Psych Notes Summarised PDF
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This document summarises key concepts in psychology, including social learning theory, social explanations of crime, forensic psychology, and a comparison of psychopaths and sociopaths. It details the key processes of social learning theory and factors contributing to crime, along with definitions and descriptions of forensic and criminal psychology.
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Psych Notes Summarised Social Learning Theory \- \*\*Learning Behaviours\*\*: Behaviours are acquired by observing and imitating role models, also known as observational learning. \- \*\*Key Processes\*\*: \- \*\*Attention\*\*: Focus on the model\'s actions and their outcomes. \- \*\*Retention\...
Psych Notes Summarised Social Learning Theory \- \*\*Learning Behaviours\*\*: Behaviours are acquired by observing and imitating role models, also known as observational learning. \- \*\*Key Processes\*\*: \- \*\*Attention\*\*: Focus on the model\'s actions and their outcomes. \- \*\*Retention\*\*: Storing learned behaviours in memory. \- \*\*Reproduction\*\*: Ability to replicate observed behaviours physically and intellectually. \- \*\*Motivation\*\*: Desire to imitate depends on expected rewards or consequences (reinforcement/punishment). \- \*\*Example\*\*: A peer group influences Emma to imitate popular students' behaviours to gain social approval, despite initial hesitation. \-\-- Social Explanations of Crime \- \*\*Contributing Factors\*\*: \- \*\*Family Dynamics\*\*: Parental criminality, poor parenting, and family violence. \- \*\*Education\*\*: Non-participation and low education levels lead to limited employment opportunities. \- \*\*Economic Status\*\*: Poverty and unemployment correlate with property crimes. \- \*\*Peer Influence\*\*: Peer pressure and antisocial groups can influence criminal behaviours. \- \*\*Substance Use\*\*: Alcohol and drug use may increase criminal tendencies. \- \*\*Example\*\*: Maria shoplifts under peer pressure and financial hardship to fit in and maintain her self-image. Forensic Psychology \- \*\*Definition\*\*: Application of psychological principles to the legal system, assessing suspects, victims, and witnesses to aid legal outcomes. Criminal Psychology \- \*\*Focus\*\*: Understanding the thoughts, intentions, actions, and motivations of individuals engaged in criminal behaviour. Offender Profiling \- \*\*Purpose\*\*: Helps identify suspects by analysing physiological and psychological traits. \- \*\*Steps\*\*: Analyse evidence, victimology, crime scene, develop a profile, apprehend the offender. \-\-- Psychopaths vs Sociopaths \- \*\*Psychopathy\*\*: More dangerous than sociopathy, lacks empathy, has shallow relationships, and engages in manipulative behaviour. \- \*\*Sociopathy\*\*: Characterized by impulsivity, anger, and hostility. Lacks conscience and empathy, often has difficulty maintaining relationships. Major Regions of the Brain \- \*\*Forebrain\*\*: Involved in higher cognitive functions. \- \*\*Cerebrum\*\*: Manages conscious thought. \- \*\*Corpus Callosum\*\*: Connects brain hemispheres. \- \*\*Hypothalamus\*\*: Regulates basic survival functions (sleep, hunger, emotions). \- \*\*Thalamus\*\*: Processes sensory information (except smell). \- \*\*Cerebral Cortex\*\*: Responsible for abstract thinking, problem-solving, and planning.
