Approaches in Psychology
Learning approaches
behaviourist approach
interested in studying behaviour that can be observed and measured, not internal mental processes
Watson rejected introspection because concepts of conscious were too vague to measure
Used lab studies when control and objectivity can be maintained
all behaviour is learned, a babies mind is a 'blank slate' and basic processes that are apparent in humans are apparent in all species so studies are based around animals eg Pavlov and Skinners research
classical conditioning
operant conditioning
learning through association. Pavlov showed how dogs could salivate to the sound of a bell if conditioned if that sound was repeatedly played when food presented (NS has become CR through association
Skinner suggested that humans and animals operate on their environment where they learn through consequences
positive reinforcement- receiving reward when behaviour performed, negative reinforcement- avoid something unpleasant and the outcome is positive
positive punishment- gaining something negative due to behaviour eg a slap, negative punishment- losing something positive due to behaviour eg phone
Social learning theory
Bandura argued that people learn through observation and imitation, he argues that conditioning can happen through watching the direct conditioning of someone else for example
people, especially children, are likely to imitate people they identify with, this is called identification. This person is called the role model and the process of imitation and the behaviour of the role model is called modelling
people become role models if they have similar characteristics to the observer, are more attractive and/or have a high status
Mediational processes (Bandura)
Vicarious reinforcement
reinforcement that is not directly experienced but occurs through observing someone else being reinforced for a behaviour. This is a key factor in imitation
Bridge between behaviourist approach and cognitive as focuses on mental processes and how they are involved in learning
Attention, Retention, Motor reproduction, Motivation
Banduras research
Recorded behaviour of children who watched an adult behave in an aggressive way towards a Bobo doll. When later observed, the children were seeing playing aggressive with the Bobo doll and other toys than a control group who did not observe adults aggressive behaviour
Bandura and Walters showed videos to children of adults being aggressive towards a Bobo doll, in one video they were seen being praised for their behaviour and a second group saw them being told off and a third group saw aggression with no consequence. The first group showed the most aggression, then third, then second.
Cognitive approach
internal mental processes can be studied scientifically. They study areas behaviourists ignored such as memory, perception and thinking
'Private' operations of the mind such as perception and attention that mediate between stimulus and response
Private meaning they cannot be studied and so cognitive psychologists make 'inferences' (draw conclusions on the basis of observed behaviour) about what is going on in peoples minds
Role of Schema
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