Complete summary of notes throughout all the Approaches: origins, psychodynamic, behaviourist, humanistic, cognitive, social learning theory, biological. Each section is clearly detailed and includes content covered in lessons, such as case studies, evaluation, etc.
APPROACHES OF PSYCHOLOGY
Origins of Psychology
Wundt 1832 - 1920
- Father of psychology.
- Laboratory in Leipzig Germany
- Empiricism : the theory that all knowledge is derived from experience based on the
senses.
- Aim to study structure of human mind and break down behaviours into basic
elements through controlled experiments → STRUCTURALISM
- Introspection : ‘looking into’ and consciously observing thoughts and feelings
- Process examines inner thoughts by consciously observing thoughts +
emotions
- Established psychology as a science using scientific methods
Emergence of Psychology as a Science
New scientific approach based on two major assumptions: Determinism and Predictability.
- Objective : tendency to base judgements and interpretations on external data rather
than subjective factors (personal beliefs, experiences, feelings)
- Systematic : Well-ordered manner in method that gives reliable information
following a planned or recorded system
- Replicable : Same results can be expected if repeated in the same way
Evaluation
Strengths
+ Scientific method allows it to be replicable, and externally valid
+ Scientific method allows control and internal validity
+ Practical Application: contemporary research method of measuring be introspective
(Hunter 2003 - Beepers to require participants to write about thoughts and feelings)
+ Paved the way for psychology as a science, including the use of biology and cognitive
psychologists
Weaknesses
- Introspection is not accurate (Nisbett and Wilson, 1977 - Little knowledge of what
factors contributes to behaviours or belief, such as influences on customer items)
- Based from subjectiveness as it is not scientific it can not be easily reproduced in
other laboratories
- Participants only record conscious thoughts, not unconscious (Psychodynamic)
- Unreplicable and unreliable of experimental records
, Psychodynamic Approach - 1900s
Assumptions
1. Unconscious processes determine behaviour
(opposite of introspection)
2. Personality has three parts, aka. Tripartite : Id,
Ego, Superego
3. Early childhood experience experiences
determine adult behaviour
Key Words
Psychic Determinism - Unconscious forces and drives
are innate and determine behaviour from within
Psychodynamic - Theories that emphasises change and
development in individual, and ‘drive’ is central concept
Psychoanalysis - Personality theory and therapy
associated with Sigmund Freud
Freudian Slips - Reveal what is really on our minds by
saying something we didn’t mean - In unconscious
Role of the Unconscious
Conscious : Small amount of mental activity e.g. thoughts and perceptions
Preconscious: Could be aware if we tried e.g.meanings, stored knowledge
Unconscious: Unaware of and can not became aware of e.g. instincts, buried memories
Structure of the Personality
ID (DEVIL) - Primitive innate drives that are unconsciously driven by the pleasure
principle. Present at birth and splays as selfish, demanding immediate gratification.
EGO (MEDIATOR) - Age 2 development and focuses on reality principle. Reduces conflict
between the Id and Superego by implementing defence mechanisms.
SUPEREGO (ANGEL) - Develops at age 5, internal morals known as morality principle
from same-sex parent that punishes our wrongs through guilt.
Defence Mechanisms
Unconscious strategies that protect our conscious self from anxiety, involving a distortion of
reality to cope better.
- Repression: Forcing a distressing memory out of the conscious mind
- Denial: Rejection of thought/feeling and refusing to acknowledge aspects of reality
- Displacement: Transfer feelings from sources of distress onto substitute target
, Psychosexual Stages
STAGE AGE EROGENOUS KEY EXPERIENCE FIXATION
ZONE
Oral 0 - 18 mths Mouth as main Sucking Too much or too little
focus of pleasure Biting pleasure
→ Mother’s breast Chewing -> Biting nails
as main source of -> Smoker
pleasure -> Sarcastic
-> Critical
-> Sensitive to Rejection
Anal 18 months - Bladder and Successful completion Anally Retentive
3 years sphincter muscles marked by potty training →Tidy
Defecation is main → Stubborn
focus of pleasure → In control, and in order
Anally Expulsive
→ Thoughtless
→ Messy
→Money generous
Phallic 3 years - 5 Genital Area Oedipus Complex Phallic Personality:
years (boys)* Narcissistic, reckless,
Electra Complex (girls)* homosexual?
Latency 6 years - Repressed Same-sex friend groups. –
Puberty
Genital Puberty - Genitals, but not to Healthy relations Difficulty forming
Adulthood same extent as development - adults IF heterosexual relationships if
phallic earlier stages are other stages are not correct.
negotiated correctly
Penis Envy in PHALLIC STAGE (3-6)
→ Girls hypothesised the desire to possess the male genital organ, but argued it represents
women’s envy of men’s superior social status.
Oedipus Complex in PHALLIC STAGE (3-6)
→ Sigmund Reud theory involving a boy in phallic stage becoming unconsciously sexually
attracted to mother and hostile towards dad (views as rival)
Castration Anxiety in PHALLIC STAGE (3-6)
→ Boys develop fear that fathers will castrate them as punishment for Oedipus Complex.
Fixation in ANY PSCYHOSEXUAL STAGE
→ Notion that a person's libido (sexual urge) has permanently invested in stage of
development. Conflict left unresolved leaves a child ‘stuck’ and carrying certain behaviours.
Electra Complex in PHALLIC STAGE (3-6)
→ Girl aged 3-6 develops unconscious sexual attractive feelings for her father and hostility
to mom, who she sees as a rival.
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