APPROACHES AO3 Flashcards
2 strengths of the psychodynamic approach
1) Introduced psychotherapy: first attempt to treat mental issues psychologically, not physically. Forerunner to modern “talking therapies” e.g. counselling. HOWEVER does not help all disorders e.g. Schizophrenia
2) Explanatory power: can explain Freudian slips (parapaxes) and some phobias, also first to link early experiences with personality + behaviour
2 weaknesses of the psychodynamic approach
1) Theory not falsifiable: Popper argued it is pseudoscience, as psychodynamic cannot be disproved as it is impossible to test unconscious
2) Psychic determinism: extreme view suggests no free will due to power of unconscious forces, even a slip of the tongue is not an “accident”
2 strengths of social learning theory approach
1) Recognises cognition in learning: SLT recognises people observe others and preserve this information, provides a more comprehensive explanation of human learning HOWEVER lacks biological factors e.g. mirror neurons
2) Real-world application: SLT can explain cultural difference in behaviour, and how children learn from others (in media?) and shows how cultural norms are transmitted through society e.g. gender roles
Weakness of social learning theory approach
Use of lab studies: Bandura’s ppts. may have been responding to demand characteristics, as they may have thought the main purpose of the doll was to strike it, not imitating an adult just acting as they perceived was normal
2 strengths of the behaviourist (conditioning) approach
1) Well-controlled research: Behaviourist studies have scientific credibility as they are in highly controlled labs, with stimulus and response the only variables HOWEVER reductionist, ignores role of others or cognition
2) Real-world application: operant conditioning is used in token economies e.g. prisons, where work is rewarded with secondary reinforcers that lead to privileges
2 weaknesses of the behaviourist approach
1) Environmental determinism: sees behaviour as conditioned by past experiences, rather than free will and choice. “Free will is an illusion” - Skinner
2) Reductionism: extreme position that ignores role of decision-making processes on behaviour (cognitive)
