Approaches- Comparison Of Approaches Flashcards
Name all the approaches
The Behaviourist Approach
Social Learning Theory
The Cognitive Approach
The Biological Approach
The Psychodynamic Approach
Humanistic Psychology
Comparison points
Scientific methodology
Determinism
Nature and nurture
Reductionism
Psychological Treatments
Behaviourism
Behaviourists are seen as highly sclentific as they focus entirely on observable stimuli and responses, for example, Pavlov’s and Skinner’s experiments. Their work, using large samples and controlled conditions, allows for precise replication of findings on conditioning.
SLT
SLT: Social learning theorists use experimental methods and large samples to investigate concepts like modelling, vicarious reinforcement, and mediational processes. However, as these internal mental processes cannot be directly observed but are inferred from behaviour, these inferences could be mistaken, this reduces the approach’s scientific credibility.
Cognitive psychology
cognitive psychology: Cognitive psychologists use controlled experiments to support theories like the working memory model. However, as the models represent internal mental processes that cannot be directly observed, only inferred from behaviour, cognitive psychology is not considered fully scientific.
Biological psychology
Biological Psychology: Biological psychologists study directly observable physical processes such as brain activity; they also use objective measuring devices such as fMRI scanners, DNA sequencers and blood tests. Large-scale placebo-controlled trials are used to test drugs. This focus on objective measurement means biological psychology is seen as highly scientific.
Psychodynamics
Psychodynamies: Freud based his theories on case studies; clients would use introspection to report on their internal state of mind. The use of a case study is not seen as scientific due to the potential for bias in the researcher’s interpretation.
Additionally, concepts like the superego are not operationally defined, meaning they can not be scientifically studied.
Humanistic
Humanistic: Humanists reject the scientific method completely, arguing that human behaviour is too complex to be reduced to simple variables that can be measured scientifically. They also reject the cause-and-effect principle that scientific research depends on. This means humanistic psychology lacks empirical evidence to support its claims.
Determinism - which type
OR
Free will
Behaviourism
Behaviourists are hard environmental determinists;
they consider behaviour to be entirely the result of creatures’ interactions with their environment. Behaviour an individual has found rewarding in the past will be more likely to be repeated. As free will has no role in behaviourist theory, they are considered to be hard determinists.
Determinism - which type
OR
Free will
SLT
Environmentally deterministic however, Bandura also argued for reciprocal determinism, behaviour caused by the environment, our behaviour determines the environment. e.g., a child who works hard for a test has an effect on their environment, an A grade and a teacher who gives praise; this environment then acts as a motivation to work even harder.
Determinism - which type
OR
Free will
Cognitive psychology
Cognitive psychology: Cognitive psychologists are soft determinists, arguing there are causal factors that influence behaviour. People learn schema through experience, which acts as automatic templates for our behaviour. But they also suggest that with conscious effort (free will), maladaptive automatic internal mental processes can be modified.
Determinism - which type
OR
Free will
Biological psychology
Biological Psychology: Biological determinism suggests behaviour is entirely caused (hard determinists) by our physical nature, including hormones, brains, neurotransmitters, and genes, Behaviours such as aggression and mental health disorders are explained as due to an imbalance of neurotransmitters due to the inheritance of dysfunctional genes.
Determinism - which type
OR
Free will
Psychodynamics
Psychodynamic researchers argue for psychic determinism, the idea that unconscious thoughts, drives and repressed memories shape our conscious behaviours. These unconscious forces are formed in childhood and influence adult behaviour throughout life.
Determinism - which type
OR
Free will
Humanistic
Humanistic: Humanists are the only approach that argues for free will, the idea that humans have agency, we are able to make our own decisions free from restraints, and we have moral responsibility for those choices.
Nature or Nurture
Behaviourism
Behaviourists argue the most important influences on behaviour are environmental factors (nurture).
Rewarding experiences causes behaviours to be repeated. But even with this approach, there is some role for nature, including innate reflex actions. For example, a dog does not have to be trained to drool when presented with food.
