approaches; evals- 2 Flashcards
strength of wudnt- psych as a science
p- scientific methods helped psychology emerge as a science
e- philosophers rejected science as a way of investigating the mind before
e- several key features of science, empirical method (data collection), replicability
limitation of wudnt- introspection
p- didnt fully help psych emerge as a science
e- introspection relies on observers to self report their own conscious experiences
e- lacks objectivity, source for bias/ interpretation, subjective evidence (non scientific)
strength of behaviorism- key features of science
p- demonstrates key features of science
e-skinners theory of operant conditioning
e-falsifiable, used empirical observation, replicable
limitation of behaviourism- animal test subjects
p- tests on animals have questionable ethical grounds
e- ethical principles not met- informed consent, protection from harm
e- skinner rats electrocuted and pavlovs dogs had jaws removed
- still possible to learn from unethical research
strengths of slt- features of science
p- has scientific credibility
e-banduras bobo doll exp
e- observation- empirical method, free from bias- objective
limitation of slt- explanation of imp
p- doesnt properly explain role of mind
e-mediational process shows role of mind
e-no exp of how they work, explains what but not how
-cog exp explains
strength of cog approach- applications
e-the cog exp has real life applications
e-beck and ellis’ development of CBT- first line of treatment for many psychological disorders
e- CBT only possible because of computer model
limitation of cog approach- comp model
p- use of the comp model
e- the mind can perceive and process info in a way a computer cannot- the mind can adapt from past experiences
e-comparison can be useful to understand aspects of cognition but the mind is more than a machine for processing info
strength of bio approach- key features of science
p- scientific credibility
e- twin studies to evaluate genetic basis
e- twin studies fulfil all key features of science; quantitively measuring and observing behavior’s- empirical research, objective, can be used to falsify theories
l- biological research like twin studies shows the bio approaches credibility
limitation of bio approach- biological determinism
p- engages in biological determinism
e- researches explain behaviour as being determined by aspects of biology
e- ignores role of environment
- limited exp since phenotype= genotype+ environment
- undermines belief in free will
strength of psychodynamic app- influence
p- psychodynamic approach has been very influential
e- bowlbys interest in the approaches focus on childhood experiences- freud was the first to demonstrate potential for psychological over biological treatments for disorders such as depression and anxiety
e- freuds ideas had a profound effect on modern psychology
l- its strength is illustrated buy the debt owed to it by modern psychology
limitation of psychodynamic approach- credibility
p- lack of scientific credibility
e- freud developed his ideas based on case studies- not representable or generalisable (little hans) and used methods such as dream analysis
e-these methods are not regarded as scientific
- his methods were empirical but his analysis was highly subjective
-unfalsifiable- id ego and superego are impossible to test empirically
limitation of the humanistic approach- counselling contributions
p- rogers contributions to counselling psychology have been criticized
e-rogers developed person centered psychology- requires therapist to deliver unconditional positive regard and help in a non directive way
e- most therapists would find it impossible to offer unconditional positive regard to some clients (serial killers) meaning this approach isnt always practical
-non-directive approach will not work for patients who suffer from more severe forms of mental illness- they need more guidance
strength of humanistic approach- free will
p- it recognizes the importance of free will
e-belief in free will provides the foundation for humanistic concepts such as self actualization
e- humanistic approach can be seen as more liberating as it empowers people to become active determiners in their own lives
-offers a more positive account of human nature than explaining behaviour as determined by one or more force out of human control
