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AQA Psychology Paper 2 Notes with Evaluations PDF Free - Psychodynamic & Humanistic

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AQA Psychology Paper 2 Notes with Evaluations PDF Free - Psychodynamic & Humanistic
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Origins of Psychology and Learning Approaches comprehensively covers fundamental psychological concepts, from Wundt's pioneering work to modern theoretical frameworks. This essential AQA Psychology A Level resource explores behaviorism, cognitive psychology, biological bases, psychodynamic theory, and humanistic approaches.

Key aspects include:

  • Detailed examination of Wundt's introspection methodology and psychology's scientific emergence
  • In-depth coverage of behavioral conditioning theories
  • Comprehensive analysis of cognitive, biological, and psychodynamic approaches
  • Thorough exploration of humanistic psychology principles
  • Critical evaluation of each theoretical framework

20/05/2023

5578

Unit 2 Approaches Origins of Psychology: Wundt • Introspection The emergence of Psychology as a science. Learning Approaches: The Behaviouri

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Origins of Psychology: Wundt and Introspection

Wilhelm Wundt, often regarded as the father of modern psychology, played a pivotal role in establishing psychology as a distinct scientific discipline. This page delves into Wundt's contributions and the concept of introspection, which was central to his approach.

Wundt's groundbreaking work included writing the first psychology textbook and opening the first psychology laboratory in Leipzig, Germany, in 1879. His methods focused on using scientific approaches to study the structure of sensation and perception, particularly through the use of introspection.

Definition: Introspection refers to the systematic process of observing and examining one's own conscious thoughts or emotions in response to stimuli.

Wundt's approach to introspection was highly controlled and scientific. He trained observers to describe their mental experiences in response to carefully controlled sensory events. This method aimed to break down experiences into their component parts, such as sensations and emotional reactions.

Highlight: Wundt's work was instrumental in establishing psychology as a separate scientific discipline, distinct from philosophy and physiology.

Vocabulary: Empiricism - the belief that all knowledge of reality is gained from sensory experience.

The page also touches on key terms essential for understanding the origins of psychology and learning approaches in AQA, including psychology, science, introspection, empiricism, and inference.

Unit 2 Approaches Origins of Psychology: Wundt • Introspection The emergence of Psychology as a science. Learning Approaches: The Behaviouri

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Evaluation of Introspection

This page provides a critical evaluation of Wundt's introspection method, highlighting both its strengths and limitations. This analysis is crucial for students studying approaches in Psychology AQA A level.

Wundt's approach to introspection was characterized by its highly controlled procedure. Unlike earlier philosophical uses of introspection, Wundt implemented strict controls on the environment, stimuli, and participant responses. This methodical approach aimed to produce more reliable and replicable results.

Example: Wundt's laboratory experiments involved presenting participants with carefully controlled sensory events and asking them to describe their mental experiences in detail.

However, the scientific validity of introspection has been questioned. Critics argue that introspection does not adhere to the scientific method, as it relies on subjective experiences that are difficult to verify or replicate. This limitation led to the rise of behaviorism, which emphasized observable behaviors over internal mental states.

Highlight: The challenges faced by introspection as a method paved the way for the dominance of behaviorism in psychology for many years.

Despite its limitations, introspection has had a lasting impact on psychology. Modern research still uses modified forms of introspection, particularly in studying emotions and subjective experiences. Wundt's introduction of scientific methods to psychology has influenced various approaches, including behaviorist and biological perspectives.

Quote: "Wundt's work and Introspection has been influential in many Psychological domains and has not been entirely abandoned."

This evaluation provides students with a balanced view of introspection's role in the history of psychology, essential for answering exam questions on the origins of psychology AQA A Level.

Unit 2 Approaches Origins of Psychology: Wundt • Introspection The emergence of Psychology as a science. Learning Approaches: The Behaviouri

View

The Behaviourist Approach: Classical Conditioning

This page introduces the behaviourist approach, focusing on classical conditioning and Pavlov's research. This information is crucial for students studying learning approaches in AQA psychology.

Classical conditioning, a fundamental concept in behaviorism, is explained through Pavlov's famous experiments with dogs. The process involves learning through association, where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a meaningful stimulus to elicit a similar response.

Definition: Classical conditioning is a learning process that occurs through associations between an environmental stimulus and a naturally occurring stimulus.

The page details the key components of classical conditioning:

  • Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS): A stimulus that naturally triggers a response
  • Unconditioned Response (UCR): The natural response to the UCS
  • Neutral Stimulus (NS): A stimulus that initially does not elicit a response
  • Conditioned Stimulus (CS): The previously neutral stimulus that, after conditioning, elicits a response
  • Conditioned Response (CR): The learned response to the CS

Example: In Pavlov's experiments, the sound of a bell (NS) was paired with food (UCS) to eventually elicit salivation (CR) in dogs even without the presence of food.

The page also discusses the processes of acquisition, extinction, spontaneous recovery, stimulus generalization, and discrimination in classical conditioning. These concepts are essential for understanding how learned behaviors can be formed, weakened, or strengthened over time.

Highlight: Classical conditioning has wide-ranging applications, from explaining phobias to influencing advertising strategies.

This detailed explanation of classical conditioning provides students with a solid foundation for understanding behaviorist principles, crucial for AQA Psychology A Level past papers and exam preparation.

Unit 2 Approaches Origins of Psychology: Wundt • Introspection The emergence of Psychology as a science. Learning Approaches: The Behaviouri

View

Operant Conditioning and Skinner's Research

This page delves into operant conditioning, another key concept in the behaviourist approach, and Skinner's influential research. This information is essential for students studying learning approaches in AQA psychology.

Operant conditioning, developed by B.F. Skinner, focuses on how consequences shape behavior. Unlike classical conditioning, which deals with involuntary responses, operant conditioning involves voluntary behaviors.

Definition: Operant conditioning is a method of learning that occurs through rewards and punishments for behavior.

The page explains the key components of operant conditioning:

  • Reinforcement: Consequences that increase the likelihood of a behavior recurring
  • Punishment: Consequences that decrease the likelihood of a behavior recurring

Types of reinforcement are detailed:

  1. Positive Reinforcement: Adding a desirable stimulus
  2. Negative Reinforcement: Removing an aversive stimulus
  3. Positive Punishment: Adding an aversive stimulus
  4. Negative Punishment: Removing a desirable stimulus

Example: A child receiving praise (positive reinforcement) for good behavior is more likely to repeat that behavior in the future.

Skinner's research, particularly his work with the "Skinner Box," is discussed. This apparatus allowed Skinner to study animal behavior in a controlled environment, leading to the development of his theories on operant conditioning.

Highlight: Skinner's work has had significant implications for understanding human behavior and has been applied in various fields, including education and therapy.

The page also covers schedules of reinforcement, explaining how the timing and frequency of reinforcement can affect behavior:

  • Continuous Reinforcement
  • Fixed Ratio Schedule
  • Variable Ratio Schedule
  • Fixed Interval Schedule
  • Variable Interval Schedule

This comprehensive overview of operant conditioning provides students with a thorough understanding of behaviorist principles, crucial for AQA A Level Psychology notes and exam preparation.

Unit 2 Approaches Origins of Psychology: Wundt • Introspection The emergence of Psychology as a science. Learning Approaches: The Behaviouri

View

Social Learning Theory

This page introduces Social Learning Theory (SLT), a significant development in learning approaches that bridges behaviorism and cognitive psychology. This theory is crucial for students studying approaches in Psychology AQA A level.

Social Learning Theory, primarily developed by Albert Bandura, proposes that people can learn new behaviors through observation of others. This theory expands on behaviorist principles by incorporating cognitive processes.

Definition: Social Learning Theory suggests that learning occurs through observation, imitation, and modeling of others' behavior.

Key concepts of Social Learning Theory are explained:

  1. Imitation: The direct copying of observed behavior
  2. Identification: Adopting observed behaviors to become more like the model
  3. Modeling: The process of demonstrating behavior for others to observe and imitate
  4. Vicarious Reinforcement: Learning from observing the consequences of others' actions

Example: A child learning to tie shoelaces by watching and imitating a parent demonstrates social learning.

The role of mediational processes in social learning is emphasized. These cognitive processes include:

  • Attention: Focusing on the model's behavior
  • Retention: Remembering the observed behavior
  • Reproduction: Ability to perform the observed behavior
  • Motivation: Having a reason to imitate the behavior

Highlight: Bandura's famous Bobo doll experiment demonstrated how children could learn aggressive behaviors through observation alone.

The page also discusses Bandura's research, particularly the Bobo doll studies, which provided empirical support for Social Learning Theory. These experiments showed how children could acquire new behaviors simply by watching adults, even without direct reinforcement.

This comprehensive overview of Social Learning Theory provides students with a deeper understanding of how social factors influence learning and behavior, essential for answering exam questions on learning approaches in AQA psychology.

Unit 2 Approaches Origins of Psychology: Wundt • Introspection The emergence of Psychology as a science. Learning Approaches: The Behaviouri

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The Cognitive Approach

This page introduces the cognitive approach in psychology, which focuses on internal mental processes. This information is crucial for students studying approaches in Psychology AQA A level.

The cognitive approach emerged as a reaction to behaviorism, shifting focus from observable behavior to the study of mental processes such as thinking, problem-solving, and memory.

Definition: The cognitive approach in psychology studies internal mental processes, including perception, thinking, memory, and problem-solving.

Key aspects of the cognitive approach are explained:

  1. The role of schema: Mental frameworks that help organize and interpret information
  2. Use of theoretical models: Conceptual representations of cognitive processes
  3. Computer models: Simulations used to understand and predict cognitive functions
  4. Emergence of cognitive neuroscience: Combining cognitive psychology with neuroscience to understand brain-behavior relationships

Example: The use of the computer analogy in cognitive psychology, where the brain is likened to a computer processing information.

The page emphasizes the importance of information processing in cognitive psychology. This approach views the mind as a system that processes information, similar to how a computer operates.

Highlight: The cognitive approach has significantly influenced various fields, including education, artificial intelligence, and clinical psychology.

The emergence of cognitive neuroscience is discussed, highlighting how advances in brain imaging techniques have allowed researchers to study the neural basis of cognitive processes.

Vocabulary: Cognitive neuroscience - the scientific study of the biological processes and aspects that underlie cognition, with a specific focus on the neural connections in the brain which are involved in mental processes.

This overview of the cognitive approach provides students with a comprehensive understanding of how psychologists study mental processes, essential for AQA Psychology A Level past papers and exam preparation.

Unit 2 Approaches Origins of Psychology: Wundt • Introspection The emergence of Psychology as a science. Learning Approaches: The Behaviouri

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The Biological Approach

This page delves into the biological approach in psychology, which emphasizes the role of biological factors in behavior and mental processes. This information is crucial for students studying approaches in Psychology AQA A level.

The biological approach suggests that behavior and experiences are the result of biological processes, including genetics, hormones, and brain structure and function.

Definition: The biological approach in psychology focuses on how biological factors such as genes, brain structure, and neurochemistry influence behavior and mental processes.

Key aspects of the biological approach are explained:

  1. Evolution and behavior: How evolutionary processes have shaped human behavior
  2. Genetic basis of behavior: The role of genes in influencing personality traits and behaviors
  3. Biological structures: The impact of brain structure and nervous system on behavior
  4. Neurochemistry: The influence of neurotransmitters and hormones on mental states and behavior

Vocabulary:

  • Genotype: The genetic makeup of an organism
  • Phenotype: The observable characteristics resulting from the interaction of genotype and environment

The page discusses the concept of evolution in relation to behavior, explaining how certain behaviors may have evolved because they increased chances of survival and reproduction.

Example: The fight-or-flight response as an evolutionary adaptation that helped our ancestors survive threats.

The role of genetics in behavior is explored, including the concepts of genotype and phenotype. The page explains how genes can influence behavior directly or through interaction with environmental factors.

Highlight: Twin studies and adoption studies have been crucial in understanding the relative contributions of genes and environment to behavior.

The importance of biological structures, particularly the brain and nervous system, is emphasized. The page explains how different brain regions are associated with specific functions and how damage to these areas can affect behavior.

Lastly, the role of neurochemistry is discussed, focusing on how neurotransmitters and hormones influence mood, cognition, and behavior.

This comprehensive overview of the biological approach provides students with a solid understanding of how biological factors influence psychology, essential for AQA A Level Psychology notes and exam preparation.

Unit 2 Approaches Origins of Psychology: Wundt • Introspection The emergence of Psychology as a science. Learning Approaches: The Behaviouri

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The Psychodynamic Approach

This page introduces the psychodynamic approach in psychology, primarily developed by Sigmund Freud. This information is crucial for students studying approaches in Psychology AQA A level and preparing for exams on psychodynamic theory.

The psychodynamic approach emphasizes the role of unconscious mental processes in shaping behavior and personality. It suggests that our actions are influenced by hidden motives and conflicts of which we are not aware.

Definition: The psychodynamic approach in psychology focuses on unconscious mental processes and childhood experiences as key factors in shaping personality and behavior.

Key aspects of the psychodynamic approach are explained:

  1. The role of the unconscious: The idea that much of our behavior is driven by unconscious thoughts and desires
  2. Structure of personality: Freud's concept of Id, Ego, and Superego
  3. Defence mechanisms: Unconscious strategies used to reduce anxiety and protect the ego
  4. Psychosexual stages: Freud's theory of personality development

Vocabulary:

  • Id: The primitive and instinctual part of the mind
  • Ego: The realistic part that mediates between the desires of the id and the super-ego
  • Superego: The moral component of personality

The page discusses Freud's theory of the unconscious mind, explaining how repressed thoughts and memories can influence behavior without conscious awareness.

Example: A person with a fear of dogs may have repressed a childhood memory of being bitten by a dog.

Freud's structural model of the psyche (Id, Ego, Superego) is explained in detail, showing how these three components interact to shape personality and behavior.

Highlight: The concept of defense mechanisms, such as repression, denial, and displacement, is crucial to understanding how individuals cope with anxiety and conflict in the psychodynamic approach.

The psychosexual stages of development (oral, anal, phallic, latency, and genital) are outlined, explaining how Freud believed early childhood experiences shape adult personality.

This comprehensive overview of the psychodynamic approach provides students with a deep understanding of Freud's theories and their impact on psychology, essential for answering exam questions on psychodynamic and humanistic approaches comparison.

Unit 2 Approaches Origins of Psychology: Wundt • Introspection The emergence of Psychology as a science. Learning Approaches: The Behaviouri

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Humanistic Psychology

This page introduces humanistic psychology, a perspective that emphasizes individual potential and self-actualization. This information is crucial for students studying approaches in Psychology AQA A level and preparing for exams on humanistic approaches.

Humanistic psychology emerged as a reaction to both psychoanalysis and behaviorism, focusing on the inherent goodness of people and their drive towards self-actualization.

Definition: Humanistic psychology is an approach that emphasizes an individual's inherent drive towards self-actualization and personal growth.

Key aspects of humanistic psychology are explained:

  1. Free will: The belief that individuals have the ability to make choices and control their own destiny
  2. Self-actualization: The idea that people strive to reach their full potential
  3. Maslow's hierarchy of needs: A theory of motivation based on a hierarchy of human needs
  4. The Self and congruence: Rogers' concept of the ideal self versus the actual self
  5. Conditions of worth: How external values and expectations can affect self-concept

Vocabulary:

  • Self-actualization: The full realization of one's potential
  • Congruence: The state of being in which a person's ideal self and actual experience are consistent or very similar

The page discusses Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs, explaining how basic needs must be met before higher-level needs can be addressed.

Example: According to Maslow's hierarchy, a person struggling with food insecurity (a basic need) would find it difficult to focus on self-actualization.

Carl Rogers' person-centered approach is explained, focusing on the concepts of the self, congruence, and unconditional positive regard.

Highlight: The humanistic approach has significantly influenced counseling psychology, emphasizing the importance of empathy and unconditional positive regard in therapeutic relationships.

The role of conditions of worth is discussed, explaining how external expectations and values can shape an individual's self-concept and behavior.

This comprehensive overview of humanistic psychology provides students with a deep understanding of its key principles and their applications, essential for answering exam questions on psychodynamic and humanistic approaches comparison and understanding the similarities between psychodynamic and person-centred approach.

Unit 2 Approaches Origins of Psychology: Wundt • Introspection The emergence of Psychology as a science. Learning Approaches: The Behaviouri

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Comparison of Approaches

This page provides a comprehensive comparison of the major psychological approaches covered in the AQA Psychology Paper 2 notes with evaluations PDF. This comparison is crucial for students preparing for exams and looking to understand the differences between psychodynamic and humanistic approaches.

The page presents a detailed table comparing the following approaches:

  1. Behaviorist
  2. Social Learning Theory
  3. Cognitive
  4. Biological
  5. Psychodynamic
  6. Humanistic

For each approach, the following aspects are compared:

  • Key assumptions
  • Methods used
  • Key studies
  • Strengths
  • Weaknesses

Highlight: Understanding the similarities and differences between these approaches is essential for developing a critical perspective in psychology.

The comparison reveals how each approach offers a unique perspective on human behavior and mental processes:

  • The behaviorist approach focuses on observable behavior and environmental influences.
  • Social Learning Theory bridges behaviorism and cognitive psychology by emphasizing observational learning.
  • The cognitive approach concentrates on internal mental processes and information processing.
  • The biological approach emphasizes the role of genetics, brain structure, and neurochemistry.
  • The psychodynamic approach focuses on unconscious processes and early childhood experiences.
  • The humanistic approach emphasizes individual potential and self-actualization.

Example: While the psychodynamic approach might explain a phobia as a result of repressed childhood trauma, the behaviorist approach would view it as a learned response to environmental stimuli.

The page also discusses how these approaches can complement each other, providing a more comprehensive understanding of human psychology.

Vocabulary: Eclectic approach - combining elements from different psychological theories and methods.

This comparison helps students develop a nuanced understanding of psychological theories, essential for answering exam questions that require critical analysis and evaluation of different approaches.

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Subjects

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Psychology

AQA Psychology Paper 2 Notes with Evaluations PDF Free - Psychodynamic & Humanistic

user profile picture

Nia

@nia_pfkb

·

147 Followers

Follow

Origins of Psychology and Learning Approaches comprehensively covers fundamental psychological concepts, from Wundt's pioneering work to modern theoretical frameworks. This essential AQA Psychology A Level resource explores behaviorism, cognitive psychology, biological bases, psychodynamic theory, and humanistic approaches.

Key aspects include:

  • Detailed examination of Wundt's introspection methodology and psychology's scientific emergence
  • In-depth coverage of behavioral conditioning theories
  • Comprehensive analysis of cognitive, biological, and psychodynamic approaches
  • Thorough exploration of humanistic psychology principles
  • Critical evaluation of each theoretical framework

20/05/2023

5578

 

12/13

 

Psychology

344

Unit 2 Approaches Origins of Psychology: Wundt • Introspection The emergence of Psychology as a science. Learning Approaches: The Behaviouri

Origins of Psychology: Wundt and Introspection

Wilhelm Wundt, often regarded as the father of modern psychology, played a pivotal role in establishing psychology as a distinct scientific discipline. This page delves into Wundt's contributions and the concept of introspection, which was central to his approach.

Wundt's groundbreaking work included writing the first psychology textbook and opening the first psychology laboratory in Leipzig, Germany, in 1879. His methods focused on using scientific approaches to study the structure of sensation and perception, particularly through the use of introspection.

Definition: Introspection refers to the systematic process of observing and examining one's own conscious thoughts or emotions in response to stimuli.

Wundt's approach to introspection was highly controlled and scientific. He trained observers to describe their mental experiences in response to carefully controlled sensory events. This method aimed to break down experiences into their component parts, such as sensations and emotional reactions.

Highlight: Wundt's work was instrumental in establishing psychology as a separate scientific discipline, distinct from philosophy and physiology.

Vocabulary: Empiricism - the belief that all knowledge of reality is gained from sensory experience.

The page also touches on key terms essential for understanding the origins of psychology and learning approaches in AQA, including psychology, science, introspection, empiricism, and inference.

Unit 2 Approaches Origins of Psychology: Wundt • Introspection The emergence of Psychology as a science. Learning Approaches: The Behaviouri

Evaluation of Introspection

This page provides a critical evaluation of Wundt's introspection method, highlighting both its strengths and limitations. This analysis is crucial for students studying approaches in Psychology AQA A level.

Wundt's approach to introspection was characterized by its highly controlled procedure. Unlike earlier philosophical uses of introspection, Wundt implemented strict controls on the environment, stimuli, and participant responses. This methodical approach aimed to produce more reliable and replicable results.

Example: Wundt's laboratory experiments involved presenting participants with carefully controlled sensory events and asking them to describe their mental experiences in detail.

However, the scientific validity of introspection has been questioned. Critics argue that introspection does not adhere to the scientific method, as it relies on subjective experiences that are difficult to verify or replicate. This limitation led to the rise of behaviorism, which emphasized observable behaviors over internal mental states.

Highlight: The challenges faced by introspection as a method paved the way for the dominance of behaviorism in psychology for many years.

Despite its limitations, introspection has had a lasting impact on psychology. Modern research still uses modified forms of introspection, particularly in studying emotions and subjective experiences. Wundt's introduction of scientific methods to psychology has influenced various approaches, including behaviorist and biological perspectives.

Quote: "Wundt's work and Introspection has been influential in many Psychological domains and has not been entirely abandoned."

This evaluation provides students with a balanced view of introspection's role in the history of psychology, essential for answering exam questions on the origins of psychology AQA A Level.

Unit 2 Approaches Origins of Psychology: Wundt • Introspection The emergence of Psychology as a science. Learning Approaches: The Behaviouri

The Behaviourist Approach: Classical Conditioning

This page introduces the behaviourist approach, focusing on classical conditioning and Pavlov's research. This information is crucial for students studying learning approaches in AQA psychology.

Classical conditioning, a fundamental concept in behaviorism, is explained through Pavlov's famous experiments with dogs. The process involves learning through association, where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a meaningful stimulus to elicit a similar response.

Definition: Classical conditioning is a learning process that occurs through associations between an environmental stimulus and a naturally occurring stimulus.

The page details the key components of classical conditioning:

  • Unconditioned Stimulus (UCS): A stimulus that naturally triggers a response
  • Unconditioned Response (UCR): The natural response to the UCS
  • Neutral Stimulus (NS): A stimulus that initially does not elicit a response
  • Conditioned Stimulus (CS): The previously neutral stimulus that, after conditioning, elicits a response
  • Conditioned Response (CR): The learned response to the CS

Example: In Pavlov's experiments, the sound of a bell (NS) was paired with food (UCS) to eventually elicit salivation (CR) in dogs even without the presence of food.

The page also discusses the processes of acquisition, extinction, spontaneous recovery, stimulus generalization, and discrimination in classical conditioning. These concepts are essential for understanding how learned behaviors can be formed, weakened, or strengthened over time.

Highlight: Classical conditioning has wide-ranging applications, from explaining phobias to influencing advertising strategies.

This detailed explanation of classical conditioning provides students with a solid foundation for understanding behaviorist principles, crucial for AQA Psychology A Level past papers and exam preparation.

Unit 2 Approaches Origins of Psychology: Wundt • Introspection The emergence of Psychology as a science. Learning Approaches: The Behaviouri

Operant Conditioning and Skinner's Research

This page delves into operant conditioning, another key concept in the behaviourist approach, and Skinner's influential research. This information is essential for students studying learning approaches in AQA psychology.

Operant conditioning, developed by B.F. Skinner, focuses on how consequences shape behavior. Unlike classical conditioning, which deals with involuntary responses, operant conditioning involves voluntary behaviors.

Definition: Operant conditioning is a method of learning that occurs through rewards and punishments for behavior.

The page explains the key components of operant conditioning:

  • Reinforcement: Consequences that increase the likelihood of a behavior recurring
  • Punishment: Consequences that decrease the likelihood of a behavior recurring

Types of reinforcement are detailed:

  1. Positive Reinforcement: Adding a desirable stimulus
  2. Negative Reinforcement: Removing an aversive stimulus
  3. Positive Punishment: Adding an aversive stimulus
  4. Negative Punishment: Removing a desirable stimulus

Example: A child receiving praise (positive reinforcement) for good behavior is more likely to repeat that behavior in the future.

Skinner's research, particularly his work with the "Skinner Box," is discussed. This apparatus allowed Skinner to study animal behavior in a controlled environment, leading to the development of his theories on operant conditioning.

Highlight: Skinner's work has had significant implications for understanding human behavior and has been applied in various fields, including education and therapy.

The page also covers schedules of reinforcement, explaining how the timing and frequency of reinforcement can affect behavior:

  • Continuous Reinforcement
  • Fixed Ratio Schedule
  • Variable Ratio Schedule
  • Fixed Interval Schedule
  • Variable Interval Schedule

This comprehensive overview of operant conditioning provides students with a thorough understanding of behaviorist principles, crucial for AQA A Level Psychology notes and exam preparation.

Unit 2 Approaches Origins of Psychology: Wundt • Introspection The emergence of Psychology as a science. Learning Approaches: The Behaviouri

Social Learning Theory

This page introduces Social Learning Theory (SLT), a significant development in learning approaches that bridges behaviorism and cognitive psychology. This theory is crucial for students studying approaches in Psychology AQA A level.

Social Learning Theory, primarily developed by Albert Bandura, proposes that people can learn new behaviors through observation of others. This theory expands on behaviorist principles by incorporating cognitive processes.

Definition: Social Learning Theory suggests that learning occurs through observation, imitation, and modeling of others' behavior.

Key concepts of Social Learning Theory are explained:

  1. Imitation: The direct copying of observed behavior
  2. Identification: Adopting observed behaviors to become more like the model
  3. Modeling: The process of demonstrating behavior for others to observe and imitate
  4. Vicarious Reinforcement: Learning from observing the consequences of others' actions

Example: A child learning to tie shoelaces by watching and imitating a parent demonstrates social learning.

The role of mediational processes in social learning is emphasized. These cognitive processes include:

  • Attention: Focusing on the model's behavior
  • Retention: Remembering the observed behavior
  • Reproduction: Ability to perform the observed behavior
  • Motivation: Having a reason to imitate the behavior

Highlight: Bandura's famous Bobo doll experiment demonstrated how children could learn aggressive behaviors through observation alone.

The page also discusses Bandura's research, particularly the Bobo doll studies, which provided empirical support for Social Learning Theory. These experiments showed how children could acquire new behaviors simply by watching adults, even without direct reinforcement.

This comprehensive overview of Social Learning Theory provides students with a deeper understanding of how social factors influence learning and behavior, essential for answering exam questions on learning approaches in AQA psychology.

Unit 2 Approaches Origins of Psychology: Wundt • Introspection The emergence of Psychology as a science. Learning Approaches: The Behaviouri

The Cognitive Approach

This page introduces the cognitive approach in psychology, which focuses on internal mental processes. This information is crucial for students studying approaches in Psychology AQA A level.

The cognitive approach emerged as a reaction to behaviorism, shifting focus from observable behavior to the study of mental processes such as thinking, problem-solving, and memory.

Definition: The cognitive approach in psychology studies internal mental processes, including perception, thinking, memory, and problem-solving.

Key aspects of the cognitive approach are explained:

  1. The role of schema: Mental frameworks that help organize and interpret information
  2. Use of theoretical models: Conceptual representations of cognitive processes
  3. Computer models: Simulations used to understand and predict cognitive functions
  4. Emergence of cognitive neuroscience: Combining cognitive psychology with neuroscience to understand brain-behavior relationships

Example: The use of the computer analogy in cognitive psychology, where the brain is likened to a computer processing information.

The page emphasizes the importance of information processing in cognitive psychology. This approach views the mind as a system that processes information, similar to how a computer operates.

Highlight: The cognitive approach has significantly influenced various fields, including education, artificial intelligence, and clinical psychology.

The emergence of cognitive neuroscience is discussed, highlighting how advances in brain imaging techniques have allowed researchers to study the neural basis of cognitive processes.

Vocabulary: Cognitive neuroscience - the scientific study of the biological processes and aspects that underlie cognition, with a specific focus on the neural connections in the brain which are involved in mental processes.

This overview of the cognitive approach provides students with a comprehensive understanding of how psychologists study mental processes, essential for AQA Psychology A Level past papers and exam preparation.

Unit 2 Approaches Origins of Psychology: Wundt • Introspection The emergence of Psychology as a science. Learning Approaches: The Behaviouri

The Biological Approach

This page delves into the biological approach in psychology, which emphasizes the role of biological factors in behavior and mental processes. This information is crucial for students studying approaches in Psychology AQA A level.

The biological approach suggests that behavior and experiences are the result of biological processes, including genetics, hormones, and brain structure and function.

Definition: The biological approach in psychology focuses on how biological factors such as genes, brain structure, and neurochemistry influence behavior and mental processes.

Key aspects of the biological approach are explained:

  1. Evolution and behavior: How evolutionary processes have shaped human behavior
  2. Genetic basis of behavior: The role of genes in influencing personality traits and behaviors
  3. Biological structures: The impact of brain structure and nervous system on behavior
  4. Neurochemistry: The influence of neurotransmitters and hormones on mental states and behavior

Vocabulary:

  • Genotype: The genetic makeup of an organism
  • Phenotype: The observable characteristics resulting from the interaction of genotype and environment

The page discusses the concept of evolution in relation to behavior, explaining how certain behaviors may have evolved because they increased chances of survival and reproduction.

Example: The fight-or-flight response as an evolutionary adaptation that helped our ancestors survive threats.

The role of genetics in behavior is explored, including the concepts of genotype and phenotype. The page explains how genes can influence behavior directly or through interaction with environmental factors.

Highlight: Twin studies and adoption studies have been crucial in understanding the relative contributions of genes and environment to behavior.

The importance of biological structures, particularly the brain and nervous system, is emphasized. The page explains how different brain regions are associated with specific functions and how damage to these areas can affect behavior.

Lastly, the role of neurochemistry is discussed, focusing on how neurotransmitters and hormones influence mood, cognition, and behavior.

This comprehensive overview of the biological approach provides students with a solid understanding of how biological factors influence psychology, essential for AQA A Level Psychology notes and exam preparation.

Unit 2 Approaches Origins of Psychology: Wundt • Introspection The emergence of Psychology as a science. Learning Approaches: The Behaviouri

The Psychodynamic Approach

This page introduces the psychodynamic approach in psychology, primarily developed by Sigmund Freud. This information is crucial for students studying approaches in Psychology AQA A level and preparing for exams on psychodynamic theory.

The psychodynamic approach emphasizes the role of unconscious mental processes in shaping behavior and personality. It suggests that our actions are influenced by hidden motives and conflicts of which we are not aware.

Definition: The psychodynamic approach in psychology focuses on unconscious mental processes and childhood experiences as key factors in shaping personality and behavior.

Key aspects of the psychodynamic approach are explained:

  1. The role of the unconscious: The idea that much of our behavior is driven by unconscious thoughts and desires
  2. Structure of personality: Freud's concept of Id, Ego, and Superego
  3. Defence mechanisms: Unconscious strategies used to reduce anxiety and protect the ego
  4. Psychosexual stages: Freud's theory of personality development

Vocabulary:

  • Id: The primitive and instinctual part of the mind
  • Ego: The realistic part that mediates between the desires of the id and the super-ego
  • Superego: The moral component of personality

The page discusses Freud's theory of the unconscious mind, explaining how repressed thoughts and memories can influence behavior without conscious awareness.

Example: A person with a fear of dogs may have repressed a childhood memory of being bitten by a dog.

Freud's structural model of the psyche (Id, Ego, Superego) is explained in detail, showing how these three components interact to shape personality and behavior.

Highlight: The concept of defense mechanisms, such as repression, denial, and displacement, is crucial to understanding how individuals cope with anxiety and conflict in the psychodynamic approach.

The psychosexual stages of development (oral, anal, phallic, latency, and genital) are outlined, explaining how Freud believed early childhood experiences shape adult personality.

This comprehensive overview of the psychodynamic approach provides students with a deep understanding of Freud's theories and their impact on psychology, essential for answering exam questions on psychodynamic and humanistic approaches comparison.

Unit 2 Approaches Origins of Psychology: Wundt • Introspection The emergence of Psychology as a science. Learning Approaches: The Behaviouri

Humanistic Psychology

This page introduces humanistic psychology, a perspective that emphasizes individual potential and self-actualization. This information is crucial for students studying approaches in Psychology AQA A level and preparing for exams on humanistic approaches.

Humanistic psychology emerged as a reaction to both psychoanalysis and behaviorism, focusing on the inherent goodness of people and their drive towards self-actualization.

Definition: Humanistic psychology is an approach that emphasizes an individual's inherent drive towards self-actualization and personal growth.

Key aspects of humanistic psychology are explained:

  1. Free will: The belief that individuals have the ability to make choices and control their own destiny
  2. Self-actualization: The idea that people strive to reach their full potential
  3. Maslow's hierarchy of needs: A theory of motivation based on a hierarchy of human needs
  4. The Self and congruence: Rogers' concept of the ideal self versus the actual self
  5. Conditions of worth: How external values and expectations can affect self-concept

Vocabulary:

  • Self-actualization: The full realization of one's potential
  • Congruence: The state of being in which a person's ideal self and actual experience are consistent or very similar

The page discusses Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs, explaining how basic needs must be met before higher-level needs can be addressed.

Example: According to Maslow's hierarchy, a person struggling with food insecurity (a basic need) would find it difficult to focus on self-actualization.

Carl Rogers' person-centered approach is explained, focusing on the concepts of the self, congruence, and unconditional positive regard.

Highlight: The humanistic approach has significantly influenced counseling psychology, emphasizing the importance of empathy and unconditional positive regard in therapeutic relationships.

The role of conditions of worth is discussed, explaining how external expectations and values can shape an individual's self-concept and behavior.

This comprehensive overview of humanistic psychology provides students with a deep understanding of its key principles and their applications, essential for answering exam questions on psychodynamic and humanistic approaches comparison and understanding the similarities between psychodynamic and person-centred approach.

Unit 2 Approaches Origins of Psychology: Wundt • Introspection The emergence of Psychology as a science. Learning Approaches: The Behaviouri

Comparison of Approaches

This page provides a comprehensive comparison of the major psychological approaches covered in the AQA Psychology Paper 2 notes with evaluations PDF. This comparison is crucial for students preparing for exams and looking to understand the differences between psychodynamic and humanistic approaches.

The page presents a detailed table comparing the following approaches:

  1. Behaviorist
  2. Social Learning Theory
  3. Cognitive
  4. Biological
  5. Psychodynamic
  6. Humanistic

For each approach, the following aspects are compared:

  • Key assumptions
  • Methods used
  • Key studies
  • Strengths
  • Weaknesses

Highlight: Understanding the similarities and differences between these approaches is essential for developing a critical perspective in psychology.

The comparison reveals how each approach offers a unique perspective on human behavior and mental processes:

  • The behaviorist approach focuses on observable behavior and environmental influences.
  • Social Learning Theory bridges behaviorism and cognitive psychology by emphasizing observational learning.
  • The cognitive approach concentrates on internal mental processes and information processing.
  • The biological approach emphasizes the role of genetics, brain structure, and neurochemistry.
  • The psychodynamic approach focuses on unconscious processes and early childhood experiences.
  • The humanistic approach emphasizes individual potential and self-actualization.

Example: While the psychodynamic approach might explain a phobia as a result of repressed childhood trauma, the behaviorist approach would view it as a learned response to environmental stimuli.

The page also discusses how these approaches can complement each other, providing a more comprehensive understanding of human psychology.

Vocabulary: Eclectic approach - combining elements from different psychological theories and methods.

This comparison helps students develop a nuanced understanding of psychological theories, essential for answering exam questions that require critical analysis and evaluation of different approaches.

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