Comparing Approaches Flashcards
Biological Approach - Free will or Determinism?
Behaviour is controlled (biologically determined) by factors such as genes, neurotransmitters, hormones and brain structures.
Biological Approach - Nature of Nurture?
Behaviour is determined by biological factors such as genes, neurotransmitters, hormones and brain structures.
Biological Approach - Reductionist or holistic?
Reduces behaviour to biological structures/processes and ignores the whole.
Biological Approach - Idiographic or Nomothetic?
Humans share similar physiology and that we can make universal laws regarding behaviour. Lab exps used to generate quantitative data to make generalisations.
Biological Approach - Scientific?
Promotes scientific methods of investigation.
Biological Approach - Real world applications?
Has lead to the development of numerous drug therapies to treat disorders such as OCD and schizophrenia.
Behaviourist Approach - Free will or Determinism?
Behaviour is determined by stimulus-response conditioning.
Behaviourist Approach - Nature or Nurture?
Human beings are born as a tabula rasa (blank slate) and behaviour is learned.
Behaviourist Approach - Reductionist or Holistic?
Reduces behaviour to simple stimulus-response associations.
Behaviourist Approach - Idiographic or Nomothetic?
Creates general laws of behaviour (cause and effect, stimulus-response relationships) and uses lab exps to generate quantitative data to make generalisations.
Behaviourist Approach - Scientific?
Utilises scientific methods to investigate key concepts like classical/operant conditioning.
Behaviourist Approach - Real world applications?
Has led to the development of numerous treatments, like systematic desensitisation, flooding and aversion therapy.
SLT - Free will or determinism?
Acknowledges the role of environmental forces (vicarious reinforcement) but suggests that humans have personal responsibility and some free choice.
SLT - Nature or Nurture?
Behaviour is learnt via classical and operant conditioning and doesn’t take into account biological factors.
SLT - Reductionist or Holistic?
Shares elements of both the behaviourist and cognitive approach.
SLT - Idiographic or Nomothetic?
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.
SLT - Scientific?
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.
SLT - Real life applications?
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.
Cognitive Approach - Free will or Determinism?
Behaviour is the result of mediational processes however humans can choose what information they attend to.
Cognitive Approach - Nature or Nurture?
Information processing is modified as a result of experience.
Cognitive Approach - Reductionist or Holistic
Studies cognitive processes such as memory/attention in isolation, reducing behaviour and processes into isolated variables for testing.
Cognitive Approach - Idiographic or Nomothetic?
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.
Cognitive Approach - Scientific?
Utilises scientific methods of investigation such as studies of memory however, researchers are unable to directly observe cognitive processes.
Cognitive Approach - Real life applications?
Led to the development of numerous treatment, including cognitive behavioural therapy. Also, it has helped improve accuracy and reliability of EWT.
Psychodynamic Approach - Freewill or Determinism?
Behaviour is determined by unconscious drives and early childhood experiences.
Psychodynamic - Nature vs Nurture?
Behaviour is caused by innate drives such as the Id although early childhood experiences also shape our behaviour.
Psychodynamic Approach - Reductionist or Holistic?
Behaviour is reduced to innate drives such as the Id however it also takes into account all aspects of human behaviour.
Psychodynamic Approach - Idiographic or Nomothetic?
Uses nomothetic approaches to create general laws about innate drives however, it also takes into account the unique experience of early childhood experiences (idiographic).
Psychodynamic Approach - Scientific?
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.
Psychodynamic Approach - Real life applications?
Has led to the development of treatments such as psychoanalysis, however the positive impact/application of this treatment is questionable.
Humanistic Approach - Freewill or determinism?
Humans control their own environment and are capable of change.
Humanistic Approach - Nature or Nurture?
Humans have an innate drive to self-actualise, however the environment and our experiences shape this journey.
Humanistic Approach - Reductionist or Holistic?
Rejects scientific methods of investigation and focuses on understanding all aspects of human experience and interaction.
Humanistic Approach - Idiographic or Nomothetic?
Focuses on subjective human experience and makes no attempt to generalise.
Humanistic Approach - Scientific?
Rejects scientific methods and therefore is unable to provide empirical evidence to support its theories.
Humanistic Approach - Real life applications?
Led to the development of Client Centered Therapy which is used to treat a range of psychological disorders.
