Approaches Comparison Flashcards
What are 3 assumptions of the psychodynamic approach ?
The unconscious mind controls behaviour
The id and superego are in constant conflict
Childhood experiences shape personality
What are 3 assumptions of the biological approach ?
Behaviour can be explained through evolution
Behaviour is innate
Brain functions are localised
What are 3 assumptions of the behaviourist approach?
All behaviour is learned
Humans are born a blank slate
Only observable behaviour should be studied
What are 3 assumptions of social learning theory?
Learning occurs through observation
Behaviour can be learnt indirectly and directly
Reinforcements and punishments how behaviour is learned or corrected
What are 3 assumptions of the cognitive approach ?
Humans and data processing systems are alike
Humans are like computers
Mental processes can be studied scientifically
What are 3 assumptions of the humanistic approach ?
Humans have free will
Humans strive for self actualisation
Consider humans as a whole
How do psychodynamic treat problems ?
Psychoanalysis
How do humanistic psychologist treat illnesses ?
Person/client centred therapy
How do biological psychologists treat problems?
Drugs
How do cognitive psychologists treat problems ?
Cognitive behavioural therapy
How do learning theory psychologists test behaviour ?
Flooding
Systematic desensitisation
Aversion therapy
What is free will vs determinism ?
Free will means humans have a choice in their behaviour whereas determinism means behaviour is fixed and innate
What is the nature vs nurture debate ?
Nature means genetics whereas nurture means environment
What is the reductionist vs holistic debate?
Holistic means they take into account everything whereas reductionist is having a limited view point
What is the ideographic and nomothetic debate ?
Lab studies vs case studies
Which approaches are scientific ?
Biological
Behaviourist
Social learning theory
Cognitive
How is cognitive approach studied?
Initially lab studies and then case studies
How is the behaviourist approach studied ?
Lab studies and animal studies
How do biological psychologist study ?
Brain scans , maybe animal scans
How does the psychodynamic approach study ?
Case studies
How does the humanistic approach study?
Unstructured interviews
Which approaches are deterministic or free will and why?
Biological - behaviour is generated from biological roots
Learning theory - behaviourism is but SLT argues a level of choice whether we imitate or not
Cognitive - the way we process information is deterministic but CBT allows for free will
Psychodynamic - behaviour and thoughts are determined by unconscious mind - deterministic
Humanistic - free will - humans choose their own path In life
Which approaches are nature and which are nurture ?
Biological - nature - behaviour passed through genetics but considers environment (phenotype )
Learning theory - nurture - behaviour is learned through environment
Cognitive - accepts both sides of debate innate thought processes but considers experiences of environment.
Psychodynamic - falls onto both sides innate drives with the ID however childhood affects behaviour too
Humanistic - doesn’t believe the debate is valid, innate drive to be the best you can be, environment can aid that process. Humanistic takes interactionist
Which approaches are humanistic or reductionist and why ?
Biological - reductionism, only accounts genetics, physiological and biochemical cause
Learning theory - reductionism - isolated behaviour through focus on stimulus response
Cognitive - reductionism- isolates one variable to test it - many cognitions are used in real life.
Psychodynamic - takes into account all elements however focuses on drives as underpinning behaviour - more holistic than reductionism
Humanistic - humans should be considered as a whole - holistic
