Approaches - Comparison points Flashcards
List 4 comparison points for the BIOLOGICAL APPROACH.
nomothetic
scientfic
reductionist
determinist (biologically)
CORE ASSUMPTIONS - Our behavioural are all inherited.
Scientific - This approach is the most scientific approach as it often involves lab studies, twin studies and brain scans.
Application - The biological approach has helped develop effective drug treatments for various mental conditions. An example is SSRI’s treating OCD.
Determinism / free will - This approach is strongly led by biological determinism. It believes that our behaviours are generated from biological roots and therefore out of out conscious control. This is shown, for example, through the gentic link to schizophrenia and autism.
Nature / nurture - One of the core assumptions of this approach is that behaviour can be passed on through genetics and therefore this approach is on the nature sides of this debate. For example, high dopamine activity causes schizophrenia and 230 gentic genes are linked with OCD.h
VERY REDUCTIONIST!, believes biology is the only expmaatikn
List 4 comparison points for the PSYCHODYNAMIC APPROACH.
CORE ASSUMPTION - Behaviours are the result of the unconscious mind, defence mechanisms and our psycho-sexual stages.
S – Scientific – NOT SCIENTIFIC In this approach the unconscious mind is being investigated and currently that is something that is impossible to measure scientifically e.g. we cannot test the id, ego or super ego (unfalsifiable). Methods used are often subjective e.g. free association and dream analysis.
Application – It led to the development of the first talking therapy (psychoanalysis) – This has helped shape therapy that is in use today.
Determinism/free will - This approach is strongly led by psychic determinism – Our thoughts and behaviours are dictated by the unconscious mind. As we have no control over our unconscious it is argued that this is strongly deterministic. For example, someone might smoke because they were fixated on the oral stage of their psycho-sexual stages.
Extrapolation – Animal research cannot be used by this approach because the unconscious mind is difficult to test in humans but impossible to study in animals.p
List 4 comparison points for the BEHAVIOURAL APPROACH
CORE ASSUMPTION - Two process model - That behaviours are learnt via classical conditioning and/or operant conditioning.
Application - This approach has helped explain why a phobia might develop. It has also led to successful treatments for phobias e.g. flooding and systematic desensitisation which are based on conditioning. Also token economy.
Determinism/free will – It is deterministic as it suggests that behaviour is due to a stimulus/response reaction. It suggests we are driven to choose whatever gave us pleasure in the past.
Idiographic/nomothetic – Nomothetic approach as it seeks to establish laws in behaviour. It suggests that classical and operant conditioning is how we all learn.
Extrapolation – The principles of the behaviourist approach were developed through animal testing. This is because they believe that the learning mechanisms in humans use are the same as animals. For instance Pavlov and Skinner’s studies.
List 4 comparison points for the SOCIAL LEARNING THEORY
Core assumption: That behaviours can also be learnt indirectly e.g. vicarious reinforcement. It has 4 mediational processes (attention, retention, motivation & reproduction).
Application – This theory has highlighted that behaviours such as aggression can be learnt, making us more mindful on how we model behaviour in front of younger people. It has also led to strict regulations on young individuals playing violent video games
Nature/nurture – This approach takes an extreme nurture position as it suggests that behaviour is learned from role models in their environment. There is no acknowledgment of genetics playing a role in a person’s behaviour.
Extrapolation – This approach does not make use of animal studies as they are focused on cognitive aspects that are involved in a person’s behaviour.
Idiographic/nomothetic – Nomothetic - It suggests we all share the same processes for learning behaviour e.g. mediational processes.
cognitive (SCITENTIFC,
Core assumption:
Computer model
Schema’s (packets of information)
Cognitive neuroscience
Scientific – It is considered to be somewhat scientific as it makes use of well-controlled lab experiments. BUT thoughts are not directly observable so can be subject to bias.
Application – It has led to CBT which is widely used for a number of mental disorders e.g. depression and schizophrenia. It has also helped improve the reliability of eye witness testimony.
Reductionism/holism – Experimental reductionism – As it often isolates one variable at a time in an experiment (to try and establish cause and effect).
Deterministic/free will ✅– The way we process information from the environment is determined by our past experiences (schema) but cognitive psychology can be said to argue for an element of free will as cognitive therapy requires the individual to change their thoughts. NEW recognises our cognitive system operates in limitd of ehat we kniw but we’re free to think before responding to a stumulus. More reasonable than strongly determinists approaches
humaistic
- VERY IDIOGRAPHIC
Core assumptions: Every individual is unique The three selves Congruence The hierarchy of needs Unconditional positive regard.
✅NOT Scientific – This approach does not believe that scientific measurement of behaviour is appropriate as it believes that humans are unique individuals.
Application – This theory has led to the client centred therapy which highlighted the importance of building trust between the client and the therapist.
Reductionist/holism – Holistic – It does not believe in reducing behaviour to specific elements and believes that the individual should be regarded as a whole.
✅Determinism/free-will – This is the only approach to fully advocate (support) the existence of free will and the idea that we choose our path in life.
IDIOGRAPHIC
