APPROACHES Flashcards
Cognitive approach
Refers to mental processes; memory, language, perception and attention. Compares human mind to computer- info enters mind as input, processed and stored, later used again responding to situations as output.
Main assumption is that how we think & internal processes is central in explaining how we behave.
Social approach
Looks at how individual acts in group and whether group dynamix change behaviour. Considers conformity in individual & how humans conform to others.
Assumes other people and surrounding environment are major influences on individual’s behaviour, thought processes & emotions.
Developmental approach
Emphasises importance of changes in behaviour through lifespan- focus particularly on cognitive, social, intellectual dev. Such changes result from interactions of nature & nurture. Focuses how behaviours; emotions, moral development & thinking, develop overtime. Some development happens in pre-determined stages. Also assumes events that happen to us in early life can have long term effect on our development.
Biological approach
Assumes biological mechanisms, brain functions & genetics play key role in explaining behaviour.
Uses highly scientific methods to understand biological processes i.e brain plasticity/ activity.
Reductionist and deterministic view-assumes all behaviour determined through biological processes out of our control.
Individual differences approach
All humans unique individuals who differ in intelligence, personality, lifestyles. Differences make difficult to categorise behaviour. Some behaviours normal some abnormal- difficult to define.
Mainly assumes there are differences between people in any group on terms of personal qualities, ways they respond to situations, their behaviour etc…
This approach believes examining differences rather than similarities is most revealing when understanding people.
Main focus- categorise & identify different types of abnormality.
