Comparing Approaches

Question 1

Biological Approach - Free will or Determinism?

Answer 1

Behaviour is controlled (biologically determined) by factors such as genes, neurotransmitters, hormones and brain structures.

Question 2

Biological Approach - Nature of Nurture?

Answer 2

Behaviour is determined by biological factors such as genes, neurotransmitters, hormones and brain structures.

Question 3

Biological Approach - Reductionist or holistic?

Answer 3

Reduces behaviour to biological structures/processes and ignores the whole.

Question 4

Biological Approach - Idiographic or Nomothetic?

Answer 4

Humans share similar physiology and that we can make universal laws regarding behaviour. Lab exps used to generate quantitative data to make generalisations.

Question 5

Biological Approach - Scientific?

Answer 5

Promotes scientific methods of investigation.

Question 6

Biological Approach - Real world applications?

Answer 6

Has lead to the development of numerous drug therapies to treat disorders such as OCD and schizophrenia.

Question 7

Behaviourist Approach - Free will or Determinism?

Answer 7

Behaviour is determined by stimulus-response conditioning.

Question 8

Behaviourist Approach - Nature or Nurture?

Answer 8

Human beings are born as a tabula rasa (blank slate) and behaviour is learned.

Question 9

Behaviourist Approach - Reductionist or Holistic?

Answer 9

Reduces behaviour to simple stimulus-response associations.

Question 10

Behaviourist Approach - Idiographic or Nomothetic?

Answer 10

Creates general laws of behaviour (cause and effect, stimulus-response relationships) and uses lab exps to generate quantitative data to make generalisations.

Question 11

Behaviourist Approach - Scientific?

Answer 11

Utilises scientific methods to investigate key concepts like classical/operant conditioning.

Question 12

Behaviourist Approach - Real world applications?

Answer 12

Has led to the development of numerous treatments, like systematic desensitisation, flooding and aversion therapy.

Question 13

SLT - Free will or determinism?

Answer 13

Acknowledges the role of environmental forces (vicarious reinforcement) but suggests that humans have personal responsibility and some free choice.

Question 14

SLT - Nature or Nurture?

Answer 14

Behaviour is learnt via classical and operant conditioning and doesn’t take into account biological factors.

Question 15

SLT - Reductionist or Holistic?

Answer 15

Shares elements of both the behaviourist and cognitive approach.

Question 16

SLT - Idiographic or Nomothetic?

Answer 16

Aims to establish general laws of behaviour such as observation, imitation of role models and reinforcement. It also uses lab exps to generate quantitative data to make generalisations.

Question 17

SLT - Scientific?

Answer 17

Utilises scientific methods of investigation that the researcher can investigate such as Bandura’s Bobo Doll exp. However, it also considers mediational processes which researchers are unable to directly observe.

Question 18

SLT - Real life applications?

Answer 18

Able to explain many psychological disorders including eating disorders and aggression and has led to positive change such as the introduction of the watershed on TV.

Question 19

Cognitive Approach - Free will or Determinism?

Answer 19

Behaviour is the result of mediational processes however humans can choose what information they attend to.

Question 20

Cognitive Approach - Nature or Nurture?

Answer 20

Information processing is modified as a result of experience.

Question 21

Cognitive Approach - Reductionist or Holistic

Answer 21

Studies cognitive processes such as memory/attention in isolation, reducing behaviour and processes into isolated variables for testing.

Question 22

Cognitive Approach - Idiographic or Nomothetic?

Answer 22

Typically uses nomothetic approaches to establish general laws of cognitive processing. However, case studies are sometimes used such as Patient KF and HM utilising idiographuc approaches.

Question 23

Cognitive Approach - Scientific?

Answer 23

Utilises scientific methods of investigation such as studies of memory however, researchers are unable to directly observe cognitive processes.

Question 24

Cognitive Approach - Real life applications?

Answer 24

Led to the development of numerous treatment, including cognitive behavioural therapy. Also, it has helped improve accuracy and reliability of EWT.

Question 25

Psychodynamic Approach - Freewill or Determinism?

Answer 25

Behaviour is determined by unconscious drives and early childhood experiences.

Question 26

Psychodynamic - Nature vs Nurture?

Answer 26

Behaviour is caused by innate drives such as the Id although early childhood experiences also shape our behaviour.

Question 27

Psychodynamic Approach - Reductionist or Holistic?

Answer 27

Behaviour is reduced to innate drives such as the Id however it also takes into account all aspects of human behaviour.

Question 28

Psychodynamic Approach - Idiographic or Nomothetic?

Answer 28

Uses nomothetic approaches to create general laws about innate drives however, it also takes into account the unique experience of early childhood experiences (idiographic).

Question 29

Psychodynamic Approach - Scientific?

Answer 29

Uses many concepts/theories which can’t be empirically tested such as the Id. Therefore, an idiographic approach is often taken and there’s a large element of subjective interpretation.

Question 30

Psychodynamic Approach - Real life applications?

Answer 30

Has led to the development of treatments such as psychoanalysis, however the positive impact/application of this treatment is questionable.

Question 31

Humanistic Approach - Freewill or determinism?

Answer 31

Humans control their own environment and are capable of change.

Question 32

Humanistic Approach - Nature or Nurture?

Answer 32

Humans have an innate drive to self-actualise, however the environment and our experiences shape this journey.

Question 33

Humanistic Approach - Reductionist or Holistic?

Answer 33

Rejects scientific methods of investigation and focuses on understanding all aspects of human experience and interaction.

Question 34

Humanistic Approach - Idiographic or Nomothetic?

Answer 34

Focuses on subjective human experience and makes no attempt to generalise.

Question 35

Humanistic Approach - Scientific?

Answer 35

Rejects scientific methods and therefore is unable to provide empirical evidence to support its theories.

Question 36

Humanistic Approach - Real life applications?

Answer 36

Led to the development of Client Centered Therapy which is used to treat a range of psychological disorders.