Comparison of approaches

Question 1

Key Features of the Approaches

Answer 1

• Behaviourist: Focuses on observable behaviour and environmental learning through conditioning (classical and operant).
• Social Learning Theory (SLT): Emphasizes learning through observation and imitation, along with the role of vicarious reinforcement.
• Cognitive: Explores internal mental processes (e.g., memory, perception) and how they influence behaviour.
• Biological: Focuses on biological structures and processes, such as genetics, brain structure, neurotransmitters, and hormones.
• Psychodynamic: Emphasizes unconscious drives, early childhood experiences, and the conflict between the id, ego, and superego.
• Humanistic: Focuses on free will, personal growth, and self-actualization, with an emphasis on the whole person.

Question 2

Free Will vs Determinism

Answer 2

• Behaviourist: Deterministic—behaviour is shaped by external forces (environmental determinism) through conditioning.
• SLT: Reciprocal determinism—both the individual and environment influence behaviour, but some free will is acknowledged.
• Cognitive: Soft determinism—thought processes are influenced by internal and external factors, but individuals can choose how to respond.
• Biological: Hard determinism—behaviour is strongly influenced by genetic, hormonal, and neural factors.
• Psychodynamic: Psychic determinism—behaviour is determined by unconscious forces and past experiences.
• Humanistic: Free will—humans have full control over their actions and are free to make personal choices.

Question 3

Nature vs Nurture

Answer 3

• Behaviourist: Nurture—behaviour is learned through interaction with the environment.
• SLT: Primarily nurture—learning occurs through observation of others, but some innate biological factors are acknowledged.
• Cognitive: Interactionist—mental processes are shaped by both innate factors (e.g., brain structures) and experience.
• Biological: Nature—behaviour is primarily determined by biological factors like genes and neurochemistry.
• Psychodynamic: Interactionist—innate drives (nature) and childhood experiences (nurture) shape behaviour.
• Humanistic: Interactionist—humans are driven by their innate potential for growth (nature), but the environment influences how they fulfil this potential (nurture).

Question 4

Reductionism vs Holism

Answer 4

• Behaviourist: Environmental reductionism—reduces behaviour to stimulus-response links.
• SLT: Mostly reductionist—focuses on learning through imitation but considers cognitive processes (mediational factors).
• Cognitive: Machine reductionism—compares the mind to a computer, reducing behaviour to information processing.
• Biological: Biological reductionism—reduces behaviour to genes, neurochemistry, and brain structures.
• Psychodynamic: Reductionist and holistic—reduces behaviour to innate drives and early experiences but considers the whole person.
• Humanistic: Holistic—focuses on the whole person, considering all factors (biological, emotional, cognitive) that influence behaviour.

Question 5

Idiographic vs Nomothetic Approaches

Answer 5

• Behaviourist: Nomothetic—aims to establish general laws of behaviour through experiments.
• SLT: Nomothetic—general principles of learning are applied to all individuals.
• Cognitive: Nomothetic—seeks general laws about cognitive processes, but case studies (e.g., HM) can take an idiographic approach.
• Biological: Nomothetic—seeks to uncover general principles about biology and behaviour through experiments.
• Psychodynamic: Idiographic and nomothetic—emphasizes the uniqueness of the individual but also attempts to apply general principles (e.g., stages of psychosexual development).
• Humanistic: Idiographic—focuses on the uniqueness of each individual, rejecting the idea of general laws.

Question 6

Scientific Methods

Answer 6

• Behaviourist: Highly scientific—relies on controlled lab experiments, observable behaviour, and measurable outcomes.
• SLT: Scientific—uses controlled experiments and some objective methods, though includes unobservable cognitive processes.
• Cognitive: Mostly scientific—uses lab experiments to infer mental processes, though some reliance on subjective methods (e.g., self-reports).
• Biological: Highly scientific—uses advanced technology (e.g., fMRI, PET scans) to objectively measure brain activity.
• Psychodynamic: Lacks scientific rigour—relies on subjective methods like case studies, which are not easily replicable.
• Humanistic: Rejects scientific methods—focuses on qualitative methods (e.g., interviews) to understand personal experiences.

Question 7

Applications of Approaches

Answer 7

• Behaviourist: Applied in behavioural therapy (e.g., systematic desensitisation for phobias) and education (e.g., positive reinforcement).
• SLT: Applied in understanding aggression, addiction, and role models in the media.
• Cognitive: Applied in cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), helping treat mental disorders like depression and anxiety.
• Biological: Applied in drug treatments for mental illnesses (e.g., antidepressants for depression) and understanding genetic predispositions to disorders.
• Psychodynamic: Applied in psychoanalysis and therapy focusing on resolving unconscious conflicts.
• Humanistic: Applied in counseling and therapy aimed at personal growth (e.g., person-centered therapy).

Question 8

Strengths and Limitations of Approaches

Answer 8

• Behaviourist:
  o Strength: Highly scientific and useful for real-life applications.
  o Limitation: Ignores internal processes and biological factors.
• SLT:
  o Strength: Incorporates cognitive factors into learning.
  o Limitation: Over-reliance on lab studies and underestimates biological influences.
• Cognitive:
  o Strength: Scientific and practical applications (CBT).
  o Limitation: Machine reductionism oversimplifies complex behaviours.
• Biological:
  o Strength: Highly scientific and advances in technology allow for precise measurements.
  o Limitation: Reductionist and determinist, ignoring environmental influences.
• Psychodynamic:
  o Strength: Focuses on the impact of early experiences.
  o Limitation: Unscientific and difficult to empirically test.
• Humanistic:
  o Strength: Holistic and positive, emphasizing personal agency.
  o Limitation: Lacks empirical evidence and overemphasizes free will.