comparison of approach Flashcards
free will vs determinism - biological
Biological Determinism: The
biological approach suggests that behaviour is controlled (biologically determined by tactors such as: genes,
neurotransmitters, hormones and
brain structures.
free will vs determinism - behaviourist
Environmental Determinism: The behaviourist approach suggests that
behaviour is determined by stimulus-
response conditioning (e.g. classical/ operant conditioning).
free will vs determinism - SLT
Soft Determinism: SLT
acknowledges the role of environmental forces (vicarious reinforcement) but suggests that
humans have personal responsibility
and have some free choice
free will vs determinism - cognitive
Soft Determinism: The cognitive approach suggests that behaviour is the result of mediationa processes
however human can choose what
information they attend to
free will vs determinism - psychodynamic
Physic Determinism: According to the psychodynamic approach, behaviour is determined by unconscious drives and early childhood experiences.
free will vs determinism - humanist
Free Will: The humanist approach is the only approach that suggest that humans control their own environment and are capable of change.
nature vs nurture - biological
Nature: The biological approach argues that behaviour is determined by biological factors such as: genes, neurotransmitters, hormones and brain structures.
nature vs nurture - behaviourist
Nurture: The behaviourist approach argues that human beings are born as a tabula rasa (blank slate) and behaviour is learned.
nature vs nurture - SLT
Nurture: SLT suggests that behaviour is learnt via classical and operant conditioning and doesn’t take into account biological factors.
nature vs nurture - cognitive
Nature & Nurture: The cognitive approach suggests that information processing is modified as a result of experience.
nature vs nurture - psychodynamic
Mostly Nature: The psychodynamic approach suggests that behaviour is caused by innate drives (e.g. ID), although early childhood experiences also shape our behaviour.
nature vs nurture - humaist
Mostly Nurture: The humanist approaches argues that humans have an innate drive to self-actualise, however the environment and our experiences shape this journey.
reductionism vs holism - biological
Biological Reductionism: The biological approach reduces behaviour to biological structures/processes and ignores the whole.
reductionism vs holism - behaviourist
Environmental Reductionism: The behaviourist approach reduces behaviour to simple stimulus-response associations.
reductionism vs holism - SLT
This approach or theory shares elements of both the behaviourist and cognitive approach.
reductionism vs holism - cognitive
Experimental Reductionism: The cognitive approach studies cognitive processes (e.g. memory/attention) in isolation, reducing behaviour and processes into isolated variables for testing.
reductionism vs holism - psychodynamic
Reductionism & Holism: The psychodynamic approach suggests that behaviour is reduced to innate drives (e.g. ID), however the approach also takes into account all aspects of human behaviour.
reductionism vs holism - humanist
Holism: The humanist approach rejects scientific methods of investigation and focuses on understanding all aspects of human experience and interaction.
idiographic vs nomothetic - biological
Nomothetic: The biological approach suggests that humans share sirnilar physiology and that we can make universal laws regarding behaviour.
Laboratory experiments are used to generate quantitative data to make generalisations.
idiographic vs nomothetic - behaviourist
Nomothetic: The behaviourist approach creates general laws of behaviour (cause & effect, stimulus-response relationships) and uses laboratory experiments to generate quantitative data to make generalisations.
idiographic vs nomothetic - SLT
Nomothetic: SLT aims to establish general laws of behaviour (e.g. through observation, imitation of role models and reinforcement). SLT uses laboratory experiments to generate quantitative data to make generalisations.
idiographic vs nomothetic - cognitive
Nomothetic: The cognitive approach typically uses nomothetic approaches to establish general laws of cognitive processing. However, case studies are sometimes used (e.g. patient KF, HM, etc.) utilising idiographic approaches.
idiographic vs nomothetic - psychodynamic
Nomothetic & Idiographic: The psychodynamic approach uses nomothetic approaches to create general laws about innate drives however, it also takes into account the unique experience of early childhood experiences (idiographic).
idiographic vs nomothetic - humanist
Idiographic: The humanistic approach is the only approach to focus on subjective human experience and makes no attempt to generalise.
scientific - biological
Scientific: The biological approach promotes scientific methods of investigation.
scientific - behaviourist
Scientific: The behaviourist approach utilises scientific methods to investigate key concepts like classical/ operant conditioning
scientific - SLT
Mostly Scientific: SLT utilises scientific methods of investigation, which researcher can replicate (e.g.
Bandura’s Bobo Doll experiment).
However, SLT also considers mediational processes which researchers are unable to directly observe.
scientific - cognitive
Mostly Scientific: The cognitive
approach utilises scientific methods of
investigation (e.g. studies of memory). However, researchers are unable to directly observe cognitive processes.
scientific - psychodynamic
Not Scientific: The psychodynamic approach uses many concepts/ theories which can not be empirically tested (e.g. ID). Therefore, an re idiographic approach is often taken and there is a large element of subjective interpretation.
scientific - humanist
Not Scientific: The humanistic approach reject scientific methods and therefore is unable to provide empirical evidence to support it’s theories.
real-world application - biological
The biological approach has led to the development of numerous drug therapies to treat disorders like: OCD,
Schizophrenia, etc.
real-world application - behaviourist
The behaviourist approach has led to the development of numerous treatments, like systematic desensitisation, flooding and aversion therapy.
real-world application - SLT
SLT is able to explain many psychological disorders including; eating disorders and aggression and has led to positive change (e.g. the introduction of the watershed on TV, etc).
real-world application - cognitive
The cognitive approach has led to the development of
numerous treatments, including cognitive behavioural therapy.
Furthermore, the cognitive approach has helped improve the accuracy and reliability of EWT.
real-world application - psychodynamic
The psychodynamic approach has led to the develooment of treatments such as psychoanalysis, however the positive impact/application of this treatment is questionable.
real-world application - humanist
The humanist approach has led to the development of Client Centred Therapy which is used to treat a range of psychological disorders.
