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A Level Psychology > Approaches Key Terms > Flashcards

Flashcards in Approaches Key Terms Deck (38)
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1
Q

Psychology

A

The scientific study of the human mind and its functions, especially those functions affecting behaviour in a given context

2
Q

Science

A

A means of acquiring knowledge through systematic and objective investigation. The aim is to discover general laws

3
Q

Introspection

A

The first systematic experimental attempt to study the mind by breaking up conscious awareness into basic structures of thoughts, images and sensations

4
Q

Behaviourist Approach

A

A way of explaining behaviour in terms of what is observable and in terms of learning

5
Q

Classical Conditioning

A

Learning by association

6
Q

Operant Conditioning

A

Learning by consequences

7
Q

Reinforcement

A

A consequence of behaviour that increases the likelihood of that behaviour being repeated. It can be positive or negative.

8
Q

Social Learning Theory

A

A way of explaining behaviour that includes both direct and indirect reinforcement, combining learning theory with the role of cognitive factors

9
Q

Imitation

A

Copying the behaviour of others

10
Q

Modelling

A

Either imitating the behaviour of a role model OR the precise demonstration of a specific behaviour that could be imitated by the observer

11
Q

Vicarious Reinforcement

A

Reinforcement which is not directly experienced but occurs through observing being reinforced for a behaviour

12
Q

Mediational Processes

A

Cognitive factors that influence learning and come between stimulus and response

13
Q

Cognitive Approach

A

An approach focused on how our mental processes affect our behaviour

14
Q

Internal Mental Processes

A

“Private” operations of the mind such as perception and attention that mediate between stimulus and response

15
Q

Schema

A

A mental framework of beliefs and expectations that influence cognitive processing. They are developed from experience

16
Q

Inference

A

The process whereby cognitive psychologists draw conclusions about the way mental processes operate on the basic of observed behaviour

17
Q

Cognitive Neuroscience

A

The scientific study of biological structures that underpin cognitive processes

18
Q

Biological Approach

A

A perspective that empathises the importance of physical processes in the body such as inheritance and neural functions

19
Q

Genes

A

They make up chromosomes and consist of DNA which codes physical features and psychological features. Genes are inherited

20
Q

Biological Structure

A

An arrangement or organism of parts to form a organ, system or living thing

21
Q

Neurochemistry

A

Relating to chemical in the brain that regulates psychological functioning

22
Q

Genotype

A

The particular set of genes that a person has

23
Q

Phenotype

A

The characteristics of an individual determined by both genes and the environment

24
Q

Evolution

A

The changes in inherited characteristics in a biological population over successive generations

25
Q

Psychodynamic Approach

A

A perspective that describes the different forces, most of which are unconscious, that operate on the mind and direct human behaviour and experience

26
Q

The Unconscious

A

The part of the mind that we are unaware of but which continues to direct most of our behaviour

27
Q

Id

A

Entirely unconscious, the id is made up of selfish aggressive instincts that demand immediate gratification

28
Q

Ego

A

The “reality check”, that balances the conflicting demands of the id and the superego

29
Q

Superego

A

The moralistic part of our personality which represents the ideal self, how we ought to be

30
Q

Defence Mechanisms

A

Unconscious strategies that the ego uses to manage the conflict between the id and the superego

31
Q

Psychosexual Stages

A

Five developmental stages that all children pass through. At each stage there is a different conflict, the outcome of which determines future development

32
Q

Humanistic Psychology Approach

A

An approach to understand behaviour that emphasises the importance of subjective experience and each persons capacity for self determination

33
Q

Free Will

A

The notion that humans can make choices and are not determined by biological or external forces

34
Q

Self Actualisation

A

The desire to grow psychologically and fulfil one’s full potential-becoming what you are capable of

35
Q

Hierarchy of Needs

A

A five levelled hierarchical sequence in which basic needs must be satisfied before higher psychological needs can be achieved

36
Q

Self

A

The ideas and values that characterise “I” and “Me” and includes perception and valuing of “What I Am” and “What I Can Do”

37
Q

Congruence

A

The aim of Rogerian therapy, when the self concept and ideal self are seen to broadly accord or match

38
Q

Conditions of Worth

A

When a parent places limits or boundaries on their love of their children