AQA Psychology for A Level Year 1 & AS - Student Book
Each question is split into AO1 and AO3 chunks.
Essay answers are easy to read and give you an example of how to write 16 mark questions and lead techniques on writing lower mark questions.
Contain 12 self-contained essays
1) Methods used by cognitive psychologist
2) Wundt and psychological origi...
Evaluate research methods used by cognitive psychologists
There are a range of methods used by cognitive psychologist. One method is
inference (assumption made about processes that can't be directly measured) to
explain the cognitive functions resulting in such behaviours leading to a greater
understanding of the behaviour. Another method is computer models, the brain
can be related to a computer; the Hard Drive can be compared to Long Term
Memory, the RAM (random access memory) can be likened to Working Memory,
the Monitor can be likened to Actions and the Keyboard can be likened to Sense
Organs. Finally, another method is theoretical models, this is where
psychologists use boxes and flow charts to simplify the process of human
thinking. These show cause and effect or the stages of a mental process. These
are easy to read, interpret and understand (high face validity) but also
frequently adapted and changed.
A limitation of methods used by cognitive psychologists, is the use of inference
highlights the question of cause and effect. This is shown as inference is making
assumptions. This suggests that we can't be entirely such that what we assume
as the cognitive cause of behaviour is the actual/only case. Therefore, we would
question if inference is an effective tool of investigating the cause of behaviour.
Another limitation of methods used by cognitive psychologists, is that methods
such as computer models are seen to be too mechanical. The model directly
analogises the workings of a computer to the functioning of the human brain.
This modelling method doesn't account for the various factors which influence
human thinking such as emotions and motivation, putting too much empathise
on rigidity where the brain is flexible and heavily influenced. Therefore, we
would question the flexibility of using computer models as an investigatory aid.
However, a strength of methods used by cognitive psychologist is the use of lab
experiments. The use of lab experiments means that there is more control over
extraneous variable which can affects the results of the study. This makes it
easier to establish cause and effect and be more confident that the IV has direct
caused the DV. Therefore, the use of lab experiment increases the validity of
results produced in explaining behaviour.
Discuss Wundt’s contribution to psychological origins
Wundt moved psychology from being rooted in philosophy and moved to into a
science based. Empirical methods were introduced (scientific methods and
measuring objectively). Wrote the first psychological textbook and set up the
first lab in Germany, dedicated to experimental psychology. Furthermore,
introduced structuralism; used experimental methods to find the basic building
blocks of thoughts and investigated how they interacted. In addition, Wundt
discovered Introspection – method of investigating our own conscious thoughts/
emotions (thoughts and emotions associated with the response to a stimulus) to
aid him to understand the structure of the human mind.
A strength of Wundt’s contribution of the origins of psychology is that his
methods are self-corrective and have been the foundations for various current
therapies. This is seen there its applications in CBT. This suggests that due the
self-corrective nature of his ideas and theories, enabled it to hold value and
, validity into current applications showing that Wundt contributed the theories
to be used in application.
Furthermore, Wundt introduced the notion of standardisation and empirical
methods. This aided psychology to move from being based in philosophy to a
scientific nature. This allowed psychology to become based in
measurable/observable data. This suggests that psychological techniques and
results from study becomes more valid due to the scientific nature showing
Wundt’s pushed psychology to become more focus on validity and reliability.
However, a limitation of Wundt’s contribution to psychology is that
introspection - which is used in some therapies – the original investigator
method was self-report techniques (speaking about emotions associated with
the response to the stimuli) . This suggest that findings could have been
affected by social desirability bias, questioning the validity of the finding in turn
affecting the temporal validity of his conclusions into modern approaches.
Discuss the behaviourists approach to psychology
Behaviourist approach states that all behaviour is conditioned (learnt) from the
environment. The approach consists on classical and operant conditioning.
Classical conditioning works on the bases of learning by association.
Unconditional stimulus will always produce an unconditioned response, but
through classical conditioning a neutral stimulus can produce the desired
unconditioned response through pairing the NS with the US it will produce a
conditioned response and after a series of pairing the NS will be associated
with the US to produce the desired conditioned response. However, the
conditioning can be affected by processes such as extinction/generalisation.
Whereas operant conditioning that occurs through rewards and punishment for
behaviour, through OC an individual makes an association between a particular
behaviour and a consequence. Positive punishment: occurs when behaviour is
followed by an unfavourable outcome (spanking) whereas negative punishment;
occurs when a behaviour lead to the removal of something favourable (being
grounded). Positive reinforcement; occurs when a behaviour results in a
favourable outcome (dog receiving a treat after obeying a command) whereas
negative reinforcement; occurs when a behaviour results in the removal of an
unfavourable experience (rats receiving a shock when press food lever).
A strength of the behaviourist approach is its application in therapies. This is
shown through the use of behaviourist concepts in Flooding and Systematic
desensitization. This suggests that the behaviourist explanation of behaviour
holds validity as the application in Phobia treatment have is higher effective.
This demonstrates that the behaviourist approach has many real- world
applications in the understanding and treatment a range of behaviour – from
phobia to gambling.
Furthermore, the behaviourist approach contributed to the still- developing
recognition of psychology as a science. Pavlov and Skinner rejected the earlier
emphasis on methods used in introspection and focused on more objectivity as it
is a more measurable, dimension of behaviour. Behaviourist regard scientific
methods as leading to an increased confidence in validity of explaining human
behaviour, thus helping psychology to gain credibility as a scientific discipline.
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