The Cognitive Perspective

Please use this link

The Learning Perspective

What is Psychology for a Behaviourist?

(It will be beneficial to you if you note down any strengths/evidence for and weaknesses/evidence against as you go along. This will help you compile your evaluative points at the end)

Read Glassman pages 100- 102 and make brief notes on what is behaviourism (learning perspective) and the main assumptions underlying this approach.

A very brief ppt explaing the unit objectives

1) Developmental and Cultural Contexts
You need to investigate the historical and cultural conditions that gave rise to the learning perspective.

Question- How did the criticisms against the psychodynamic perspective influence the development of the learning perspective?

Write down all the main criticisms of psychoanalysis and how you think the next perspective (historically) may have developed from these.


Question- This approach focuses on the scientific approach. What is the scientific approach and how does it differ from the methods/approaches used by the psychoanalysts?

Question- What makes something a science?








See this powerpoint for an overview of the origins of the perspective and the cultural and historical contexts.

Read the handout given to you on the historical and cultural contexts.

From the PPT and the handout complete a Blog entry on 'What was the historical and cultural context of the learning perspective?'

Read the handout on the free-will and determinism debate in psychology and make your own summary notes.

Read Glassman pages 102-104 and make summary notes on the founders of the learning perspective- Thorndike (law of effect) and Watson ("Give me a dozen healthy infants, well-formed, and my own specified world to bring them up in and I'll guarantee to take one at random and train him to become any type of specialist I might select- doctor, lawyer, artist, merchant chief and yes, even beggar man and thief, regardless of his talents, penchants, tendencies, abilities, vocations and race of his ancestors".

Key Terms
Read Glassman pages 104 and 105 to understand the main terminology used by the behaviourists (learning theorists): Stimulus, response, reflex and voluntary response.

2) Framework
Classical Conditioning (Learning by Association)

Pavlov and his dogs!


Play the classical conditioning game- can you make a dog salivate??

Read Glassman pages 106-114 and make brief summary notes on the empirical studies of Pavlov.
Key terms: UCR, CR, UCS, CS, NS, generalization, discrimination, extinction, spontaneous recovery and higher order conditioning.



Complete the gapped activity sheet on classical conditioning



Applications of Classical Conditioning
Systematic Desensitisation

Flooding

Aversion Therapy

Conditioned Emotional Response (used in the treatment of phobias)
The case of 'Little Albert'


Read and make notes from Glassman pages 114-118 on conditioned emotional responses and conditioned drug and immune system responses.


Complete the gapped handout on Baby Albert's conditioning


If you're interested in what happened to Little Albert see this article.

Operant Conditioning (by consequences)


Read and make notes from Glassman pages 118-120 to understand the foundations of operant conditioning in the work of Thorndike.




Skinner was the pioneer of operant conditioning and he created a framework for the study of learned behaviour.
Read about Skinner and OC on pages 120-121.
He did many experiments- one of these was putting rats into a 'Skinner Box' to see how learning is related to reinforcement and he also conducted a study called 'Superstition in the Pigeon'.
See handout from 40 studies that changed psychology also.

Glassman pages 122-126. Read and make notes on the various types of reinforcer and see this link.

Glassman pages 126-128. Read and make notes on behaviour shaping and extinction and see this link for shaping and this link for extinction.

Glassman pages 128-134. Read and make notes on schedules of reinforcement and see this link.

Task
"An assumption can be defined as a belief or idea that psychologists studying behaviour from a particular perspective hold in common"
A) Outline one assumption from the learning perspective (3)
B) Explain how one empirical study from the learning perspective illustrates the assumption you have identified in part A). (5)

Applications of Operant Conditioning
Please read Glassman pages 134-137 and see these links to make your own notes on the practical applications of operant conditioning.
Link 1 An animal trainers guide to OC (includes some CC details also)
Link 2 Applications to education
Link 3 Explanation for drug use
Link 4 Shaping non-violence
Link 5 Examples of shaping (behaviour modification) in everyday life

Link 6 Language acqusition and Skinner vs Chomsky and Skinner and language and another Skinner link

Link 7 Language Acquisition Device

Glassman pages 137-138 read and make notes on how CC and OC are interralated.

Overview of classical and operant conditioning ppt

Task

Identify and evaluate one contribution of the learning perspective to the scientific study of behaviour (8)

Learned Helplessness
Seligman conducted a study on dogs and found that they could learn to become helpless and he linked this to depressive illnesses in humans. See this link and read the article given to you on Seligman's research.

Biology and OC
Read Glassman pages 138-140 on biofeedback. Think how this theory could be useful in the real world- what are the practical applications?

Read Glassman pages 141- 145. Make notes on the biological constraints on learning. (This is a discussion of the nature/nurture debate. Are we biologically prepared for some things or are we truly born a blank slate?)

Cognitive Maps
Edward Tolman considered the unobservable aspects of learning and is considered the founder of the cognitive-behaviourist perspective. See you handout on Tolman and cognitive maps.

Insight Learning (Refuting the radical behaviourists)
Glassman pages 150-152 read and make notes on Kohler.
Link 1 Kohler
Link 2 Tool making chimps
Link 3 The cognitive shift

Problems with classical and operant conditioning: Use this information and this link to add more evaluative points to your table. Use your notes, the textbook, other textbooks and www to find some more points.
Task:

A) Describe one study in which environmental factors contribute to explanations of behaviour within the learning perspective (4)

B) Explain how the findings of the study described in (a) have helped psychologists to understand behavioural change (4)

Check your knowledge of the behaviourist chapter in Glassman. See this link for some multiple choice questions.


Social Learning Theory

Link 1 Bandura Study
Link 2 Observational Learning
Link 3 Factors influencing SLT

Seligman and Learned helplessness

Evaluation
Link 1 Cross-cultural considerations
Link 2 Learned helplessness
Link 3 Limitations
Link 4 Why praising children may not work
Link 5 Overview
Link 6 Freewill Vs Determinism (handout in learning pack)

Example Questions
Link 1
Link 2

Overview of the Learning Perspective (great revision aid)

What do you remember from chapter 5

Chapter 5 Quiz

1. Psychodynamic theories are disinguishable from other approaches because of their concern with
A) the influence of past experiences on behaviour
B) the factors which shape personality
C) what motivates behaviour
D) all of the above

2. Freud's theory of psychoanalysis is called a Psychodynamic theory because
A) it is also a type of therapy
B) it emphasises the influence of mental forces on behaviour
C) of the emphasis placed on discrete neurological processes
D) it collects data in clinical settings

3. Freud's theory is based on the principle of psychic determinism, which assumes
A) the environment shapes the way we think
B) mental processes are governed by neural activity
C) behaviour is controlled by a non-physical spirit
D) all behaviour is based on mental causes

4. Freud agreed with all of the following ideas about behaviour EXCEPT
A) biologically-based drives are an important influence on behaviour
B) normal behaviour is based on different processes than abnormal behaviour
C) many thoughts and impulses are unconscious
D) clinical case studies are useful in understanding behaviour

5. If a person complains of a physical symptom, such as numbness in their hand, yet there is no physiological explanation, Freud would describe it as
A) sublimation
B) a form of catharsis
C) hysteria
D) latent content

6. If a patient in therapy began recalling a traumatic memory, and became emotional about it, Freud would say
A) this was an undesirable loss of conscious control
B) it was a useful form of catharsis
C) such memories were produced by the dream censor
D) a hysteria reaction could be manifesting itself

7. Freud often asked patients to say whatever came into their mind, as a way of trying to understand the individual's problems. This technique is based on
A) the idea that there are always patterns of associations in the mind
B) trying to catch the unconscious mind off guard
C) trying to eliminate repression
D) the use of catharsis as a clinical tool.

8. Sarah goes to see Dr. Zhivago, who is a psychoanalyst. He asks her to lie on a couch, and say whatever comes into her mind. The technique he is using is
A) sublimation
B) free recall
C) catharsis
D) free association

9. Freud observed that there are many thoughts and feelings which we are unaware of at a particular moment, but which can be brought into awareness.In his theory, these thoughts and feelings are part of the
A) conscious
B) preconscious
C) unconscious
D) none of the above

10. According to Freud's theory, repression can lead to experiences being held in the
A) conscious
B) subconscious
C) preconscious
D) unconscious

11. When he woke in the morning, John recalled a dream in which he had won a large prize in a lottery, but lost the ticket. This description is what Freud would call
A) an example of wish fulfillment
B) the manifest content of the dream
C) the latent content of the dream
D) content which eluded the dream censor

12. Freud argued that while we sleep, a dream censor is active, whose function is to
A) express the values of the superego
B) convert the dream into symbolic form
C) prevent any symbolic fulfillment of forbidden desires
D) hide the true meaning of the dream by creating latent content

13. Sue likes shopping, and always seeks out new clothing stores. However, she hates doing housework, and usually ignores the mess in her apartment. Freud would explain this behaviour in terms of
A) the law of effect
B) the principle of hedonism
C) the pleasure principle
D) the expression of Thanatos

14. When Freud described "sexuality" as an important drive, he meant
A) fantasies, not real behaviour
B) the desire for physical intercourse
C) only heterosexual sexual impulses
D) all forms of physical and sensual pleasure

15. Herman test-drives a new sports car at a dealer's. Although he really likes it, he decides that he can't afford to buy it. This assessment of what is realistic is characteristic of
A) the id
B) the ego
C) the superego
D) both the id and the superego

16. Freud believed that newborn infants are basically governed by the
A) id
B) ego
C) superego
D) reality principle

17 Twelve-year-old Hugh sees a CD he wants in a store. He is tempted to steal it, but doesn't because he knows it is wrong. Freud would say his decision is governed by
A) the id
B) the ego
C) the superego
D) none of the above

18. Which of the following statements about Freud's psychodynamic theory is correct?
A) The ego is largely unconscious.
B) The superego is responsible for reality-testing.
C) The ego is equivalent to the conscience.
D) The id is the source of basic drives.

19. Freud described rational thought as ___________, and stated that itwas associated with the ______.
A) primary process thinking; id
B) primary process thinking; ego
C) secondary process thinking; id
D) secondary process thinking; ego

20. According to Freud, infants engage in primary process thinking, which is associated with the ______, and which is intended to __________
A) id; reduce tension
B) ego; test reality
C) superego; satisfy drives by wish fulfillment
D) ego; repress drives

Working on the Psychodynamic Presentations

The Psychodynamic Approach

The term psychodynamic denotes the active forces within the personality that motivate behaviour, and the inner causes of behaviour. While Freud's was the original psychodynamic theory, the approach includes all those theories based on his ideas.
Read the newspaper article 'The Father of Psychoanalysis' and answer the following questions.

Introduction to psychodynamic psychology
1) Historical and Cultural Contexts.
In order to fully understand Freud's theories you first need to have an appreciation of the era in which he was writing.
Read pages 204-206 in Approaches to Psychology

For this task you will need to get into groups to prepare and present a presentation to the rest of the group on one of the following topics:
- 19th Century Victorian Society
- 20th Century events 1900-1945
- Vienna in the late 19th and 20th centuries
- Science in the late 19th and 20th centuries
- Freud's family background, education and major life experiences Information on Freud can be found at one of the Freud museum pages:
London
Vienna
Freud Exhibition

Freud, his theories and life in Vienna

General information about his life and the influence of society and other people can be found at this link.

Essay- At this point in the year you are not ready to attempt a full IB question, such as, describe the historical and cultural context of the development of the psychodynamic perspective. Instead I would like you to write a 350-400 word essay:
Essay: Discuss the historical and cultural context of Freud's theories of behaviour.

2) Frued's Theories- Read pages 206- 233 in Approaches to Psychology

Pages 206-207 Notes on Psychic determinism

Pages 207-209 Notes on Freud's theory of consciousness
(Students to prepare comparison table)

Pages 209-210 Notes on dreams
(Fun dream analysis)

Pages 211-212 Notes on instinctive unconscious drives

Pages 213-214 Notes on the tripartite theory of personality
(Pictorial representation of the mind and personality)

Pages 214-223 Notes on the 5 psychosexual stages of development
See the PPT presentation

Pages 223-228 Notes on defence mechanisms Link 1, Link 2, Link 3

Pages 229-233 Freud's methods of investigation

Psychoanalytic Theories Overview Powerpoint

3) Freud Video (The Young Dr Freud)

Techniques for Research
Freud used the case study method when treating his clients (seeing them individually and investigating them in detail) often using the clinical interview method to probe their past and question their behaviour.

See The Little Hans Case Study and others

Answer these questions on the Little Hans case study handed out to you.

Free Association

Dream Interpretation

Freudian Slips

Using these web sites and pages 229-233 in Approaches to Psychology you need to complete a table of all of Freud's methods of investigation. You need to describe each method, give an example of when this was used (if applicable) and detail the strengths and weaknesses of each method.

A) Outline one or more techniques used for research in psychodynamic psychology (6)
B) Evaluate the techniques outlined in question A (14)

Evaluation of Freud
Using a variety of sources you need to name and explain a range of strengths and weaknesses of the Psychodynamic theory- these can be general evaluative points, methological issues, clinical validation of concepts, experimental validation of concepts etc.
Sources:
Glassman Pages 233-238

Empirical Research

Psychoanalysis Effectiveness

Relevance of Freud today

Essay
Describe and evaluate the structure and functioning of the persoanlity in Freudian psychoanalytic theory (20).

The Neo-Freudians
There are a number of other Psychodynamic theories other than that of Freud. These are collectively known as the Neo-Freudians:
Jung
Erikson
Klein
Adler
Horney

You will get into groups and prepare a presentation on one of the neo-Freudians. This will be assessed- see the presentation rubric

Essay:
a) Outline two neo-Freudian theories (3)
b) Explain how these theories modify classic psychoanaytic theories (3)
c) Evaluate the contribution of one of the neo-Freudians theores to the understanding of human behaviour (14)

What do you know about Freud
Take this not so serious quiz to find out.

How can this approach be applied to everyday living?
Read this article published in Psychology Today- Think Like a Shrink

Psychological Perspectives

You have been reading about and participating in class discussions about why all psychologists do not agree. In psychology there are a number of different approaches (perspectives) that a psychologist can work from. I have prepared a short powerpoint to summarise the key people in psychology and the main approaches that we will be studying this year.

History of Psychology

Approaches to Psychology
Introductory Questions

Read pages 2,3,4 & 5 and answer the following questions.
1. Define the term ‘Psychology’
2. Define ‘the scientific method’
3. Which two early psychologists studied
their own behaviour and how?
4. What were the problems with the early
method of introspection?
5. What is reactivity and give an example
6. Give some examples of what can cause
behaviour
7. Why does psychology have many
different approaches/perspectives to explain human behaviour?

Read pages 6-12