AQA A-level Paper 2
Psychology Predictions
Wilhelm Wundt - AND- First Psychologist
- First Lab in Germany
- Experimental Conditions
- Structuralism and Introspection
Introspection - ANSPerson Gains knowledge about their mental state by examining
their conscious thoughts and feelings
Empiricism - ANSKnowledge is derived from sensory experience, characterised by
the use of the scientific method
Scientific Method - ANSThe investigative methods that are:
- Objective
- Systematic
- Reliable
Evaluation of Wundt - ANS- methods were unreliable as it relied on non-observable
- Introspection is not accurate because people are often unaware of are behaviours
Evaluation of the Scientific Approach - ANS- its objective and systematic
- Rely on determinism
- Self corrective
- Create non-naturalistic environments
- Human behaviour is not always observable to the rules of science
Classical Conditioning - ANSPavlov - When a neutral stimulus is consistently paired
with an unconditional stimulus so that it takes on the properties on the stimulus and
is able to produced a conditioned response
Classical Conditioning steps - ANSUCS -> UCR
NS -> No Response
UCS+NS -> UCR
,CS -> CR
Features of CC - ANS- If time interval is too great between conditioning it does not
work
- CR will become extinct in the absence of the UCS after a while
- If extinct and paired again they pair more quickly (Spontaneous Recovery)
- Stimulus generalisation, CR is created to things similar to CS
Operant Conditioning - ANSSkinner - Learning through reinforcement or
punishment, a behaviour is more likely if followed by a desirable concequence
Positive Reinforcement - ANSBehaviour Produces a response that is desirable
Negative Reinforcement - ANSDoing something to stop unpleasant response
Reinforcement - ANSStrengthening a response
Punishment - ANSAn unpleasant consequence following a behaviour
Features of Classical Conditioning - ANS- Scheduling reinforcement makes it
stronger
- Punishment
Evaluation of Classical Conditioning - ANS- Applications in treatment of phobias
- Animal Research cannot be generalised to humans because they have different
needs to learn
Evaluation of Operant Conditioning - ANS- Use of experimental method
- Animal Research cannot be generalised to humans
Modelling - ANSIndividuals learn behaviour be observing others
Imitation - ANSCopying a models behaviour
Identification - ANSIndividual adopts attitudes and behaviours of a model because
they want to be like them
Vicarious Reinforcement - ANSIndividuals learn about the likely consequences by
observing a model's experiences and adjust their behaviour to obtain the same
experience
The Role of the meditational Processes - ANSObserver forms a mental
representation pf the behaviour displayed of the model and the probable
consequences it will also happen to them
,Evaluation of Social Learning Theory - ANS- Applications in human behaviour
- research support (Bandura)
- Problems with causality, it may not be observing but rather people already have this
a try to find people similar
- Approach disregards other potential influences like gender
Bandura Procedures - ANSChildren were exposed to aggressive or non aggressive
models interacting with a bobo doll
Bandura Findings - ANSChildren who had aggressive models were aggressive to
the doll
Children who had non-aggressive models were not aggressive to the doll
Cognitive - ANSRefers to mental processes such as perception, memory and
reasoning
Schema - ANSA cognitive framework that helps us organise and interpret
information
Why are Schemas useful? - ANSThey help us make sense of new information by
filling in gaps
Theoretical Models - ANSPictorial representations of cognitive processes based on
research evidence
Computer Model - ANSComputer analogy of input process storage output to
represent the human cognitive
Cognitive Neuroscience - ANSnon-invasive imaging techniques such as PET and
fMRI scans to help psychologists understand how the brain works
PET - ANSPositron emission tomography
fMRI - ANSFunctional Magnetic Resonance imaging
Evaluation of the Cognitive Approach - ANS- Applications in social cognition,
dysfunctional behaviour
- Scientific
- Computer models are to simplistic for a human mind, and at the same time suggest
that we never forget or never make mistakes
- ignores emotion and motivation (tells us how not why)
, - Lack ecological validity
Biological Approach - ANSViews humans as biological organisms and provides
biological explanations for all psychological functioning
Genes - ANSA part of the chromosome that carries genetic information
Genotype - ANSThe genetic make-up of an individual
Phenotype - ANSThe observable characteristics of an individual
Evolution - ANSChange is genetic make-up of a population over time
NeuroChemistry - ANSHow chemical and neural processes associate with the
nervous system
Nervous System - ANSCentral Nervous System (brain and spinal cord) and the
Peripheral Nervous System (somatic and autonomous systems)
carries impulses around the body
The Brain - ANSCo-ordinates the functioning of the body
Frontal Lobes - ANSFunctions like speech, though and learning
Parietal Lobes - ANSProcesses sensory information like touch, temperature and
pain
Occipital lobes - ANSProcesses visual information
Temporal lobes - ANSInvolved with hearing and memory
Evaluation of the Biological Approach - ANS- Scientific
- Application into Neurochem, drug development and psychological rhythms
- Approach is reductionist (blames everything on one factor)
- Does not take into account cultrual factord
Iceberg analogy: - ANStip = conscious
just underwater = preconscious
deep underwater = unconcious
Concious - ANSReality, Conscious mind, thoughts
Psychology Predictions
Wilhelm Wundt - AND- First Psychologist
- First Lab in Germany
- Experimental Conditions
- Structuralism and Introspection
Introspection - ANSPerson Gains knowledge about their mental state by examining
their conscious thoughts and feelings
Empiricism - ANSKnowledge is derived from sensory experience, characterised by
the use of the scientific method
Scientific Method - ANSThe investigative methods that are:
- Objective
- Systematic
- Reliable
Evaluation of Wundt - ANS- methods were unreliable as it relied on non-observable
- Introspection is not accurate because people are often unaware of are behaviours
Evaluation of the Scientific Approach - ANS- its objective and systematic
- Rely on determinism
- Self corrective
- Create non-naturalistic environments
- Human behaviour is not always observable to the rules of science
Classical Conditioning - ANSPavlov - When a neutral stimulus is consistently paired
with an unconditional stimulus so that it takes on the properties on the stimulus and
is able to produced a conditioned response
Classical Conditioning steps - ANSUCS -> UCR
NS -> No Response
UCS+NS -> UCR
,CS -> CR
Features of CC - ANS- If time interval is too great between conditioning it does not
work
- CR will become extinct in the absence of the UCS after a while
- If extinct and paired again they pair more quickly (Spontaneous Recovery)
- Stimulus generalisation, CR is created to things similar to CS
Operant Conditioning - ANSSkinner - Learning through reinforcement or
punishment, a behaviour is more likely if followed by a desirable concequence
Positive Reinforcement - ANSBehaviour Produces a response that is desirable
Negative Reinforcement - ANSDoing something to stop unpleasant response
Reinforcement - ANSStrengthening a response
Punishment - ANSAn unpleasant consequence following a behaviour
Features of Classical Conditioning - ANS- Scheduling reinforcement makes it
stronger
- Punishment
Evaluation of Classical Conditioning - ANS- Applications in treatment of phobias
- Animal Research cannot be generalised to humans because they have different
needs to learn
Evaluation of Operant Conditioning - ANS- Use of experimental method
- Animal Research cannot be generalised to humans
Modelling - ANSIndividuals learn behaviour be observing others
Imitation - ANSCopying a models behaviour
Identification - ANSIndividual adopts attitudes and behaviours of a model because
they want to be like them
Vicarious Reinforcement - ANSIndividuals learn about the likely consequences by
observing a model's experiences and adjust their behaviour to obtain the same
experience
The Role of the meditational Processes - ANSObserver forms a mental
representation pf the behaviour displayed of the model and the probable
consequences it will also happen to them
,Evaluation of Social Learning Theory - ANS- Applications in human behaviour
- research support (Bandura)
- Problems with causality, it may not be observing but rather people already have this
a try to find people similar
- Approach disregards other potential influences like gender
Bandura Procedures - ANSChildren were exposed to aggressive or non aggressive
models interacting with a bobo doll
Bandura Findings - ANSChildren who had aggressive models were aggressive to
the doll
Children who had non-aggressive models were not aggressive to the doll
Cognitive - ANSRefers to mental processes such as perception, memory and
reasoning
Schema - ANSA cognitive framework that helps us organise and interpret
information
Why are Schemas useful? - ANSThey help us make sense of new information by
filling in gaps
Theoretical Models - ANSPictorial representations of cognitive processes based on
research evidence
Computer Model - ANSComputer analogy of input process storage output to
represent the human cognitive
Cognitive Neuroscience - ANSnon-invasive imaging techniques such as PET and
fMRI scans to help psychologists understand how the brain works
PET - ANSPositron emission tomography
fMRI - ANSFunctional Magnetic Resonance imaging
Evaluation of the Cognitive Approach - ANS- Applications in social cognition,
dysfunctional behaviour
- Scientific
- Computer models are to simplistic for a human mind, and at the same time suggest
that we never forget or never make mistakes
- ignores emotion and motivation (tells us how not why)
, - Lack ecological validity
Biological Approach - ANSViews humans as biological organisms and provides
biological explanations for all psychological functioning
Genes - ANSA part of the chromosome that carries genetic information
Genotype - ANSThe genetic make-up of an individual
Phenotype - ANSThe observable characteristics of an individual
Evolution - ANSChange is genetic make-up of a population over time
NeuroChemistry - ANSHow chemical and neural processes associate with the
nervous system
Nervous System - ANSCentral Nervous System (brain and spinal cord) and the
Peripheral Nervous System (somatic and autonomous systems)
carries impulses around the body
The Brain - ANSCo-ordinates the functioning of the body
Frontal Lobes - ANSFunctions like speech, though and learning
Parietal Lobes - ANSProcesses sensory information like touch, temperature and
pain
Occipital lobes - ANSProcesses visual information
Temporal lobes - ANSInvolved with hearing and memory
Evaluation of the Biological Approach - ANS- Scientific
- Application into Neurochem, drug development and psychological rhythms
- Approach is reductionist (blames everything on one factor)
- Does not take into account cultrual factord
Iceberg analogy: - ANStip = conscious
just underwater = preconscious
deep underwater = unconcious
Concious - ANSReality, Conscious mind, thoughts
