What do you need to know? Approaches in psychology Origins of psychology: Wundt, introspection and the emergence of psychology as a science. The basic assumptions of the following approaches: Learning approaches: the behaviourist approach, including classical conditioning and Pavlov’s research, operant conditioning, types of reinforcement and Skinner’s research; social learning theory including imitation, identification, modelling, vicarious reinforcement, the role of mediational processes and Bandura’s research. The cognitive approach: the study of internal mental processes, the role of schema, the use of theoretical and computer models to explain and make inferences about mental processes. The emergence of cognitive neuroscience. The biological approach: the influence of genes, biological structures and neurochemistry on behaviour. Genotype and phenotype, genetic basis of behaviour, evolution and behaviour.

Origins of psychology The emergence of psychology as a science: Psychology had its roots in philosophy and biology, but when German doctor and psychologist William Wundt opened the world's first experimental laboratory at the university of Leipzeg in1879, it marked a turning point: psychology's emergence as a separate and distinct scientific discipline. Wundt showed that empirical methods could be applied to the study of mental processes. Empirical methods of research are based on actual experience rather than on theory or belief. It involves gathering data in an objective way so that researchers’ preconceptions cannot influence the data. It also measures quantitative details so that patterns can be examined and inferences from the result are credible.

Origins of psychology - Wundt Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920) is generally considered the father of experimental psychology. After studying medicine, he worked as a physiologist at Heidelberg University and later at Leipzig University. While at Heidelberg, he delivered the first university course on scientific psychology and went on to write the first textbook on psychology, “Principles of Physiological Psychology” (Wundt, 1873-4). In 1875, at Leipzig University, he set up the first laboratory dedicated to experimental psychology. In doing so, he separated psychology from philosophy and biology and became the first person to be called a psychologist.

Introspection Introspection gained a new lease of life when the cognitive approach realised that it could give reliable insight into higher mental processes if controlled very carefully. Valuable inferences have been made from diary studies, where people have been asked to report specific details at regular intervals during a day or whenever a specific event such as forgetting a name takes place. Similarly, almost all laboratory experiments conducted within the cognitive approach involve some introspection, even if it is only reporting which words you remember from a list you have learned.

“Outline and evaluate the social learning theory approach” (12 marks)

Social learning approach plan AO1 AO3 Assumptions – we learn through experience Vicarious reinforcement (learning through consequence) Bandura’s research – what does this tell us about SLT? Mediational processes – cognitive factors in learning (ARRM) Attention (learning), retention (learning), motor reproduction (performance), motivation (performance) Identification Role models, modelling, factors which make someone more likely to be a role model + provides a deeper insight into cognitive factors in learning by recognising mediation processes involved in learning - over-reliance from lab studies, demand characteristics, artificial, lacks ecological validity - nature/nurture debate? Ignores biological factors in learning. Link to Bandura – could have been differences in hormones/bio factors which played a role.

“Outline and evaluate the behaviourist approach in psychology” (12 marks)

Behaviourist approach plan AO1 AO3 Assumptions beh. that can be observed/measured Relied on lab experiments Classical/operant conditioning Classical Conditioning Pavlov’s dogs, learning through association UCS, UCR, NS, UCR, CS, CR Operant conditioning Learning through consequence Positive/negative/punishment Skinner’s box + scientific credibility, due to nature of experiment easy replication, development of psychology as a scientific discipline + real life application – token economy systems (schools and prisons) treatment of phobias - Ethical issues using animals in research, ignores biological factors in learning

“Outline and evaluate the cognitive approach in psychology” (12 marks)

Cognitive approach plan AO1 AO3 Assumptions Internal mental processes can and should be studied scientifically Make inferences about behaviour about what’s going on inside people’s minds on the basis of their behaviour Theoretical and computer models Information processing approach, info flows through a cognitive system Computer models – similarities in the way info is processed The role of schema How we use schema to make sense of the world Respond to our environment quickly and efficiently. + highly controlled methods including experiments which produce highly reliable objective data + the emergence of cognitive neuroscience has enabled the two field of biology and cognitive psychology to come together to enable the study of the mind to have an established credible scientific basis +Comparing a human mind to a machine or computer is problematic, we have emotions and motivations involved in behaviour which the cognitive approach ignores

“Discuss the contribution of the biological approach to our understanding of human behaviour” (12 marks)

AO1 AO3 Assumptions Biological structures Genes Neurochemistry & nervous system Genetic basis of behaviour Twin studies MZ/DZ concordance rates Genotype and Phenotype Genotype – genetics Phenotype – way genes are expressed through physical, environmental Interaction between genes and environment Evolution & behaviour Natural selection Survival + scientific methods, twin studies, FRMRis, family studies enable us to accurately measure behaviour – based on reliable data + real life application, we can use our knowledge of the biological approach to treat serious mental illnesses such as depression. Determinist view of behaviour, behaviour is caused by internal, biological causes of which we have no control. Is this the case? Hard to separate nature/nurture e.g. twins.