Social Learning Theory

Social Learning Theory extends behaviorism by incorporating observational learning and cognitive processes. This approach emphasizes the importance of role models and indirect learning experiences.

Definition: Mediational processes are mental steps between observation and behavior reproduction.

Example: Learning occurs through watching others' actions and their consequences.

Highlight: The four mediational processes are attention, retention, motor reproduction, and motivation.

Biological Approach

The biological approach emphasizes physical and genetic factors in explaining behavior.

Definition: Genetic inheritance involves receiving genetic material from both parents.

Highlight: Behavior is explained through physical causes including neural and hormonal factors.

Example: Chemical imbalances and brain structure influence behavior patterns.

Psychodynamic Approach

The psychodynamic perspective emphasizes unconscious influences on behavior and personality development.

Definition: Psychic determinism suggests all behavior has unconscious causes.

Example: The ego mediates between the id's desires and superego's moral constraints.

Highlight: Childhood experiences significantly impact adult personality development.

Origins of Psychology

The foundations of modern psychology can be traced back to early philosophical and scientific influences. This page explores the key contributors and concepts that shaped the field of psychology as we know it today.

Highlight: Wilhelm Wundt is considered the father of modern psychology, establishing the first psychology laboratory and developing structuralism.

Early Influences: The development of psychology was influenced by several key thinkers:

1. Rene Descartes introduced the concept of Cartesian dualism, proposing that the mind and body are separate entities.
2. John Locke developed the idea of empiricism, suggesting that all knowledge is derived from sensory experience.
3. Charles Darwin's evolutionary theories provided a framework for understanding human behavior in relation to adaptation and survival.

Structuralism and Wilhelm Wundt: Wilhelm Wundt made significant contributions to the field of psychology:

Definition: Structuralism is an approach that attempts to understand the structure of the human mind by breaking down behaviors into basic elements.

Wundt's contributions include:

• Opening the first laboratory dedicated to scientific psychological inquiry under controlled conditions.
• Focusing on understanding psychological processes of perception and structuralism rather than philosophical or biological processes.

Introspection:

Definition: Introspection is a systematic analysis of one's own conscious experience, where an individual records their conscious thoughts and breaks them down into component parts.

Characteristics of introspection:

• Still used today in cognitive research and therapy
• Conducted using standardized instructions and procedures for reliability
• Criticized for subjectivity and potential demand characteristics

Psychology as a Science: John B. Watson argued for a more scientific approach to psychology:

• Emphasized studying observable and measurable behavior
• Promoted the use of laboratory experiments
• Technological advances like fMRI and PET scans have enhanced psychological research

Vocabulary: fMRI (functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging) and PET (Positron Emission Tomography) are brain scanning techniques used in modern psychological research.

Major Psychological Approaches: The document introduces six major approaches in psychology:

1. Behaviourism
2. Social learning theory
3. Cognitive approach
4. Biological approach
5. Psychodynamic approach
6. Humanistic approach