Final EXAM Strengths and Weaknesses of perspectives

Question 1

What are the strengths of the Trait approach?

Answer 1

Description; Testable concepts; Parsimony; Heuristic value; Applied value

Question 2

Why is testable concepts a strength of the TRAIT approach?

Answer 2

Because traits can be operationalised and tested. Especially in the NEO which is a clear measurement of the big 5 factors. Unlike the psychoanalytic perspective where it is hard to measure psychic energy

Question 3

Why is the TRAIT approach strong in “description”?

Answer 3

Because it allows us to simplify personality. Especially from 4500 trait names down to 5 or so

Question 4

Is the TRAIT approach high in heuristic value?

Answer 4

YES. This approach has stimulated a lot of research and also several researches looking at the same concepts produces VALIDITY IN CONCEPTS

Question 5

Is the TRAIT approach high in Applied value? Why or why not?

Answer 5

Yes, because traits are measured in nearly every form of therapeutic assessment. Also the MMPI and findings for conscientiousness in the workplace

Question 6

What are some criticisms of the TRAIT approach?

Answer 6

(1) Testable concepts (faking behaviour); (2) Explanation (what are the origins of personality?) (3) No school of psychotherapy (4) Empirical validity: Trait measures do not always predict behaviour in situations well (Mishel)

Question 7

What are the Strengths of Freud’s Psychoanalytic theory?

Answer 7

Description; Explanation; Comprehensive; Heuristic value; Applied value

Question 8

What is Freud’s theory high in description?

Answer 8

Because he provides a comprehensive description of personality and the origins of personality structure

Question 9

Is Freuds theory high in explanation?

Answer 9

In SOME concepts yes. Especially in the explanation of defence mechanisms.

Question 10

Is Freuds theory high in empirical validity and testable concepts? Why or why not?

Answer 10

Some are. We know defence mechanisms exist and can be tested. Also there is support for anal and oral personality types Aggressive humour can also be cathartic:

Question 11

Is Freud’s theory comprehensive?

Answer 11

Yes it can explain many types of behaviour

Question 12

Is Freud’s theory high on Heuristic value?

Answer 12

Definatly, it has stemmed a lot of research and disagreement. Also initiated the Neo-Freudians; Also first psychotherapeutic school; Defense mechanisms; Role of unconscious minds;

Question 13

Applied value for Freud’s theory?

Answer 13

Yes, stimulated research into the psychological treatment of individual’s in a more humane manner

Question 14

Is Freud’s theory Parsimonious?

Answer 14

It is perhaps to parsimonious, does only two instincts really motivated all behaviour?

Question 15

Is Freud’s theory empirically valid?

Answer 15

Lack of scientific support. Reliance on case study method. Objectivity is questioned as all content and meaning was subjectively viewed and decided upon by Freud’s lense

Question 16

What are the criticisms of Freud’s model?

Answer 16

Overly parsimonious; Empirical Validity; Testable concepts

Question 17

E\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ overlooked 
Overemphasis on \_\_\_
Pessimistic
Time-consuming and expensive \_\_\_\_\_\_
S\_\_\_\_\_ 

are secondary criticisms of Freud’s theory

Answer 17

environment; sex; therapy; sexist;

Question 18

The _______ approach provides a bridge between personality and biology

Answer 18

biological

Question 19

What are some strengths of the BIOLOGICAL APPROACH?

Answer 19

Testable concepts (physiology), Heuristic value (first perspective to involved biology and evolution) Parsimony (Eysenck attempted to define three super traits) Empirical validity (A lot of these researchers were academics)

Question 20

What are some weaknesses of the BIOLOGICAL APPROACH?

Answer 20

Applied value (the biological perspective does not have a school of psychotherapy; also states that an individual cannot change) Explanation (Do all behaviours and emotions serve ONLY an evolutionary purpose?)

Question 21

What are some criticisms of the COGNITIVE APPROACH

Answer 21

Empirical validity (Kelly’s theory not subject to experimental rigour, also interpretation of the REP test can be problematic)

Question 22

What are strengths of the the COGNITIVE APPROACH?

Answer 22

Applied value (many schools of psychotherapy) Testable concepts (some methods of assessing an individuals construct system) Description (Ellis theory very clear); Heuristic bale (Very popular in the UK; also rise of cognitive psychology)

Question 23

What are the strengths of the HUMANISTIC approach?

Answer 23

• Description – good face validity
• Heuristic value – moved from the pessimism of psychoanalytic to optimism; growth of positive psychology
• Empirical validity – person centred therapy can be good, but quite subjective
Applied value – YES therapy, education, workplace, self-help

Question 24

What are criticisms of the HUMANISTIC approach?

Answer 24

• Description – limited total description of behaviour, does not explain behaviour, biology is not referenced
• Explanation – inconsistencies in Maslow’s theory
• Testable concepts – very hard testable concepts, how do we measure self-actualisations?
• Parsimonious – too simple, does not account for psychopathology
• Comprehensiveness – limited, except later in Roger’s life;
• Also person-centred therapy may not be useful for those with sever psychological disorders

Question 25

Is the person centred therapy of the HUMANISTIC approach useful in sever psychological disorders?

Answer 25

No

Question 26

Is the HUMANISTIC approach parsimonious?

Answer 26

It is TOO parsiomonious

Question 27

Is the HUMANISTIC theory high in descriptiveness?

Answer 27

No, it has limited descriptions and predictions of behaviour