Comparing Approaches (Paper 2)

Question 1

Why are behaviourists seen as highly scientific

Answer 1

They focus entirely on observable stimuli and responses. E.g. Pavlov and Skinners experiments

Question 2

What type of research methods do behaviourists use and what does this allow for

Answer 2

They use large samples, with controlled conditions, allowing for precise replication of findings on conditioning (classical and operant)

Question 3

How is SLT research conducted

Answer 3

Using experimental methods and large samples

Question 4

What concepts are investigated in SLT

Answer 4

Modelling, Vicarious Reinforcement, Mediational processes

Question 5

Why may SLT approach have reduced scientific credibility

Answer 5

Internal mental processes cannot be directly observed but are inferred from behaviour, these inferences could be mistaken

Question 6

What type of research methods do cognitive psychologists use

Answer 6

Controlled experiments

Question 7

What type of theories do cognitive psychologists try to support with their research

Answer 7

Models of memory e.g. The working memory model

Question 8

Why is cognitive psychology not considered entirely scientific

Answer 8

The models it tries to support, represent internal mental processes that cannot be directly observed, only inferred from behaviour

Question 9

What do biological psychologists study

Answer 9

Directly observable physical processes such as brain activity

Question 10

Why is biological psychology considered highly scientific

Answer 10

They use measuring devices such as fMRI scanners, DNA sequencers and blood tests. Large scale placebo - controlled trials are used to test drugs.

Question 11

What research methods did Freud base his psychodynamic theories on

Answer 11

Case studies; clients would use introspection to report on their own mental state of mind

Question 12

Why is the psychodynamic approach not seen as being scientific

Answer 12

The use of case studies is not seen as scientific due to the potential for bias in the researchers interpretation. Additionally, concepts like the superego are not operationally defined meaning they cannot be scientifically studied

Question 13

What do humanists believe about the scientific method

Answer 13

Humanists reject the scientific method completely, arguing that human behaviour is too complex to be reduced to simple variables that can be measured scientifically.

Question 14

What is meant by idiographic

Answer 14

Aiming to understand what makes individuals unique e.g. case studies

Question 15

what is meant by nomothetic

Answer 15

Establishing general rules by studying large groups of people

Question 16

Give a strength of the idiographic approach

Answer 16

The idiographic approach provides a more complex and global understanding of the individual

Question 17

Give a weakness of the nomothetic approach

Answer 17

We cannot legitimately generalise any findings carried out on just one person to other people or the wider population. Freud has been accused of making global theories from limited and unrepresentative samples

Question 18

Give a strength of the nomothetic approach

Answer 18

The nomothetic approach is in tune with the determinist nature of science i.e. it seeks to find patterns in behaviour and can look for causes

Question 19

Give a weakness of the nomothetic approach

Answer 19

Nomothetic approach leaves us with a superficial understanding of any one person, e.g. you and I may have the same IQ, but I may have answered different questions from you. It may tell me I have a 1% chance of developing a disorder but will not tell me if I am in that 1%.