Evaluation of Approaches & Comparisons

Question 1

What are the key points of evaluation for the behaviourist approach

Answer 1

Strength - Scientific
Strength - Successful applications in the real world
Weakness - Deterministic

Question 2

What are the key points of evaluation for the biological approach

Answer 2

Strength - Deterministic, behaviour explained by internal forces
Strength - Scientific
Weakness - Only considers nature
Weakness - Reductionist

Question 3

What are the key points of evaluation for the psychodynamic approach

Answer 3

Strength - Interactionist, nature and nurture
Strength - Application, highlights the importance of the first 5 years
Strength - Less reductionist than other approaches
Weakness - Not scientific
Weakness - Deterministic
Weakness - Reductionist, simplifies behaviour to the unconscious mind

Question 4

What are the key points of evaluation for the cognitive approach

Answer 4

Strength - Practical application in criminal justice
Strength - Scientific
Weakness - Reductionist, too simple, computer analogy

Question 5

What are the key points of evaluation for the positive approach

Answer 5

Strength - Free will
Strength - Successful applications, mindfulness
Weakness - Holistic, hard to establish cause and effect