Origins, approaches and debates

This episode covers cultural bias in psychology. emic and etic approaches, Black psychology and Afrocentrism and includes some sensitive issues. Using intelligence as an example, exploring the way in which culturally biased tests have been used to promote ‘scientific racism’. The episodes also consider cross-cultural psychology and the rise of Afric-centric psychology, along with the differences between Eurocentric and Afric-centric approaches. Designed to be heard in conjunction with the printed notes with images, key terms and key thinkers.

An exploration of gender bias and feminist psychology. Are the differences between men and women real or a social construction? And what does this mean for psychology? Where does gender bias creep into research studies and theories and what is the future for psychology. Designed to be heard in conjunction with the accompanying notes with images, key terms and ket thinkers.

The cognitive approach and the emergence of cognitive neuroscience. Explores the journey of cognitive psychology from its emergence in the 1960s, through the work of Clark Hull and Edward Tolman, to modern cognitive neuroscience and brain scanning techniques via Gestalt psychology. Also contains a guest appearance by. certain dead salmon. Designed to be heard in conjunction with the accompanying notes, with images, key terms and key thinkers.

The evolutionary approach in psychology. This episode explores evolutionary explanations of modern human behaviour, an aspect of the biological approach focusing on genetic inheritance and the concept of the ‘selfish gene’. Considering the work of Charles Darwin, Richard Dawkins, David Buss and others, it explores sexual selection and human reproductive behaviour.Designed to be heard in conjunction with the accompanying notes with images, key terms and key thinkers.

The sociocultural approach in psychology. Covers the basic principles and assumptions of this approach, from its origins and early pioneers such as Norman Triplett, through Social Identity Theory and Realistic Conflict Theory, to the Asch paradigm and the work of Milgram and Zimbardo. The episode also explores the role of cultural dimensions and Berry’s work on acculturation plus real-life applications including the Korean Air 747 disaster of 1997. Designed to be heard in conjunction with the printed accompanying notes, with images, key terms and key thinkers.

The social learning or social cognitive approach in psychology. Covers the work of Albert Bandura and Walter Mischel, the famous Bobo doll study and current applications of social learning theory, including for health promotion programmes. Designed to be heard in association with the accompanying notes, including images, key terms and key thinkers.

The humanistic approach in psychology. Covers the emergence of humanistic psychology in the 1950s and the work of Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow and links to positive psychology. Designed to be heard in conjunction with the accompanying notes with images, key terms and key thinkers.

The biological approach in psychology. From phrenology, through the work of Paul Broca and Carl Wernicke, Gustav Fechner to modern brain scanning techniques, this episode explores the contribution of the biological approach to our understanding of human nature. Designed to be listened to in conjunction with with printed notes with images, key terms and key thinkers.

Sigmund Freud and the psychodynamic approach in psychology. Exploring Freud’s work along with his daughter Anna, basic principles and assumptions of the psychodynamic approach. Charcot and hypnosis, and the role of ego defence mechanisms. Designed to be accompanied by the episode guide with key terms, useful images and key thinkers.

William James, functionalism and the birth of the behavioural approach. Covers the influence of William James in America, the rejection of introspection as a method, Then the birth of the behavioural approach and the work of Thorndike, Watson and Skinner in developing the principles of the behavioural/learning approach. Exploring the early origins, this episode includes the work of WEB DuBois and Kenneth & Mamie Clark. Designed to be used in conjunction with the printed materials provided - key images, key terms and key thinkers.