PSYCHOLOGY
Approaches and biopsychology
Origins of Psychology
Wundt and introspection
Wilheim wundt first attempted to make psychology scientific. He set up the first lab for
psychological investigations. He wanted to separate psychology from philosophy and use
more structure and science.
Introspection is the analysis of one's own thoughts and feelings internally.he encouraged
them to focus on their thoughts and images in response to a ticking metronome or object.
Ps used self report.
Introspections were recorded under strictly controlled conditions. Same standardised
instructions were given=can be repeated.
AO3
Research was not specific-behaviourists said that thoughts that were self-reported are not
observable and difficult to measure and are subjective.The only way to make it objective
and scientific is if it can be measured and observable.
Start of cognitive psychology as it measures what in the mind using scientific
methods.question if cp would exist without wundt=influential
1
,AO1: After Introspection: The Emergence of Psychology as
a Science
1900s-behaviourists studied things that can be measured and observed
scientific method used to investigate:
Objective-unbiased
Replicable-
Controlled-conditions
predictable-future
1950s-cognitive psychology,mental processes as scientific,make inferences as it cannot be
observed
1980-tech=brain scans to investigate brain activity.genetic testing between genes and
behaviour
AO3: Evaluation of the Emergence of Psychology as a Science
Modern psychology as scientific-psychology has the same aim as natural
sciences(describe,understand,predict,control).using lab studies
Data is subjective-the humanistic approach rejects science and focuses on individual
experiences.demand characteristics are present in human research.
2
, The Learning Approach: The Behaviourist Approach
AO! assumptions-We are born as a blank slate, behaviour is learnt through interactions
with environment
Behaviourists reject introspection, and only measure what is observable.eg labs
The use of animal studies for learning applied to humans, classical and operant
conditioning
AO1: Theory 1: Classical Conditioning – Pavlov
What responses are learnt through interacting with environment
classical conditioning is learning through association
UCS-UCR
UCS+NS-UCR
CS-CR
Timing-associations only occur if they are presented at the same time
Stimulus generalisation-once animal has been conditioned it respond to other similar
stimulus
Extinction-of conditioned stimulus is not paired with food , the conditioned response does
not occur and the behaviour disappears.
AO1: Theory 2: Operant Conditioning - Skinner
Skinner-learning through consequences
Positive reinforcement -rewarded for doing something good=behaviour repeated
3
Approaches and biopsychology
Origins of Psychology
Wundt and introspection
Wilheim wundt first attempted to make psychology scientific. He set up the first lab for
psychological investigations. He wanted to separate psychology from philosophy and use
more structure and science.
Introspection is the analysis of one's own thoughts and feelings internally.he encouraged
them to focus on their thoughts and images in response to a ticking metronome or object.
Ps used self report.
Introspections were recorded under strictly controlled conditions. Same standardised
instructions were given=can be repeated.
AO3
Research was not specific-behaviourists said that thoughts that were self-reported are not
observable and difficult to measure and are subjective.The only way to make it objective
and scientific is if it can be measured and observable.
Start of cognitive psychology as it measures what in the mind using scientific
methods.question if cp would exist without wundt=influential
1
,AO1: After Introspection: The Emergence of Psychology as
a Science
1900s-behaviourists studied things that can be measured and observed
scientific method used to investigate:
Objective-unbiased
Replicable-
Controlled-conditions
predictable-future
1950s-cognitive psychology,mental processes as scientific,make inferences as it cannot be
observed
1980-tech=brain scans to investigate brain activity.genetic testing between genes and
behaviour
AO3: Evaluation of the Emergence of Psychology as a Science
Modern psychology as scientific-psychology has the same aim as natural
sciences(describe,understand,predict,control).using lab studies
Data is subjective-the humanistic approach rejects science and focuses on individual
experiences.demand characteristics are present in human research.
2
, The Learning Approach: The Behaviourist Approach
AO! assumptions-We are born as a blank slate, behaviour is learnt through interactions
with environment
Behaviourists reject introspection, and only measure what is observable.eg labs
The use of animal studies for learning applied to humans, classical and operant
conditioning
AO1: Theory 1: Classical Conditioning – Pavlov
What responses are learnt through interacting with environment
classical conditioning is learning through association
UCS-UCR
UCS+NS-UCR
CS-CR
Timing-associations only occur if they are presented at the same time
Stimulus generalisation-once animal has been conditioned it respond to other similar
stimulus
Extinction-of conditioned stimulus is not paired with food , the conditioned response does
not occur and the behaviour disappears.
AO1: Theory 2: Operant Conditioning - Skinner
Skinner-learning through consequences
Positive reinforcement -rewarded for doing something good=behaviour repeated
3
