Summary IB Psychology HL - Terminology

IB Psychology HL - Terminology Biological Approach to Understanding Behaviour - Psychologists taking the Biological Approach explain behaviour by examining physiological and evolutionary causes. They look for correlations between what is going on in our bodies with what we are doing. Using brain imaging technologies, these psychologists map the brain's structure and investigate how the brain and its billions of neural networks can change through experience. How hormones and neurotransmitters influence behaviour is another avenue of research. Other topics within this approach include how genes shape our individual lives and how evolution provides the broad contours of our journey through life. Biological psychologists have added tremendously to our understanding of people's thoughts and actions but they acknowledge biology cannot explain all of our behaviours. The content of the Biological Approach: - Techniques used to study the brain in relation to behaviour The localisation of brain function Neuroplasticity Neurotransmitters and their effect on behaviour Hormones and behaviour Pheromones and behaviour Genetics and Behaviour Genetic similarities Evolutionary explanations of behaviour The role of animal research in understanding human behaviour (HL only) Cognitive Approach to Understanding Behaviour - Instead of examining the brain or genes, cognitive psychologists explore mental processes, such as memory, attitudes, perceptions, attention and thinking. Cognitive psychologists examine how we process the information we receive through our senses, and how we represent and think about the world. Content of the Cognitive Approach - Models of memory and concepts related to memory processing Schema theory Thinking and decision-making Reconstructive memory Biases in thinking and decision-making The influence of emotion on cognitive processes Cognitive processing in the digital world (HL only) Sociocultural Approach to Understanding Behaviour - Psychologists taking the sociocultural approach assume that behaviour is best understood in its social and cultural context. Our lifelong interaction with family, friends and the wider world is the focus of investigations. In this way, you can see that the sociocultural approach moves away from the individual brain and mind to look at people as they affect and are affected by others. Our upbringing, our education, our geographical and historical context and how we interact with each other in daily social activities shape how we think and behave. Being a member of a larger group can affect individual behaviour and also the development of our identity. This approach does not dismiss biological and cognitive inputs into behaviour but sees them as just part of the larger picture. Content of the Sociocultural Approach - Social identity theory Social cognitive theory Stereotypes Culture and its influence on behaviour Cultural dimensions Enculturation Acculturation The influence of globalisation on individual attitudes, identities and behaviour (HL only) Abnormal Psychology - Abnormal Psychology builds upon your knowledge of Approaches to Research and the Core. You will analyse how insights generated by these approaches relate to the diagnosis, explanation and treatment of abnormal behaviour. There is no accepted definition of what makes an action abnormal, and factors such as social norms, changes over time and culture have influenced clinical definitions. The disputed nature of abnormality has important effects on diagnosis and treatment. To explore these issues, you will focus on the mood disorder of depression. Topics of Abnormal Psychology - Factors influencing diagnosis Aetiology of abnormal psychology (aetiology = the study of causes) Treatment of disorders Psychology of Human Relationships (HL only) - The Psychology of Human Relationships focuses on individuals in personal relationships or in groups. It also builds upon your understanding of Approaches to Research and the Core. Each approach contributes insights into relationships. For instance, the biological approach investigates the role hormones and genetics play in attraction. The cognitive approach investigates schema theory (schema theory = a theory about how the mind organises knowledge) on how we perceive the nature of relationships. Social psychologists have concentrated their investigations on beliefs, social identity theory and the role of culture. Improving relationships, promoting social responsibility and reducing violence are the prime applications of the knowledge generated. Topics of the Psychology of Human Relationships - Personal relationships Group dynamics Social responsibility Laboratory Experiment - This setting allows the investigator to control the environment to determine if a change in the Independent Variable (IV) causes a change in the Dependent Variable (DV). Are particularly useful when studying human brain processes when highly technical and accurate measurements can be taken. They allow the researcher to test a hypothesis, support a theory and apply that the theory to real life. confounding variables - Variables that interfere with the action of the IV on the DV Strengths of Laboratory Experiments - - cause and effect relationship estabilished - statistics used to analyse data - study can be replicated Limitations of Laboratory Experiments - - lacks ecological validity - demand characteristics can be confounding variable - internal validity low Field Experiments - As their name suggests, these experiments are conducted in a natural setting 'in