approaches

Question 1

assumptions of behaviourism learning approach

Answer 1

• all behaviours are learnt from out environment
• animals and humans learn in the same way so behaviourists carry out experiments on animals and extrapolate the results to humans
• psychology should be scientific and objective therefore behaviourists use mainly laboratory experiments to achieve this

Question 2

behaviourist approach

determinism

Answer 2

hard determinism
all behaviour is determined by our environment. we are passive and have little free will

Question 3

behaviourist approach

classical conditioning definition

Answer 3

classical conditioning is learning through association which was first demonstrated by Ivan Pavlov. It is learning through that happens unconsciously. When you learn through classical conditioning, an automatic conditioned response is paired with a specific stimulus. This creates a behaviour.

Question 4

behaviourist approach

what is the process of conditioning

Answer 4

classical conditioning is a process of learning by associating two stimuli together to learn a response. UCS produces a UCR (before conditioning), NS is associated with the UCS (during conditioning), NS produces a CR (after conditioning).

Question 5

behaviourist approach

classical conditioning (AO1)

Answer 5

Classical conditioning is learning through association which was first demonstrated by Ivan Pavlov. It is learning that happens unconsciously. When you learn through classical conditioning, an automatic conditioned response is paired with a specific stimulus. This creates a behaviour.

process of conditioning

classical conditioning is a process of learning by associating two stimuli together to learn a response. UCS produces a UCR (before conditioning). NS is associated with the UCS (during conditioning). NS produces a CR (after conditioning).

Pavlov showed that dogs could be conditioned to salivate at the sound of a bell if that sound was repeatedly presented at the same time they were given food. First the dogs were presented with the food, they salivated. The food was the unconditioned stimulus and salivation was the unconditioned response. Then Pavlov sounded the bell which is the neutral stimulus before giving the food. After ringing the bell a few times, the dog salivated when they heard the bell even when no food was given. The bell had not become a conditioned stimulus and salivation and become the conditioned response. The dogs had learnt to associate the bell with the food and the sound of the bell and salivation was triggered by the sound of the bell.

Question 6

behaviourist approach
operant conditioning

positive reinforcement definition

Answer 6

receiving a reward

Question 7

behaviourist approach
operant conditioning

negative reinforcement definition

Answer 7

occurs when performing an action stops something unpleasant from happening

Question 8

behaviourist approach
operant conditioning

punishment definition

Answer 8

an unpleasant consequence

Question 9

behaviourist approach
operant conditioning (AO1)

Answer 9

skinner argued that learning is an active process. when humans and animals act on and in their environment consequences follow these behaviours. if the consequences are pleasant they repeat the behaviour but if the consequences are unpleasant they do not repeat the behaviour. In the Skinner Box experiment, a hungry rat was placed in a cage. Every time he activated the lever a food pellet fell in the food dispenser. This is a positive reinforcement. The rats quickly learnt to go straight to he level after a few times of being put in the box. This suggests that positive reinforcement increases the likelihood of the behaviour being repeated. In another experiment, a rat was placed in a cage in which they were subjected to an uncomfortable electrical current as he moved around the cage the rat hit the lever, this immediately switched off the electrical current. This is negative reinforcement. The rats quickly learnt to go straight to the lever after a few times of being put in the box. This suggests that negative reinforcement increases the likelihood of the behaviour being repeated.

Question 10

behaviourist approach

strength (AO3)

Answer 10

experimental support: Pavlov showed that classical conditioning leads to learning by association. For example, Watson and Rayner classically conditioned an 11 month old boy (Little Albert) to fear rats by presenting them with a loud noise.This is a strength because the fact that Little Albert learned to fear white fluffy animals supports the role of Classical Conditioning in learning behaviour.

introduced scientific methods to psychology: Laboratory experiments were used with high control of extraneous variables. These experiments were replicable and the data obtained was objective (not influenced by an individual’s judgement or opinion) and measurable. This gave it more credibility.

had many useful practical applications: for example, this approach has allowed psychologists to develop successful therapies for treating abnormalities which require individuals to unlearn their disorder using the principles of classical conditioning. This is a strength because, the fact that flooding is such a successful treatment shows that if behaviours can be unlearned through classical conditioning then other behaviours that individuals learned must have developed through classical conditioning.

Question 11

behaviourist approach

weakness (AO3)

Answer 11

animals not humans - Many of the experiments carried out were done on animals; we are different cognitively and physiologically, humans have different social norms and moral values these mediate the effects of the environment therefore we might behave differently from animals so the laws and principles derived from these experiments might apply more to animals than to humans. can’t extrapolate

reductionist- it attempts to reduce all aspects of human behaviour down to just one level of explanation.For example, the Behavioural approach reduces complex behaviours down to learning through our environment through association and rewards and punishment. This is a weakness because, the behavioural theory is an over-simplification of complex human behaviours. Surely our behaviour must be a product of nurture (experiences in our environment) and nature (our own biology, e.g. genes).

Question 12

what is the social approach

Answer 12

this theory was developed by Albert Bandura. Bandura proposed SLT, sometimes called ‘observational learning’ which looks at how we learn by observing other people and imitating them, without conditioning.
Social learning theory is concerned with how people learn when they observe others. It can be seen as a bridge between the behaviourist approach and the cognitive approach.

Question 13

Social approach

assumptions (AO1)

Answer 13

• humans learning is explained through observational learning or modelling, which involves identification, imitation and reinforcement
• meditating cognitive factors play an important role in observational learning. these include attention, retention, reproduction and motivation
• in vicarious reinforcement, reproduction of behaviour can be motivated when learners observe role models receiving reinforcement
• the majority of social learning theory research involves laboratory experiments in which quantifiable behaviour is observed.

Question 14

social approach

learning by observation (AO1)

Answer 14

observational learning takes place in 4 steps:

1. the behaviour must be modelled which means it must be carried out by a role model like a parent, friend or celebrity
2. the observer must identify with the role model - normally because they are similar in appearance, gender, interests etc.
3. the behaviour must be observed (mediational process) :
   - attention: how much you concentrate on the model showing the behaviour
   - retention - storing the behaviour you have witnessed
   - reproduction - copying the behaviour you witnessed
   - motivation - good reason to show the witnessed behaviour
4. the behaviour is imitated

Question 15

social approach

learning by observation (AO1)
what is mediational process

Answer 15

• attention: how much you concentrate on the model showing the behaviour
• retention - storing the behaviour you have witnessed
• reproduction - copying the behaviour you witnessed
• motivation - good reason to show the witnessed behaviour

Question 16

social approach

determinism

Answer 16

reciprocal determinism. soft determinism.

as well as being influenced by our environment, we also exert some influence upon it in return

Question 17

social approach

Bandura’s “Bobo Doll” studies: imitative learning (AO1)

Answer 17

The experiment’s aim to investigate whether aggression can be learned through social learning theory principles.

72 children aged between 3 and 6 years old were put into one of three groups for 10 minutes.

The first group is ‘aggressive model’ - the child played in a room while an adult hit and shouted at a “Bobo doll”: a plastic inflatable toy doll which was heavy at the bottom and wobbled when hit. This group was further sub-divided by the gender of the child and the adult model.

In the ‘non aggressive model group’, the child played in a room while an adult played quietly with a construction set. This group was further sub-divided once again by the gender of the child and the adult model.

In the control group, the child did not see a model.

The children were deliberately frustrated by being taken int another room where they were told that they could not play with any toys. Then, they were placed alone in a room with a range of aggressive toys and non-aggressive toys and the Bobo doll for twenty minutes whilst being observed.

The results showed that children who saw the aggressive model produced more aggressive acts than those in either of the other two groups. Boys imitated same-sex models more than girls. Girls imitated more physical aggression if they saw male models, and more verbal aggression if they saw female models. Therefore, aggressive behaviour can be learned, in children, through observation and imitation of a model.

Question 18

social approach

strength (AO3)

Answer 18

application to real world issues - It has long been a feature in explanations of criminal behaviour (Sykes and Matza, 1957) and recent research has continued that focus (Akers, 1998). It has also been used to examine and evaluate the effectiveness of advertising: Andsager et al. (2006)found that ‘identification with a character or example may increase the likelihood that audiences will model behaviour presented in an anti-alcohol message’. Consequently, the principles of SLT can be used to provide a positive impact on promotional health campaigns, and indirectly help combat problem behaviours like alcoholism.

Question 19

social approach

weakness (AO3)

Answer 19

issue of causality - It is not clear if people learn behaviour from models, or if they seek out models who exhibit behaviour or attitudes they already favour. Siegel and McCormick (2006), for example, argue that young people who hold deviant values and attitudes are more likely to associate with similarly-inclined peers because they are more fun to be with, and thus the reinforcement of ‘deviant’ behaviour is a two-way process and not necessarily the result of SLT itself. Also, SLT struggles to explain complex behaviours like gender development. Children are exposed to a whole host of influences when growing up, and these different influences interact in a complex way. Consequently, it is difficult to distinguish behaviours that develop because of SLT from the many other factors that contribute to human behaviour, which poses an issue for the social learning explanation of behaviour.

The SLT ignores developmental milestones - Such development stages typically occur irrespective of the environmental setting. The SLT does not account for behaviour when there is no role model. Negative behaviour such as criminal activities can occur without prior exposure to such behaviour.

Question 20

the cognitive approach

what is the cognitive approach

Answer 20

the cognitive approach is focused on how mental processes affect our behaviour. It argues that internal mental processes should be studied scientifically. Cognitive psychology has been influenced by developments in computer science and analogies are often made between how a computer works and how we process information. Cognitive psychology is interested in how the brain inputs, stores and retrieves information.

Question 21

the cognitive approach

assumptions (AO1)

Answer 21

• information received from our senses is processed by the brain and that this processing directs how we behave
• those internal mental processes cannot be observed directly but we can infer what a person is thinking based on how they act.
• schemas are mental structures that contain knowledge about objects and people derived from experience
• schemas play an important role in reconstructive memory

Question 22

cognitive approach

determinism

Answer 22

soft determinism

argues we are free to choose what we think about and how we behave, but that it only operates within out existing approach

Question 23

cognitive approach

the study of internal mental processes (AO1)

Answer 23

using experimental research methods, the cognitive approach studies internal mental processes such as attention, memory and decision-making. For example, an investigation might compare the abilities of groups to memorize a list of words, presenting them either verbally or visually to infer which type of sensory information is easiest to process, and could further investigate whether or not this changes with different word types or individuals

different models - proposed to attempt to explain and infer information about mental processes

• information processing model - describes the model as if a computer, in terms of the relationship between income information to be encoded, manipulating this mentally, and consequently directing an output. An example might be an artist looking at a picturesque landscape, deciding which paint colour suits a given area, before brushing the selected colour onto a canvas.
• computational model - compares with a computer, but focuses more on how we structure the process of reaching the behavioural output, without specifying when/how much information is dealt with.
• connectionist model - it looks at the mind as a complex network of neurons, which activate in regular configurations that characterize known associations between stimuli.

Question 24

cognitive approach

what are the three different models proposed to attempt to explain and infer information about mental processes

Answer 24

information processing model
computational model
connectionist model

Question 25

cognitive approach

the role of schemas (AO1)

Answer 25

an internal ‘script’ for how to act or what to expect from a given situation. For example, gender schemas assume how males/females behave and how is best to respond accordingly. e.g. a child may assume that all boys enjoy playing football. schemas are like stereotypes, and alter mental processing of incoming information.

Question 26

cognitive approach

strength (AO3)

Answer 26

• models have presented a useful means to help explain internal mental processes
• the approach provides a strong focus on internal mental processes, which behaviourists before did not
• the experimental methods used by the approach are considered scientific.

Question 27

cognitive approach

weakness (AO3)

Answer 27

• depends largely on controlled experiments to observe human behaviour which may lack ecological validity.
• does not take into account genetic factors; for example hereditary correlations of mental disorders
• reductionist to an extent, although case studies are taken into account, the behavioural approach attempts to apply the scientific view to human behaviour, which may be argued to be unique to each individual.

Question 28

biological approach

what is the biological approach

Answer 28

The biological approach attempts to explain behaviour as the direct product of interactions within the body. The biological approach assumes that all human behaviour has biological origins and is innate.

Question 29

biological approach

basic assumptions (AO1)

Answer 29

• we are influenced by our genetic make-up and genetic inheritance
• influenced by our central nervous system. According to the biological approach the brain is essential for thought and behaviour to occur
• influenced by our chemical processes such as the functioning of the brain. For example an imbalance of chemicals can lead to mental disorders such as bipolar
• humans have evolved through evolution, therefore we have much in common with animals

Question 30

biological approach

determinism

Answer 30

biological determinism
hard determinism

much of our behaviour is determined by innate influences
very little free will

Question 31

biological approach

genetic factors (AO1)

Answer 31

Behavioural characteristics are caused by our genes. These are found on chromosomes, which are made up of DNA, and they are inherited from our parents. If a family member has a certain trait, you are more likely to have the same trait. People inherit a predisposition to behave in a certain way.

Question 32

biological approach

evolution and the genetic basis of behaviour (AO1)

Answer 32

Charles Darwin described the process of natural selection; characteristics that are not studied to a species’ environment will die out as it struggles to survive, and with time will evolve over generations so that only adaptive characteristics remain in future offspring. Genes are the genetic information carried by DNA in chromosomes, found within a cell’s nucleus; they are passed on through generations of a species if individuals survive and successfully reproduce. In line with Darwin’s theory of evolution, it might also follow that genes form a basis of behaviour, as both behaviour and genes appear to be heritable. An example might be aggressive behaviour, in light of obvious survival benefits such as waring off predators and competing for resources

Question 33

biological approach

nature-nurture debate (AO1)

Answer 33

the genotype describes the genetic configuration of an individual, whereas phenotype describes the combined effects of genetic makeup and surrounding environment on behaviour. the nature-nurture debate highlights a key argument in psychology, over the relative influence of biology and environment on the characteristics of an individual; an extreme biological approach assumes that these are determined solely by nature.

Question 34

biological approach

research methods used by the biological approach (AO1)

Answer 34

animal studies - used to investigate biological mechanisms that govern human behaviour, often where ethical guidelines would not allow human participation. many species (e.g. rats) are thought to have a similar biological makeup to humans such that studies conclusions can be generalised to humans. However, this methodology still raises ethical debate, and some argue that complex human behaviour cannot be replicated in non-human animals.

scans - physiology and activity across the brain can be gauged using various techniques (e.g. MRI, PET, CAT), helping researchers to identify the functions of specific regions.

twin/family studies - they are useful for investigating the heritability of behaviour. For instance, research can investigate the likelihood that both of two twins develop a characteristic, known as concordance rate. However, these studies can be time consuming, due to long delays often required before follow-up data is collected

Question 35

biological approach

what are three different research methods used

Answer 35

animal studies
scans
twin/family studies

Question 36

biological approach

strengths (AO3)

Answer 36

scanning research techniques - useful for investigating the functions of the brain: an organ with obvious involvement in our behaviour that would otherwise be unobservable

very scientific - the experiments used are measurable, objective and can be repeated to test for reliability

real world application - can make medicine

Question 37

biological approach

weakness (AO3)

Answer 37

reductionist - oversimplifies humans and our physiology. other factors may influence our behaviour, and one biological treatment may not help those affected by external issues

doesn’t consider individual differences - people may be biologically similar but not identical, so it cannot really be assumed that a biological treatment will work best for the majority. There can be differences in gender, ethnicity and neurodiversity that may mean biological approaches cannot be generalised to the whole population so easily.

Question 38

psychodynamic approach

what is the psychodynamic approach

Answer 38

Freud theorised that our mental activity is mostly unconscious, and it is this unconscious activity that causes our behaviour. He explained that traumatic childhood experiences pushed into the unconscious mind can later lead to mental disorders, and developed ‘talking cures’ to help release problematic repressed memories and relieve symptoms.

Question 39

psychodynamic approach

assumptions (AO1)

Answer 39

• psychological disorders are caused by emotional problems in the unconscious mind
• the causes of these emotional problems can usually be traced back to early childhood
• the relationship between child and parents is a crucial determinant of mental health

Question 40

psychodynamic approach

determinism

Answer 40

psychic determinism
hard determinism

unconscious drives dictate our behaviour
free will is seen as an illusion

Question 41

psychodynamic approach

freuds triparite model of personality (AO1)

what are the three levels of awareness in human consciousness

Answer 41

conscious
preconscious
unconscious

Question 42

psychodynamic approach

freuds triparite model of personality (AO1)

Answer 42

conscious - the part of the mind we are aware of -everyday thoughts and feelings

(freudian slips - proof of the unconscious, an error in speech, memory or physical action that is interpreted as occurring due to the interference of an unconscious subdued wish or internal train of thought)

preconscious - thoughts and memories not accessible at all times, but easily recalled

unconscious - the deep dark shameful part. repressed thoughts, memories and feelings

Question 43

psychodynamic approach

freuds triparite model of personality (AO1)

what are the three roles of the unconscious

Answer 43

the id
the ego
the superego

Question 44

psychodynamic approach

freuds triparite model of personality (AO1)
the role of the unconscious

Answer 44

the id - (exists from birth) the id operates via the pleasure principal. driving us to satisfy selfish urges. Innate instincts such as the need for food, water, warmth and sexual desires originate in our id. In a sense, the id is our ‘inner child’ - it drives our instinctive behaviour from birth and expects its demands to be met immediately, regardless of any consequences. this drive may lead to aggression and violence if not satisfied.

the ego - (develops years 2-4) operates on the reality principal. acts rationally, balancing the id and the superego. it tries to satisfy the needs of the id as much as is practically possible without necessarily understanding why some demands might be unreasonable.

the superego - (develops years 4-5) concerned with keeping to moral norms and attempts to control a powerful id with feelings of guilt. this feels compassion for others and tries to satisfy the needs of the id, but understands that some of those needs may adversely affect others.

Question 45

psychodynamic approach

freuds triparite model of personality (AO1)

healthy psyche definition

Answer 45

when the ego has taken in charge

Question 46

psychodynamic approach

freuds triparite model of personality (AO1)

neurotic definition

Answer 46

when the superego has taken in charge

Question 47

psychodynamic approach

freuds triparite model of personality (AO1)

psychotic definition

Answer 47

when the id has taken in charge

Question 48

psychodynamic approach

freuds triparite model of personality (AO1)

psychopathic definition

Answer 48

only id

Question 49

psychodynamic approach

freuds triparite model of personality (AO1)

what is the phrase for: when the ego has taken in charge

Answer 49

healthy psyche

Question 50

psychodynamic approach

freuds triparite model of personality (AO1)

what is the phrase for: when the superego has taken in charge

Answer 50

neurotic

Question 51

psychodynamic approach

freuds triparite model of personality (AO1)

what is the phrase for: when the id has taken in charge

Answer 51

psychotic

Question 52

psychodynamic approach

freuds triparite model of personality (AO1)

what is the phrase for: only id

Answer 52

psychopathic

Question 53

psychodynamic approach

psychosexual stages (AO1)
what are the five psychosexual stages

Answer 53

the oral stage
the anal stage
the phallic stage
the latency period
the genital stage

Question 54

psychodynamic approach

psychosexual stages (AO1)

what age is the oral stage

Answer 54

age 0-1 year

Question 55

psychodynamic approach

psychosexual stages (AO1)

what age is the anal stage

Answer 55

age 1-3 year

Question 56

psychodynamic approach

psychosexual stages (AO1)

what age is the phallic stage

Answer 56

age 3-5 years

Question 57

psychodynamic approach

psychosexual stages (AO1)

what age is the latency period

Answer 57

age 6 years to puberty

Question 58

psychodynamic approach

psychosexual stages (AO1)

what age is the genital stage

Answer 58

12 years

Question 59

psychodynamic approach

psychosexual stages (AO1)

the oral stage

Answer 59

The focus of pleasure for the child is the mother; mothers breast is the object of desire. According to Freud if you were orally ‘passive’ or stagnant you may grow to be orally aggressive. If fixation occurs at this stage, Freud believed that this child could manifest as drinking/alcohol, smoking, eating addictions, or nail biting etc.

Question 60

psychodynamic approach

psychosexual stages (AO1)

the anal stage

Answer 60

The focus is the anus, as the child learns to respond to some of the demands of society (eg. bladder and bowel control). The major conflict at this stage is potty training, developing control over bodily functions associated with potty training leads to a huge sense of accomplishment. Fixation at this stage can lead to an individual developing either an anal retentive or expulsive personality type - this ultimately may lead to the development of mild OCD.

Question 61

psychodynamic approach

psychosexual stages (AO1)

the phallic stage

Answer 61

During this part of development, a child starts to notice their gender and the key differences between males and females. The child focuses its desires on its opposite sex parent and wants to subconsciously ‘get rid of’ the same sex parent so they can have the object of their desire all to themselves. Freud state the presence of the:

• oedipus complex - boys feel guilt over their unconscious sexual desires for their mothers and feeling of threat/punishment from fathers for holding such a desire
• electra complex - girls feel a guilt over their unconscious sexual desires from their fathers and feeling of threat/punishment from mother for holding such desires.

Fixation at this stage is said to be linked to narcissism, recklessness and homosexuality.

Question 62

psychodynamic approach

psychosexual stages (AO1)

the phallic stage - what are the different complex’s

Answer 62

oedipus complex
electra complex

Question 63

psychodynamic approach

psychosexual stages (AO1)

the phallic stage - oedipus complex

Answer 63

boys feel guilt over their unconscious sexual desires for their mothers and feeling of threat/punishment from fathers for holding such a desire

Question 64

psychodynamic approach

psychosexual stages (AO1)

the phallic stage - electra complex

Answer 64

girls feel a guilt over their unconscious sexual desires from their fathers and feeling of threat/punishment from mother for holding such desires.

Question 65

psychodynamic approach

psychosexual stages (AO1)

the latency period

Answer 65

At this stage, earlier conflicts are temporarily repressed. Freud thought that most sexual impulses are repressed during the latent stage and sexual energy can be sublimated towards school work, hobbies, and friendships.

Question 66

psychodynamic approach

psychosexual stages (AO1)

the genital stage

Answer 66

sexual desire emerge alongside puberty. An individual becomes interested in dating and marriage. If an individual has progressed through the order stages successfully this individual should be well balanced. Signs of fixation at this stage; guild about sexuality, feelings of inadequacy, poor sexual relations and anxious feelings regarding the opposite sex.

Question 67

psychodynamic approach

strength (AO3)

Answer 67

focuses on the effects that childhood experiences have on the developing personality - this is a strength because Freud was the first psychologist to realise the importance of childhood. It also led to other psychological including Piaget developing theories on childhood. Freud concluded that the study of Little Hansprovided support for his theory of psychosexual development and childhood sexuality, including the idea that boys in the phallic stage experience the Oedipus complex

practical applications - the psychodynamic approach brought with it a new dynamic type of therapy psychoanalysis. Freudian therapists have claimed that success with many patients. This is a strength because it provides individuals and therapists alternative options to consider when attempting to treat a patient, which might mean a greater chance of recover

Question 68

psychodynamic approach

weakness (AO3)

Answer 68

criticised for being deterministic - for example, the approach believes that if an individual gets too much or too little pleasure at a stage of psychosexual development that it will impact on adult behaviour, pre-programming them to behaviour in a specific way. This is a weakness because, the psychodynamic approach can be criticised for not taking free will into consideration

does not advocate the use of scientific methods - for example, psychodynamic concepts such as the Oediups and Electra complex cannot be scientifically tested with scans or carefully constructed experiments. This is a weakness because it means that the psychodynamic theory cannot be objectively and scientifically measured and therefore objective

Question 69

humanistic approach

what is the humanistic approach

Answer 69

an approach that emphasises the study of the whole person and sees people as being active in their own development. It is a person-centred approach, which views every individual as unique and regards personal growth and fulfilment in life as a basic human motive.

The humanistic approach claims that humans are essentially self-determining and have free will.

Question 70

humanistic approach

assumptions (AO1)

Answer 70

• humans have free will; personal agency
• all individuals are unique and have an innate drive to achieve their maximum potential
• psychology should study the individual case (idiographic) rather than the average performance of groups (nomothetic)
• humans are subjective in how they behave, science is objective

Question 71

humanistic approach

determinism

Answer 71

free will determinism
only approach that believes humans have complete free will and operate as active agents who determine their own behaviour

Question 72

humanistic approach

self-actualisation and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs (AO1)

Answer 72

Self actualisation represents that uppermost level of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Maslow considered that whilst everyone has the desire to, not everyone achieves self-actualisation. Self actualisation is a concept regarding the process by which an individual reaches his or her full potential.

It’s considered that self-actualisation can be achieved in stages. The 4 most basic needs an individual that must be attained before someone can work towards self-actualisation is physiological needs such as food, water and warmth; safety needs such as security and safety, belongingness and love needs such as imitate relationship and friends; esteem needs such as feeling of accomplishment.

Question 73

humanistic approach

self-actualisation and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs (AO1)

what are the five stages in his hierarchy of needs

Answer 73

physiological needs
safety needs
belongingness and long needs
esteem needs
self-actualisation

Question 74

humanistic approach

focus on the self and congruence (AO1)

Answer 74

In order to self-actualise and grow as person, the individual’s concept of self must be almost equivalent to their ideal self. If the gap between the two is big, the person will be in a state of incongruence and self-actualisation wont be possible, this is because incongruence breads negative feelings of self-worth.

Rogers believe that the issues adults experience such as feelings of worthlessness and low self-esteem have roots in their childhood. He suggested that these issues can be explained by a lack of unconditional positive regard from the parents and that the parents hadn’t provided unconditional love. Parents who set boundaries, limits and conditions on their love for their child stores up psychological issues for later life, e.g. of conditional love ‘I will only love you if you behave well’.

In order to reduce the gap between the concept of self and the ideal self, Rogers developed client-centred therapy to help people cope with the problems of everyday living. It is a non-directive therapy where the client is encouraged towards the discovery of their own solutions within a warm, non-judgemental therapeutic atmosphere. An effective therapist should be able to provide their clients with the unconditional positive regard. The aim is to increase a person’s feelings of self-worth and reduce incongruence.

Question 75

humanistic approach

strength (AO3)

Answer 75

not deterministic - for example, according to this approach an individual has the ability to determine their own development. This is a strength because it means that this approach to human behaviour doesn’t reduce human behaviour down to simple pre-programmed behaviours, instead it considers the individuals ability to determine their own behaviour.

not reductionist - for example, humanists reject any attempt to break up behaviour and experience into smaller components. This is a strength because it means that the approach may have much more validity that its alternatives by considering meaningful human behaviour within its real-life context

Question 76

humanistic approach

weakness (AO3)

Answer 76

evidence to criticise the humanistic approach - for example, many qualities considered desirable by the approach are more readily associated with an individualistic rather than collectivist culture. This is a weaknesses because the approach can be considered to be ethnocentric and culturally bias.

criticised for having limited applications - for example, the approach is described as a loose set of components rather than a comprehensive theory. This is a weakness because whilst its revolutionised counselling therapy the approach has had little impact on psychology generally.