Wundt and introspection AO3
+Scientific: controlled env, standardised
-Subjective data: general laws not possible as all introspections diff
+‘Father of modern psychology’
Emergence of psychology as a science AO3
+Modern psychology: Learning, cog and bio approaches all use scientific methods e.g. lab research
-Subjective data: Humanistic and Psychodynamic rely on unscientific case studies. Research hampered by demand characteristics.
-Paradigm: Kuhn says it’s not a science as whether it has agreed assumptions and methods is up for debate
Behaviourist approach AO3
+Well-controlled research: Beh broken down to S-R units removes EVs.
-Counterpoint: ignored important influence on learning (e.g. human thought). Mental processes in SLT and cog approach.
+RWA: TE systems used in prisons and psychiatric institutions, CC used in treating phobias.
Env determinism: All Beh influenced by past experiences- ‘free will is an illusion’-skinner
SLT AO3
+Cognitive factors: More comprehensive, ‘from observing others one forms an idea of how new behaviours are performed.
-Counterpoint: Underestimates biological influence, SLT involves mirror neurones in the brain.
-Contrived lab studies: Ptts May respond to demand characteristics. Main purpose of Bobo doll is to strike it children may have behaved in a way they thought they were expected.
+RWA: Cultural diffs in Beh explained. Useful in understanding how children come to understand their gender role and how cultural norms transmitted within a society.
Cognitive approach AO3
+Scientific methods: lab studies, objective, high control, rigorous methods of study so researchers can make inferences. Cog neuroscience is scientific.
-Counterpoint: can be to abstrat & theoretical in nature. Uses artificial stimuli- doesn’t represent everyday experiences. Lack EV
RWA: AI (robots), CBT in treating depression, improved reliability of EWT (through knowledge of self-schema)
-Machine reductionism: Ignores influence of human emotion and motivation on cog system when processing info. Research that anxiety may influence human memory.
Biological approach AO3
+RWA: Understanding bio processes helps w development of psychoactive drugs.
-Counterpoint: Cipriani- antidepressants don’t work for everyone. Compared 21 antidepressants finding wide variations in there effectiveness.
+Scientific methods: precise highly objective methods (FMRIs and EEGs). With tech advanced it’s possible to accurately measure psychological and neural processes that aren’t open to bias. Biological- objective, reliable data.
-Biological determinism: Sees human behaviour as governed by internal genetically-determined factors, oversimplification.
Emergence of psych
Wundt- 1879
Psychodynamic- 1900
Behaviourist- 1913
Humanistic- 1950s
Cognitive- 1950s
Social learning- 1960s
Biological- 1980s
Cognitive neuroscience- 21st century
Behaviourist approach assumptions
Studying bvr that can be observed & measured.
Lab studies- control & objectivity
Environmental determinism as believe a babies mind is a ‘blank slate’ (tabula rasa)
Carry experiments out on animals and relate to humans
SLT assumptions
Agreed w behaviourists that bvr learnt through experience
But through imitation & observation instead of conditioning
Cognitive approach assumptions
Internal mental processes should be studied scientifically. Studies memory, perception, thinking.
Indirectly studied so make inferences
Biological approach assumptions
Everything biological was at first psychological so we must look into bio structures an processes within the body to fully understand human bvr.
Mind lives in brain so thoughts, feelings, bvs ultimately have physical basis.
Psychodynamic approach assumptions
All bvr can be explained by inner mind conflicts
Unconscious mind determines all of our bvr and we are motivated by unconscious emotional drives.
Highlights effect of childhood experiences on later life
Humanistic approach assumptions
Aims to understand ppls subjectivity.
Believe in ‘free will’ in the idea ppl are self-determining in the way they act
Psychodynamic approach AO3
+RWA: Freud brought a new form of therapy called psychoanalysis which was a first attempt to treat mental disorders psychologically. Aimed to bring repressed emotions to conscious so they could be dealt w. Fore-runner to modern day counselling.
-Counterpoint: May not apply to all mental disorders. (e.g. Schizophrenia where symptoms like paranoia and delusional thinking mean ptts can’t articulate thoughts like psychoanalysis requires.
+Explanatory power: Explain many human bvs such as personality development, abnormal bvr, moral development and gender identity. Also draws attention to connection between childhood experiences (e.g. rel w parents) and later development.
-Untestable concepts: Doesn’t meet scientific criterion of falsification. Concepts like oedipus complex and Id are said to occur in unconcsious so are impossible to test. Also on case studies like Little Hans meaning in’t not universal.
Humanistic approach AO3
+Not reductionist: as it belives bvr can only be understood by considering the whole person . Approach may have more validity by considering human bvr in real-world contexts.
-Counterpoint: Humanistic approach may be considered less scientific compared to alternatives as it doesn’t reduce bvr to IV and DV and there are relatively few concepts that can be broken down to single variables and measured. Lacks empirical evidence.
-Limited application: Little impacts but revolutionised therapy (counselling), Maslow’s heiarachy explains motivation.
+Positive approach that sees ppl as good and in control.
-Western culture bias: Associated w individualism
what is maslows hierarchy of needs
psychological needs
safety
love and belonging
self-esteem
self-actualisation
What did rogers propose
Ppl have innate desire for personal growth and self-actualisation
A mismatch between real and ideal self can lead to psychological distress
Harmony between ideal and real self promoted psychological wellbeing
What is the odeipus complex
Boys unconscious desire for mother in rivalry with father which occurs in the phallic stage.
Father seen as rival for mothers attention.
Occurs due to fear of castration.
Crucial in superego development.
What is electra complex
A girls hostility towards mother due to subconscious desire for father.
