Emergence of Psychology

1900s Behaviourists
Introspection's value was questioned for its subjective data and difficulty to establish general laws. John. B Watson and Skinner proposed scientific psychology should observe objective and measurable stimuli only.

1950s Cognitive Approach
Cognitive psychologists compared the mind to a computer (MSM) and tested memory/ attention predictions with experiments. They ensured study of the mind was highly legitimate and scientific

1980s Biological Approach
Researchers in this area took advantage of scientific advancements in technology to investigate physiological processes. They use scanning techniques like fMRIs and EEGs to study live brain activity. Genetic testing also helps to understand the relationship with genes and behaviour

Assumptions
Believe all behaviour is learned and the mind is a 'blank slate'. They try to keep control and objectivity through lab studies. All basic processes are the same in all species

Classical Conditioning
Pavlov demonstrated learning through association with dogs. They were conditioned to salivate with a bell when given food. They soon associated the sound with food (associating the neutral stimulus with unconditioned stimulus creates a conditioned response)

Operant Conditioning
Shaped by consequences:
Positive Reinforcement - receiving a reward for performed behaviour
Negative Reinforcement - Avoiding a negative experience, making the outcome positive (both increase likelihood of behaviour)
Punishment - An unpleasant consequence of behaviour

Assumptions
SLT proposed people learn through observation and imitation of others. They can learn directly (conditioning) and indirectly

Vicarious Reinforcement
Learner may imitate a behaviour if its rewarded, not punished. The learner observers a behaviour and its consequences

Role of Mediational Processes
Attention - Noticing a behaviour
Retention - Remembering the behaviour
Motor Reproduction - Physically imitating the behaviour
Motivation - Waiting to perform the behaviour (depending on whether its rewarded or punished)

Identification
People are more likely to imitate people they identify with. The person they identify with is a role model and imitating them is modelling. A person becomes a role model if they have similar characteristics to the observer and have high status, but may not actually be physically present.

Assumptions
Argues internal mental processes should be studied scientifically. They study areas like memory, perception and thinking through inferences.

Role of Schema
Schema - 'Packages' of information developed through experience, act as a mental framework for info interpretation.
Babies have simple motor schema for innate behaviours like sucking/ grasping. Schema become more detailed over time and enable us to process lots of info quickly. They may distort interpretations of sensory info, leading to misinterpretation.

Theoretical and Computer Models
Psychologists use theoretical and computer models to understand mental processes. Information processing approach suggests info goes through the cognitive system in stages (Input, storage, retrieval - MSM) in the way computers function. These models help to develop thinking machines like AI

Assumptions
Suggests everything psychological is first biological - we look at biological structures and processes in the body. All behaviour has a physical basis

Neurochemical Basis of Behaviour
Many behaviours rely on chemical transmissions in the brain using neurotransmitters. Imbalance can cause mental disorders like OCD (serotonin) and Schizophrenia (dopamine)

Genetic Basis of Behaviour
Psychological characteristics (intelligence) are inherited same as biological. Twin studies used to investigate the genetic basis of characteristics with concordance rates. If it is genetic, MZ twins would have 100% concordance rate and DZ around 50%.

Role of the Unconscious
Freud stated the part of our mind we're aware of (conscious) is the 'tip of the iceberg'. Most of our mind is the unconscious - a store of biological drives/ instincts but also repressed disturbing memories. They can be accessed through dreams/ parapraxes. Our preconscious contains thoughts/ memories that we can actively access

Structure of the Personality
Described a a 'tripartite'
Id: Operates on pleasure principle - a mass of unconscious drives and instincts. The only one present at birth, demands instant gratification of needs
Ego: Works on reality principle - the mediator between the two. Develops around 2 to reduce conflict between Id and Superego demands with defence mechanisms
Superego: Based on morality principle - represents the moral standards of same gender parent and punishes ego for wrongdoing. Formed at end of phallic stage

Psychosexual Stages
Freud claimed child development had 5 stages (Oral, Anal, Phallic, Latency, Genital) marked by conflict the child must resolve to progress. Unresolved leads to fixation - they become stuck carrying out behaviours associated with the stage until adulthood

Defence Mechanisms
Ego struggles to balance Id and Superego demands so it has defence mechanisms to help ensure we aren't overwhelmed by threats/ trauma. May involve reality distortion. (Repression, Denial, Displacement)