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Approaches 16 markersOutline the origins of psychology - correct answer-Introspection--> a self-report technique
where people record their conscious thoughts to be then broken down into basic elements.
Wundt (1879) believed in structuralism of the mind.
Now recognised as 'scientific' due to the many controls used i.e. the same stimulus (a ticking
metronome) and the same standardised instructions to be issued to all participants, allowing
for the process to be replicated.
The scientific approach
R: Replicable; can be recreated
O: Objective; based on facts rather than opinion
C: Controlled; limiting the effect of any external variables
E: Empirical; hard evidence
T: Theory Construction; the use of a theory to make a prediction
Also uses scientific cycle--> observation, theory, prediction, research
Evaluate the origins of psychology - correct answer-Introspection
+ A benefit is application; Griffiths (1994) gambling 'think aloud' study of gamblers and
non-gamblers on fruit machine; showed the 2 groups had very different thought processes;
information useful as can help tackle addiction.
--- Focus on private mind; Nisbett and Wilson 1977 believe we have very little awareness of
underlying though process; introspection limited as does not cover whole mind; low internal
validity as not sure what causes thoughts or if they're all being recorded.
--- Flawed due to subjective findings; skinner claims only observable behaviour can be
measured objectively; introspection not measured objectively; also low internal validity
Scientific
+ The scientific approach with many controls allows studies to be replicated; Ainsworth's
strange situation, step by step instructions; used globally to assess attachment; increases
reliability of the theory as evidence for it is replicable so can be tested many times.
--- High controlled environment does not reflect real life, Loftus and Palmer car crash slips,
lacks the stress so not an accurate example of a real life situation; lacks ecological validity
as does not mimic a real reaction/situation.
Outline the learning approach: Behaviourism - correct answer-Behaviourist approach
explains behaviour in terms of what is observable and in terms of learning.
Classical conditioning- Pavlov
Learning by associating, 2 stimuli, 1 unconditioned & 1 neutral, the neutral stimulus will then
become associated, so a conditioned stimulus, and create the same response and the
original unconditioned stimulus.
Bell-->food-->dog-->salivation
, Operant conditioning - Skinner (1953)
Rats and pigeons in cages, every time a lever was pushed a food pellet would be released
and the animals would learn to push the lever for food. Would also learn to avoid a lever if it
gave an electric shock.
- Positive reinforcement receiving a reward for performing a certain behaviour
- Negative reinforcement performing an action/behaviour to avoid a something unpleasant
such as an electric shock
- Punishment an unpleasant consequence for behaviour
Evaluate the learning approach: Behaviourism - correct answer-Support:
• Research is credible; studies focused on lab studies and the measure of observable
characteristics, Skinner; emphasising importance of scientific processes, objectivity and
replication, high reliability as results are based on observed behaviour and can be replicated.
• Application; classical conditioning when treating phobias (break fearful associations); Gilroy
et al 2003; after 3 sessions of SD meant pps were less fearful than the control group;
causation clear; high internal validity.
Criticism:
• Tested on animals; to avoid participant bias and ethical implications of trying to condition
human behaviour (little Albert) animals often used; animals are a different species, different
structures and behaviours; cannot generalise due to the different groups/ extrapolation of
findings not applicable.
• Theories ignore free will; approach assumes behaviour is due to past experiences
conditioning us; therefore our actions are only an illusion of freewill; deterministic as it
ignores free will as a concept.
Outline the learning approach: Social learning theory - correct answer-Social learning theory
Behaviour is learned through observation and imitation with in a social context
1) Vicarious reinforcement reinforcement not directly experienced but occurs through
observing someone else being reinforced for a behaviour
2) Imitation Coping the behaviour of others
3) Identification observer associates themselves with role model they want to be like
4) Modelling demonstration of specific behaviour which might be imitated
5) Mediational processes
Attention- the extent to which we notice certain behaviours;
Retention- how well the behaviour is remembered;
Motor reproduction- ability of observer to perform the behaviour; Motivation- the will to
perform the behaviour, which is often determined by whether the behaviour was rewarded or
punished
Bandura's Study- Bobo doll:
1961 lab experiment matched pairs design
Split into 3 conditions, one witnessed an adult violently hurting the doll, another witnessed
the adult play softly with the doll and third was a control.
Results showed that the children whom had observed the violent behaviour were more
violent to the doll than those who had not witnessed it.
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