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Psychology > 2.1: Approaches > Flashcards

2.1: Approaches Flashcards

1
Q

Name all 6 psychology approaches

A

behaviourist, social learning theory, cognitive, biological, humanistic and psychodynamic

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2
Q

Outline the key assumptions of the behaviourist approach

A
  • all behaviour is learnt (classical and operant conditioning)
  • only observable behaviour can be objectively and scientifically measured
  • there is no distinction between human and animal behaviour
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3
Q

What methods does the behaviourist approach use?

A

lab experiments, animal studies and observations

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4
Q

Outline the application for the behaviourist approach

A

systematic desensitisation and flooding are both effective for treating phobias based on behaviourist principles

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5
Q

Is the behaviourist approach deterministic or based on free will?

A

deterministic - behaviourists believe that the environment is the only determinant of behaviour

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6
Q

Is the behaviourist approach reductionist or holistic?

A

reductionist - they believe in isolating parts of complex behaviours to study. they also believe all behaviour can be broken down into processes of conditioning

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7
Q

Outline the key assumptions of the social learning theory

A
  • direct reinforcement could not account for all types of learning
  • learning can occur through observing and modelling
    + behaviourist assumptions
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8
Q

What methods does the social learning theory use?

A

lab experiments, observations e.g. the bobo doll study

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9
Q

Outline the application for the social learning theory

A
  • no therapy however it has proved to improve pro-social behaviour and understand the importance of role models and age restrictions
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10
Q

Is the social learning theory determinist or based on free will?

A

determinist - Bandura believes that the environment is the only determinant of behaviour

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11
Q

Is the social learning theory reductionist or holistic?

A

reductionist - Bandura believed in isolating parts of complex behaviours to study. he also believed all behaviour can be broken down into processes of conditioning

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12
Q

Outline the key assumptions of the cognitive approach

A
  • internal mental processes that are not observable directly can still be studied scientifically
  • we have to make inferences about what is going on
  • the minds works similarly to a data-processing machine/computer
  • schemas are a cognitive framework that we have embedded in us to use when reacting to something
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13
Q

What methods does the cognitive approach use?

A

lab experiments, self reports, correlations and case studies

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14
Q

Outline the application of the cognitive approach

A

therapies have been developed based on changing rational thought processes e.g. anger management and CBT are effectively used for anxiety or depression sufferers

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15
Q

Is the cognitive approach deterministic or based on free will?

A

‘soft’ deterministic - sees humans as able to reason and make conscious decisions within the limits of what they know

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16
Q

Is the cognitive approach reductionist or holistic?

A

reductionist - focuses on only cognitions and neglects other factors that may contribute to behaviour

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17
Q

Outline the key assumptions of the biological approach

A
  • all that is psychological is first physiological
  • genetics influence behaviour
  • chemical processes can also influence behaviour
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18
Q

What methods does the biological approach use?

A

brain scans, lab experiments, animal studies, correlations, case studies

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19
Q

Outline the application of the biological approach

A

therapies developed for psychological problems like OCD and schizophrenia and the approach can also be used to help explain anti-social behaviours like aggression

20
Q

Is the biological approach determinist or based on free will?

A

determinist - biological psychologists see our behaviour as caused entirely by biological factors over which we have control

21
Q

Is the biological approach reductionist or holistic?

A

reductionist - it aims at explaining all behaviour with the use of genetic or biochemical processes

22
Q

Outline the key assumptions of the psychodynamic approach

A
  • physical symptoms are caused by deep-rooted psychological problems within the unconscious mind
  • the unconscious mind influences behaviour
  • adult behaviour is influenced by childhood
23
Q

What method does the psychodynamic approach use?

A

case studies

24
Q

Outline the application of the psychodynamic approach

A

psychosexual psychotherapy: - used psychoanalysis to bring unconscious mental activity to the conscious mind to release anxiety
- features include dream analysis and word association

25
Q

Is the psychodynamic approach deterministic or free will?

A

deterministic - the approach rejects the idea of free will as it suggests a person’s behaviour is determined by their unconscious behaviours which are shaped by childhood experiences

26
Q

Is the psychodynamic approach reductionist or holistic?

A

reductionist - explains complex behaviours as manifestations or more primitive biological drives

27
Q

Outline the key assumptions of the humanistic approach

A
  • each person is unique, inherently good, has an innate tendency to self-actualise and can exercise free will
  • everyone has a hierarchy of needs
  • everyone has to be in a state of congruency before being able to self-actualise
28
Q

What methods does the humanistic approach use?

A

observations & case studies

29
Q

Outline the application of the humanistic approach

A

it has been influential in counseling as person-centered counseling is non-directive and individuals should be supported in finding solutions

30
Q

Is the humanistic approach deterministic or based on free will?

A

free will - humans have self-determination and free will and behaviour is not the result of any single cause

31
Q

Is the humanistic approach reductionist or holistic?

A

holistic - they consider the self a functioning whole

32
Q

Describe two strengths of the behaviourist approach

A
  • STRENGTH: uses strict scientific methods so has contributed to psychology’s status as a science
  • STRENGTH: useful in developing therapies e.g. systematic desensitisation so illustrates the positive contribution made by behaviourism
33
Q

Describe two limitations of the behaviourist approach

A
  • LIMITATION: generalisation to humans is limited therefore it could be too mechanistic a view
  • LIMITATION: individuals are at the mercy of the environment therefore emphasising environmental determinism leaving no room for free will
34
Q

Describe two strengths of the social learning theory

A
  • STRENGTH: addresses the influence of mediational processes on learning therefore offering a more comprehensive theory of behaviour
  • STRENGTH: has made a contribution to improving pro-social behaviour e.g. age restriction showing SLT has practical application
35
Q

Describe two limitations of the social learning theory

A
  • LIMITATION: still sees behaviour as environmentally determined whereas some behaviour may be innate (e.g. testosterone levels) suggesting SLT cannot provide a complete explanation of behaviour
  • LIMITATION: relies heavily on research conducted in artificial settings (e.g. the effect of demand characteristics) therefore we cannot say SLT is a valid explanation
36
Q

Describe two strengths of the cognitive approach

A
  • STRENGTH: there is a strong focus on scientific research contributing to the scientific credibility of psychology
  • STRENGTH: has led to the development of therapies based on irrational thought processes e.g. CBT and anger management showing cognitive psychology has practical application for dealing with atypical behaviour
37
Q

Describe two limitations of the cognitive approach

A
  • LIMITATION: direct observation of mental processes is not possible and must be inferred from therefore mistakes are easily made and conclusions may not be valid
  • LIMITATION: approach can be mechanistic in regarding human thinking as processing like the computer, leaving little room for explanation of irrationality in certain behaviours
38
Q

Describe two strengths of the biological approach

A
  • STRENGTH: it relies on supporting evidence from scientific methods, showing the techniques are objective and therefore conclusions are unbiased and more reliable
  • STRENGTH: has led to developing treatments for psychological problems
39
Q

Describe two limitations of the biological approach

A
  • LIMITATION: there is a difficulty in separating environmental and genetic influences in family and twin studies and we can therefore not say that genes are the only influence on behaviour making the explanation incomplete
  • LIMITATION: the approach is highly deterministic suggesting that we do not have free will, and therefore providing excuses for anti-social behaviour
40
Q

Describe two strengths of the psychodynamic approach

A

-STRENGTH: it has been extremely influential in understanding behaviour e.g. emphasis on childhood experiences and the use of qualitative data
- STRENGTH: led to the development of psychoanalysis suggesting the effective applications of the approach

41
Q

Describe two limitations of the psychodynamic approach

A
  • LIMITATION: it lacks scientific rigour and there is difficulty testing the concepts objectively meaning the theory can be falsified
  • LIMITATION: it can be argued to androcentric e.g. the emphasis on male development suggesting the approach is gender biased and incomplete
42
Q

Describe two strengths of the humanistic approach

A
  • STRENGTH: it is holistic, meaning the approach could be more valid than alternatives
  • STRENGTH: it has had influence in counseling (client-led)
43
Q

Outline Wundt’s assumptions

A
  • aspects of the mind could be observed and measured in controlled conditions
  • introspection could be used to study the inner mental processes of a person by using accounts of their experiences
  • the mind could be studied empirically with experiments
44
Q

Describe a strength of Wundt’s work

A
  • STRENGTH: contributed to the development of scientific methods meaning we can establish cause and effect
45
Q

Describe two limitations of Wundt’s work

A
  • LIMITATION: his results could not be reproduced making the results unreliable
  • LIMITATION: introspection is not objective as the processes measured are subjective and unobservable meaning the results would not be valid

Psychology (12 decks)

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