1. Origins of Psychology
● Wundt (1879): Opened first psychology lab in Leipzig. Studied human
consciousness using introspection(examining own thoughts/feelings).
● Scientific approach: Wundt’s work marked psychology’s transition from
philosophy → science.
Evaluation (AO3):
✅ Controlled methods (standardised instructions, lab setting).
❌ Introspection = subjective, low reliability.
❌ Early methods lacked accuracy (no brain scans).
2. Behaviourist Approach
● Assumptions: Behaviour is learned through environment; focus on observable
behaviour.
● Classical Conditioning (Pavlov, 1927): Learning via association (dogs salivating to
bell).
● Operant Conditioning (Skinner, 1953): Learning via consequences:
○ Positive reinforcement (reward).
○ Negative reinforcement (remove unpleasant stimulus).
○ Punishment (decreases behaviour).
Evaluation (AO3):
✅ Scientific, objective methods.
✅ Real-life applications (token economies, treatments for phobias).
❌ Environmental determinism (ignores free will).
❌ Animal research → limited generalisation to humans.
3. Social Learning Theory (Bandura, 1961)
● Assumptions: Learning via observation + imitation of role models.
● Vicarious reinforcement: We learn by observing consequences of others’ actions.
● Mediational processes: Attention, Retention, Reproduction, Motivation (ARRM).
Evaluation (AO3):
✅ Acknowledges cognitive factors (more complete than behaviourism).
✅ Evidence: Bandura’s Bobo doll experiment (children imitated aggressive
models).
❌ Demand characteristics in lab studies.
❌ Underestimates biological influences (e.g., hormones like testosterone).
4. Cognitive Approach
● Wundt (1879): Opened first psychology lab in Leipzig. Studied human
consciousness using introspection(examining own thoughts/feelings).
● Scientific approach: Wundt’s work marked psychology’s transition from
philosophy → science.
Evaluation (AO3):
✅ Controlled methods (standardised instructions, lab setting).
❌ Introspection = subjective, low reliability.
❌ Early methods lacked accuracy (no brain scans).
2. Behaviourist Approach
● Assumptions: Behaviour is learned through environment; focus on observable
behaviour.
● Classical Conditioning (Pavlov, 1927): Learning via association (dogs salivating to
bell).
● Operant Conditioning (Skinner, 1953): Learning via consequences:
○ Positive reinforcement (reward).
○ Negative reinforcement (remove unpleasant stimulus).
○ Punishment (decreases behaviour).
Evaluation (AO3):
✅ Scientific, objective methods.
✅ Real-life applications (token economies, treatments for phobias).
❌ Environmental determinism (ignores free will).
❌ Animal research → limited generalisation to humans.
3. Social Learning Theory (Bandura, 1961)
● Assumptions: Learning via observation + imitation of role models.
● Vicarious reinforcement: We learn by observing consequences of others’ actions.
● Mediational processes: Attention, Retention, Reproduction, Motivation (ARRM).
Evaluation (AO3):
✅ Acknowledges cognitive factors (more complete than behaviourism).
✅ Evidence: Bandura’s Bobo doll experiment (children imitated aggressive
models).
❌ Demand characteristics in lab studies.
❌ Underestimates biological influences (e.g., hormones like testosterone).
4. Cognitive Approach
