Areas and Perspectives of Psychology Flashcards
The Biological Area
All thoughts, feelings and behaviours have a physiological cause. Biological systems explain behaviour.
Strengths of the Biological Area x3
+scientific and supported by equipment
+used for treatment
+objective, reductionist approach lends itself to experimental research
Weaknesses of the Biological Area x3
- over simplistic explanation
- reductionist
- deterministic- is behaviour predictable?
The Social Area
Behaviour of individuals is influenced by the actual, imagine or implied presence of others.
Strengths of the Social Area x3
+understand the influence of the situation/social context
+how people behave in groups
+can be well controlled
Weaknesses of the Social Area x4
- lab experiments lack ecological validity
- deterministic, overlooking disposition
- observations can overlook ethical implications
- can be ethnocentric
The Cognitive Area
Focuses on internal, mental explanations. We process information like a computer so behaviour is predictable. People make decisions as to how they then behave.
Strengths of the Cognitive Area x3
+useful/ practical information gained
+scientific approach using single variables (objective, replicable)
+not deterministic
Weaknesses of the Cognitive Area x3
- relies of self-report as cannot be seen
- lab experiments mean low ecological validity
- mechanistic explanation-ignores social, motivational, emotional factors
The Developmental Area
Understands the changes in behaviour through lifespan, at crucial stages of development.
Strengths of the Developmental Area x3
+identify age related changes (useful)
+identify abnormal development (useful)
+use of children reduces likelihood of demand characteristics
Weaknesses of the Developmental Area x4
- difficult to control other factors that happen throughout life so low validity
- reductionist overestimating the age as a cause for change
- high attrition rate of longitudinal methods
- using children raises ethical issues
The Individual Differences Area
Behaviour is due to individual differences and so we need to understand how we differ and are the same . Behaviour differs in everyone.
Strengths of the Individual Differences Area x4
+useful for therapies
+case studies allow a detailed picture
+can learn about ‘normal’ behaviour from discovering usual behaviour
+prevents generalisations
Weaknesses of the Individual Differences Area x4
- results cannot always be generalised from case studies-idiographic approach
- retrospective studies may rely on memory and so can be bias or inaccurate
- can be socially sensitive
- raise ethical issues
