Approaches- AQA Psychology UNDER 20 MINS! Quick Revision for Paper 2

Summary

This video script offers a rapid-fire overview of various psychological approaches, including structuralism, behaviorism, social learning theory, cognitive psychology, biological psychology, psychodynamic theory, and humanism. It discusses the evolution of psychology from introspection to empirical research, the role of internal mental processes, and the impact of genetics, environment, and unconscious processes on behavior. The script also touches on the scientific methods used in psychology, the influence of cognitive neuroscience, and the importance of considering all aspects of human experience for a holistic understanding.

Takeaways

• 🎓 The video provides a quick overview of various approaches in psychology, including structuralism, behaviorism, social learning theory, cognitive psychology, biological psychology, and psychodynamic and humanistic approaches.
• 🔍 Structuralism, introduced by Wilhelm Wundt, focused on breaking down thoughts into elements to understand the structure of the mind through introspection.
• 🐦 Behaviorism, pioneered by John B. Watson and later B.F. Skinner, emphasized observable behaviors and learning through classical and operant conditioning, rejecting introspection in favor of experimental methods.
• 🤝 Social learning theory by Albert Bandura built upon behaviorism by incorporating internal mental processes and the role of observation and modeling in learning.
• 💡 The cognitive approach views the mind as an information processing system, with theories and models such as the working memory model explaining mental processes like attention and memory.
• 🧬 The biological approach considers behavior as a result of physical processes within the body, including genetic factors, brain activity, and hormonal influences.
• 💆‍♂️ The psychodynamic approach, founded by Sigmund Freud, delves into the influence of unconscious processes and early childhood experiences on behavior.
• 🌟 Humanistic psychology emphasizes personal growth, self-actualization, and free will, focusing on the healthy aspects of human behavior rather than pathology.
• 🔑 Key concepts such as schemas, inferences, and cognitive models help explain how individuals process information and make decisions.
• 🧠 Advancements in cognitive neuroscience have allowed for the linking of cognitive processes with brain activity, providing neurobiological support for psychological theories.
• 🌐 The video mentions the influence of socio-cultural factors on behavior and acknowledges the limitations of reductionist approaches that oversimplify complex human behaviors.
• 📚 The script is complemented by additional resources on Patreon, offering a deeper dive into psychological concepts and study aids for students.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video script provided?

The video script focuses on summarizing different approaches in psychology, including structuralism, behaviorism, social learning theory, cognitive approach, biological approach, psychodynamic approach, and humanistic approach, and how they contribute to the understanding of human behavior and mental processes.

Who is considered the father of psychology and what did he do?

Wilhelm Wundt is considered the father of psychology. He initiated controlled empirical scientific research and opened the first psychological laboratory in Leipzig, Germany in the 1870s.

What is the structuralism approach in psychology?

Structuralism is an approach that aimed to uncover the structure of the mind by breaking thoughts about an object into separate elements through introspection, which is the self-examination of one's own conscious experience.

What is the main criticism of the introspection method used in structuralism?

The main criticism of the introspection method is that internal mental processes cannot be studied scientifically, as they are not observable and are subjective to the individual experiencing them.

What are the two types of conditioning explained in the script?

The two types of conditioning explained are classical conditioning, which involves learning by association, and operant conditioning, which involves learning by trial and error through the connection between behaviors and consequences.

How does social learning theory differ from behaviorism?

Social learning theory agrees with behaviorism that behavior results from learning experiences but adds that internal mental processes must be considered. It emphasizes learning in a social context through observation, imitation, and modeling of others' behavior.

What is the cognitive approach's view on the mind and how does it differ from behaviorism?

The cognitive approach views the mind as a series of stages of mental information processing, similar to a computer's software. It differs from behaviorism by focusing on internal mental processes and the structure of mental processes that result in behavior, rather than just observable behaviors.

What evidence supports the biological approach to understanding behavior?

The biological approach is supported by evidence from twin and family studies, genetic research, brain scans, and the study of neurotransmitters and hormones, all of which show that physical processes within the body, primarily neurological, influence behavior.

What is the psychodynamic approach and how does it explain behavior?

The psychodynamic approach, founded by Sigmund Freud, focuses on how unconscious psychological processes shape behavior. It suggests that early childhood experiences form the unconscious mind, which in turn influences our actions and emotions through mechanisms like the id, ego, super-ego, and defense mechanisms.

What is the humanistic approach and how does it contrast with other approaches?

The humanistic approach focuses on personal growth and free will. It contrasts with other approaches by emphasizing the healthy human condition rather than pathology, and it suggests that individuals have the capacity to self-actualize, or reach their full potential, through meeting their basic needs and striving for self-improvement.

What are some criticisms of the psychodynamic approach?

Criticisms of the psychodynamic approach include its reliance on case studies that may be biased, the lack of scientific testing for the existence of the unconscious mind, and the unfalsifiability of some of its key concepts, which some argue makes it unscientific.

How does the script describe the role of free will in human behavior according to different psychological approaches?

The script describes varying views on free will: behaviorism suggests environmental determinism, social learning theory allows for some choice, cognitive approach implies some level of conscious control, biological approach points to biological determinism, psychodynamic approach emphasizes unconscious drives, and humanism asserts the expression of free will and conscious decision-making.