable
• People learn through the processes of operant conditioning, classical conditioning and social learning, which can be understood by the stimulus-response model

Question 4

Assumptions of the biological approach

The core studies

Answer 4

• There is a direct correlation between brain activity and cognition
• Biochemical imbalances in neurotransmitters and hormones can affect behaviour
• Brain physiology can affect behaviour
• Behaviour can be inherited by genetic information

Question 5

Explain what is meant by

operant conditioning

Learning Approach

Answer 5

Operant conditioning suggests that through rewarding an action, the action is more likely to be repeated. Operant conditioning shows learning through consequences of behaviour.

Operant conditioning

Question 6

Explain what is meant by

classical conditioning

Learning Approach

Answer 6

Classical conditioning suggests that the association of an unconditioned stimulus and a neutral stimulus produces a learned response.
Classical conditioning shows learning through association.

Classical conditioning