Approaches AO3 Flashcards
Strength of Wundt and Introspection
Used systematic and well controlled methods. Lab environment allowed for high levels of control and control of extraneous variables. Used standardised procedures allowing research to be forerunner of later scientific approaches.
Weaknesses of Wundt/Introspection
- Other elements consisted of unscientific tools. Self reporting mental processes resulted in subjective data. ppts could have hidden undesirable thoughts. Difficult to establish meaningful laws of behaviour.
- Can’t be used to study many different aspects of human behaviour. Children/animals can’t be studied due to limited capacity to express thoughts/feelings/emotions. Use and application limited.
Strength of Behaviourist Approach
Experimental research support. Skinner’s study was lab exp so high level of control and control of extraneous variables. Makes approach more likely to be reliable and valid.
Weaknesses of Behaviourist Approach
- Heavy reliance on animal studies. Skinner used rats for operant conditioning, Pavlov used dogs for classical conditioning. Animals are biologically and cognitively different to humans so we can’t extrapolate results to human behaviour as it may not be valid to do so.
- Doesn’t take into account biological factors. E.G. genetic factors. Environmentally reductionist and doesn’t take into account other influences so may only be partial exp.
Strength of Social Learning Theory
Research support. Bandura found children with aggressive adult more likely to imitate aggressive behaviour compared to children with non-aggressive adult. Repeatable study which increases reliability of theory.
Weaknesses of Social Learning Theory
- Over reliance on evidence from lab studies. Children may have had demand characteristics as dolls meant to be hit so children may be acting in a way they thought was expected. Theory less applicable to everyday life as children may learn aggression differently.
- Underestimates influence of biological factors. Boys more aggressive than girls can be explained by testosterone levels which is linked to aggression. Not comprehensive explanation as other factors need consideration.
Strengths of Cognitive Approach
- Research support through lab exps. Exps always conducted with high level of control of extraneous variables which allows researchers to infer cognitive processes at work. This makes the stufy of the mind more objective and it establishes a credible scientific basis.
- Real life applications. Cognitive research into effect of leading questions on EWT has lead to reduced use of EWT in court cases. It has also lead to more cognitive interviews and has helped improve mental illness treatments. made concrete contributions to contemporary society and has developed professional understanding in many fields.
Weakness of Cognitive Approach
Uses analogy of computer. Known as machine reductionism which ignores influence of emotion and motivation on cognitive system. Emotional factors do affect human memory which shows wider reasons for why humans remember need to be studied.
Strengths of Biological Approach
- Uses range of precise and scientific methods. Scanning techniques, twin studies and drugs trials can all be used to accurately measure biological and neural processes without bias. Increased reliability based on reliable data.
- Real life applications. Psychoactive drugs developed can treat mental illnesses such as depression, revolutionising treatment for many patients. Sufferers are able to manage their condition and live a relatively normal life.
Weakness of Biological Approach
Reductionist as it attempts to reduce human behaviour to one explanations. Behaviour explained by physical processes such as neurotransmitters . Underestimates role of environment.
Strength of Psychodynamic Approach
Freudian psychoanalytic techniques still used in modern day psychiatry. Free association and dream analysis used in various therapeutic contexts. Ongoing relevance demonstrates lasting impact of Freud’s ideas on contemporary therapeutic practices.
Weaknesses of Psychodynamic Approach
- Research support difficult to generalise. Findings from individual case studies may not be representative of larger populations. Hard to draw broad conclusions from psychodynamic research, potentially undermining approach’s applicability to diverse contexts and populations.
- Freud’s ideas non-falsifiable. Unconscious mind can’t be directly observed or tested, making validation difficult. This raises significant questions about approach’s status within psychology. May diminish credibility of Freud’s theories in eyes of scientific community, limiting acceptance and application.
Strength of Humanistic Approach
Not reductionist. Advocates holism, the idea that subjective experience can only be understood by considering the whole person. More validity than other approaches by considering meaningful human behaviour within its real life context.
Weaknesses of Humanistic Approach
- Cultural bias. Ideas such as individual freedom and autonomy more readily associated with individualist cultures in the western world such as USA than in collectivist cultures such as India. Approach won’t travel well and is product of cultural context in which it was developed.
- Limited application. Limited impact within discipline of psychology as a whole due to approach lacking a sound evidence base and is not a comprehensive theory but is described as a loose set of rather abstract concepts.
