Overview

Specification Requirements:

Origins of Psychology: Wundt, introspection and the emergence of Psychology as a science.

The basic assumptions of the following approaches:

Learning approaches: the behaviourist approach, including classical conditioning and Pavlov’s research, operant conditioning, types of reinforcement and Skinner’s research; social learning theory including imitation, identification, modelling, vicarious reinforcement, the role of mediational processes and Bandura’s research.
The cognitive approach: the study of internal mental processes, the role of schema, the use of theoretical and computer models to explain and make inferences about mental processes. The emergence of cognitive neuroscience.
The biological approach: the influence of genes, biological structures and neurochemistry on behaviour. Genotype and phenotype, genetic basis of behaviour, evolution and behaviour.

Requirements broken down (research studies are in bold) - Students should be able to:

Origins of psychology

Explain what Wundt meant by introspection
Describe the emergence of Psychology as a science from its early philosophical roots to the 21^st century.

The Learning approach

Describe and evaluate the behaviourist approach including classical and operant conditioning and Pavlov and Skinner’s studies
Describe and evaluate social learning theory including research support from Bandura

The Cognitive approach

Describe and evaluate the cognitive approach including theoretical and computer models, schemas and the emergence of cognitive neuroscience

The Biological approach

Describe and evaluate the biological approach including genes, genotype and phenotype and evolution

KEY CONCEPTS

Origins of Psychology

The Learning approach

The Cognitive approach

The Biological approach

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