evaluations of approaches

Question 1

What is one strength of social learning theory (evaluation AO3) PEE.

Answer 1

(P) It can explain cultural differences in behaviour.
(E) According to social learning theory, children can learn from others around them, and this contributes to how cultural practices are transmitted through societies. (E) This is useful in understanding behaviours, such as how children understand their gender roles.

Question 2

What is a strength of social learning theory (evaluation AO3) PEE

Answer 2

(P) Social learning theory supports the importance of identification. (E) For example, Andsager et al. (2006) found that perceived similarity to a model in anti alcohol advertisements was positively linked to how effective the message was. Thanks to his research, health campaigns are now able to spread messages more effectively by using models that identify with their target audience. (E) This intern suggests SLT has had a positive effect on society

Question 3

What is a weakness of social learning theory (evaluation AO3) PPE

Answer 3

(P) There are issues with Bandura’s research. (E) For example, there are ethical issues, such as the agression that the children learned from the experiments staying with them, which could create problems for them in the future. This suggests that the children who took part in the experiment and took part in the study may have suffered from psychological harm.

Question 4

What is a weakness of Social learning theory? (evaluation AO3) PEE

Answer 4

(P) One weakness of social learning theory is that it ignores the importance of biological factors. (E) For example in Bandura’s BoBo doll experiments, it was found that boys are more aggressive than girls. This can be explained by different levels in testosterone levels between girls and boys. This proves gender influences behaviour, but it isn’t taken into a count by social learning theory.

Question 5

What is one strength of the cognitive approach?

Answer 5

It employs highly controlled and rigorous methods of study.
Has enabled cognitive psychologists to collect reliable data, and reach accurate conclusions about mental processes. Emergence of cognitive neuroscience has enabled the two fields of cognitive and biological psychology to come together. This means that the study of the mind has established a credible scientific basis.

Question 6

What is another strength of the cognitive approach?

Answer 6

It has many applications. Cognitive approach suggests many psychological disorders can be traced back to faulty and irrational thinking. Has led to the development of successful treatments such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) (individuals are encouraged to dispute their irrational thoughts) Suggests that cognitive approach has useful applications in the real world.

Question 7

What is a weakness of the cognitive approach?

Answer 7

One weakness is that research on mental processes often lacks validity.
For example, laboratory studies of mental processes are often carried out using artificial stimuli that may not represent everyday experiences.
This suggests that research on mental processes may lack ecological validity.

Question 8

What is another weakness of the cognitive approach?

Answer 8

The computer analogy has been criticised by many.
This is because it ignores the influence of human emotion on our ability to process information. For example, research has found that human memory is affected by emotional factors such as anxiety.
This suggests that the computer analogy may be over-simplistic, as although emotion is irrelevant to a computer, it is relevant to a human being.

Question 9

What is a strength of the Biological approach?

Answer 9

One strength of the biological approach is that it uses scientific methods of investigation.
These include brain-scanning techniques and drug trials.
methods = highly controlled and objective, findings = reliable and valid.
This suggests that the biological approach increased the scientific credibility of psychology.

Question 10

.What is a strength of the Biological approach?

Answer 10

One strength of the biological approach is that it has significant applications to the real world.
For example, research into role of neurochemical imbalances in depression has led to the development of drug treatments to treat this imbalance.
These drugs have revolutionised treatment for many.
They have given many sufferers the ability to manage their condition and live a relatively normal life.
This suggests that research from the biological approach has been usefully applied to the real world.

Question 11

What is a weakness of the Biological approach?

Answer 11

There are problems with twin studies.
For example, a crucial assumption underlying twin studies is that the environments of MZ and DZ twins are equivalent.
This allows us to assume greater concordance between MZ twins is a product of greater genetic similarity.
However, Joseph (2004) pointed out that MZ twins are treated more similarly than DZ twins.
This suggests that the differences in concordance rates between MZ and DZ twins could reflect nothing more than the environmental differences that distinguish each type of twin.

Question 12

What is a weakness of the Biological approach? 


Answer 12

One weakness of the biological approach is that it is reductionist.
Only considers the influence of one factor, biology, on behaviour.
Critics argue that we cannot fully understand a behaviour without also taking account of the other factors that influence it, such as cognitive, emotional, and cultural factors.

Question 13

What is a strength of the humanistic approach


Answer 13

One strength is that humanistic psychologists promote a positive image of the human condition. In contrast, Freud saw human beings as slaves to their past, and claimed that all of us exist somewhere between ‘common unhappiness and absolute despair’. Humanistic psychology offers an optimistic alternative as it sees all people as basically good, free to work towards the achievement of their potential and in control of their lives.

Question 14

what is a weakness of the humanistic approach


Answer 14

One weakness is that it has been suggested that humanistic psychology represents an overly idealised,unrealistic view of human nature. The humanistic approach fails to recognise people’s capacity for pessimism and self-destructive behaviour. This suggests that the positive image of the human condition that is offered by humanistic psychology may be an oversimplification.

Question 15

What is a weakness of the humanistic approach


Answer 15

One weakness is that humanistic psychology includes a number of vague, abstract ideas that are difficult to test scientifically
For example, self-actualisation and congruence are difficult to assess under experimental conditions.
Humanistic psychology is therefore short of empirical evidence to support its claims

Question 16

What is a weakness of the humanistic approach


Answer 16


One weakness is that has been suggested that Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is culturally biased.
concepts of self-actualisation are more readily associated with individualistic cultures such as the United States. They do not apply to collectivistic cultures, which emphasise community. This suggests that Maslow’s hierarchy of needs does not apply to all cultures.

Question 17

What is a strength of psychodynamic approach


Answer 17

One strength is that Freud developed a form of therapy called psychoanalysis. Psychoanalysis employs a range of techniques to access the unconscious mind. Maat et al. (2009) concluded that psychoanalysis produced significant improvements in symptoms that were maintained in the years following treatment. This suggests that the psychodynamic approach has led to the development of successful treatments for psychological disorders.

Question 18

What is a strength of psychodynamic approach


Answer 18

One strength is development of the psychodynamic approach represented a huge shift in psychological thinking. Has been used to explain wide range of phenomena, e.g development of psychological disorders. Has also been significant in drawing attention to connection between experiences in childhood +
later behaviour. This suggests that the psychodynamic approach has had a significant influence on psychology.

Question 19

What is a weakness of the psychodynamic approach


Answer 19

One weakness is that the philosopher Karl Popper argued that the psychodynamic approach does not meet the scientific criterion of falsification. Many of Freud’s concepts, e.g defence mechanisms, occur at an unconscious level making them difficult, if not impossible to test and prove. According to Popper this affords psychodynamic theory the status of pseudoscience (‘fake’ science) rather than real science.

Question 20

What is a weakness of psychodynamic approach


Answer 20

One weakness is that Freud’s theory was based upon the intensive study of single individuals. Although his observations were detailed and carefully recorded, critics have suggested that not possible to make universal claims about human nature based upon studies of such a small number of individuals. Furthermore, Freud’s interpretations of his cases were highly subjective. This suggests that Freud’s methods lack scientific rigour.