Comparison of Approaches

Question 1

Scientific?

Answer 1

Behaviourist - yes (scientific methods)
SLT - yes (scientific methods)
Cognitive - yes (brain imaging and lab experiments)
Biological - yes (brain imaging and lab experiments)
Psychodynamic - no (unfalsifiable)
Humanistic - no (rejects scientific methods)

Question 2

Application

Answer 2

Behaviourist - SD and flooding
SLT - explains how behaviours can be learnt
Cognitive - CBT
Biological - drug treatment
Psychodynamic - psychoanalysis
Humanistic - counselling (client cantered therapy)

Question 3

Reductionism v Holism

Answer 3

Behaviourist - experimental reductionism
SLT - more holistic (cognitive factors)
Cognitive - experimental reductionism
Biological - biological reductionism
Psychodynamic - holistic
Humanistic - holistic

Question 4

Determinism v Free will

Answer 4

Behaviourist - determinism (stimulus-response)
SLT - reciprocal determinism
Cognitive - soft determinism
Biological - biological determinism
Psychodynamic - psychic determinism
Humanistic - free will

Question 5

Ideographic v Nomothetic

Answer 5

Behaviourist - nomothetic (generalised laws)
SLT - nomothetic
Cognitive - nomothetic
Biological - nomothetic (common physiology)
Psychodynamic - both
Humanistic - ideographic (focus on the individual)

Question 6

Nature v Nurture

Answer 6

Behaviourist - nurture (learnt response)
SLT - nurture (vicarious reinforcement)
Cognitive - both
Biological - nature (genetics)
Psychodynamic - nature (innate drive)
Humanistic - nurture (growth and experiences)

Question 7

Extrapolation?

Answer 7

Behaviourist - yes (principles developed through animal research)
SLT - no
Cognitive - no
Biological - yes (animal testing)
Psychodynamic - no
Humanistic - no