Comparing Approaches

Question 1

Which approaches are scientific and why?

Answer 1

1. Cognitive Approach- Uses scientific processes to investigate internal processes in the brain and uses inferences to study mental processes (measuring brain activity through fMRI scans)
2. Biological Approach- Uses extremely scientific and objective measures, usually involving observable chemicals/genetics (levels of D2 receptors in schizophrenia is observable)
3. Behaviourist Approach- Uses objective and falsifiable methods to study observable behaviours (Skinner’s rat experiment measured frequency of selected behaviours)
4. Social Learning Theory- Focussed on behaviour and is measured objectively

Question 2

Which approaches aren’t scientific?

Answer 2

1. Humanistic Approach- Focuses on subjective judgements that are hard to measure empirically (self actualisation differs for everyone, so requires a subjective assessment from an individual)
2. Psychodynamic Approach- Completely disregards psychology’s scientific aspects and relies on inference rather than scientific testing, as well as using case studies with subjective data (Existence of ID, superego and ego can’t be measured as it’s in the unconscious mind)

Question 3

Which approaches take on the ‘nature’ view and why?

Answer 3

1. Cognitive Approach- Believes behaviour is the product of information processing and mental processes (internal mental processes in storing memories)
2. Biological Approach- Argues all behaviours are caused by natural and internal factors that are unaffected by the environment (Chemical imbalances such as serotonin and OCD which cause mental illness)
3. Psychodynamic Approach- Suggests the structure of our personality is innate, such as the ID, ego and superego, which drives our behaviour, and suggests some behaviour is caused by childhood experiences (oral fixation and anal retentive)

Question 4

Which approaches take on the ‘nurture’ view and why?

Answer 4

1. Humanistic Approach- Focuses on environmental factors influencing behaviour (Explains that, for ideal mental wellbeing, we need to focus on external factors such as a job and home, rather than innate processes such as brain chemistry)
2. Cognitive Approach- Suggests behaviour is shaped by experience (schema influences behaviour based on past experiences)
3. Behaviourist Approach- Suggests behaviour is caused by past experiences, observation and vicarious reinforcement (Little Albert acquired his fear through classical conditioning)
4. Social Learning Theory

Question 5

Which approaches have free will?

Answer 5

1. Humanistic Approach- Believes humans control their own environment and are capable of change (Maslow’s hierarchy of needs says we need to work through the stages, exercising our free will to self actualise)

Question 6

Which approaches are deterministic and why?

Answer 6

1. Cognitive Approach- Assumes all behaviour is driven by internal mental processes, however we choose what information we’re exposed to (multi store model is a linear systematic way of processing information which requires attention and rehearsal)
2. Psychodynamic Approach- ‘Psychic determinism’, meaning behaviour is controlled by unconscious drives and early childhood experiences (Oedipus and Electra complex which are driven by unconscious drives)
3. Biological Approach- Argues out biological processes are a simple way to demonstrate behaviour (mental illnesses are due to biological processes, not desires)
4. Behaviourist Approach- Suggests behaviour is controlled by stimulus response conditioning, meaning we have no control (Skinner argues behaviour is a result of reinforcement and past experiences)
5. Social Learning Theory

Question 7

Which theories have practical applications and what are they?

Answer 7

1. Humanistic Approach- Led to counselling psychotherapy which uses key concepts, such as congruence and achieving self actualisation
2. Cognitive Approach- Illustrated how we reconstruct memories, developing EWT through the cognitive interview and making them more accurate
3. Psychodynamic Approach- Introduced the concept of talking therapy and led to the development of psycho analysis which has been proven successful with no side effects, unlike alternative medications
4. Biological Approach- Suggested a link between OCD and low serotonin and dopamine levels in the brain. This led to the development of effective medicine in treating OCD, such as SSRI’s
5. Social Learning Theory- Systematic desensitisation and aversion therapy
6. Behaviourist Approach- Contributes to society in effective treatments for phobias as it suggests they can be uniformed (flooding and systematic desensitisation which is 91% effective)