Key Approaches

Question 1

Name 5 AO1 assumptions of the psychodynamic approach.

Answer 1

1. Freud- Decisions are due to the unconscious process that we can’t control.
2. The unconscious is where traumatic events are pushed (repressed) by our defence system e.g. denial.
3. Our instincts in the unconscious motivate our behaviour. Eros life instinct for erotics, and Thanatos death on aggression.
4. Childhood experiences determine our adult behaviour. 5 stages: Oral, anal, phallic, latent, genital. If a trauatic event happens in one of these stages, you are stuck in it.
5. The personality is split into 3: id, ego and superego.

Question 2

What is the key case study in the psychodynamic approach?

Answer 2

Little Hans.

Question 3

Name 4 strengths of the psychodynamic approach.

Answer 3

1. Acknowledgement of childhood taking effect.
2. Explanations for underlying behaviour e.g. denial, displacement.
3. Freud’s methods are still used today-valid.
4. Case studies provide good evidence and experience.

Question 4

Name 4 limitations of the psychodynamic response.

Answer 4

1. Unscientific methods, unconscious hard to test.
2. As it is unscientific, it may not be valid or reliable.
3. It may be unethical to compare sexual stages with children- been criticised.
4. Contrasts Humanism as Freud says free will is a delusion.

Question 5

Name the 4 main assumptions of the humanstic approach.

Answer 5

1. Carl Rodgers- humans are unique and should be viewed whole.
2. Humans are active agents able to control own development. Their consciousness is the awareness of one’s real self.
3. Humans have free will and choose their own paths to get to their ideal self.
4. Humans seek value and strive to self actualisation. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs: sex, food, sleep; safety in environment; feeling love and belonging; self esteem; self actualisation. You need these to become a fully functional healthy human.

Question 6

Name 4 strengths of humanism.

Answer 6

1. View everyone with free will and control which is more accepted and ethical.
2. Thinks positively and promotes a good message by striving to achieve.
3. Considers each individual of value and importance.
4. PCT used by counsellors today- valid ideas and a working therapy.

Question 7

Name 4 limitations of humanism.

Answer 7

1. Unscientific methods used so reliability and evidence may lack.
2. Neglects biological theories that have evidence.
3. Believe everyone is capable to achieve, neglecting disability etc.
4. Individual emotions are hard to study objectively.

Question 8

Name 4 main assumptions of the cognitive approach.

Answer 8

1. Believe in internal mental processes like memory between a stimulus and response.
2. Believe the mind is like a computer- input, process, output.
3. Connectionist model is where the mind is made of neurons and these connect to form a pattern which demonstrates a learnt association between 2 stimuli.
4. Humans organise and manipulate information from the environment.

Question 9

Name 4 strengths of the cognitive approach.

Answer 9

1. Focuses on mental processing, unlike behaviourism.
2. Valid and reliable from scientific methods.
3. Models used effectively to explain theories.
4. Can improve eye witness statements by establishing how someone can process and recall information.

Question 10

Name 4 limitations of the cognitive approach.

Answer 10

1. Models been criticised to ignore complexities of the mind.
2. Unethical to view humans as machines- don’t like concept.
3. Doesn’t incorporate emotions.
4. Lab experiments may not generalise.

Question 11

Name 3 main assumptions of behaviourism.

Answer 11

1. Behaviour is learnt. Tabula Rasa, John Locke, blank state. Link to classical conditioning, association, Little Albert and Pavlov’s dogs.
2. Behaviour is more likely to be repeated if a positive outcome (Law of Effect). Link to operant conditioning, +ive and -ive reinforcement, and Skinner’s rats.
3. Behaviour should be studied visibly and consciously.

Question 12

Name 3 strengths of behaviourism.

Answer 12

1. Can explain nurture side very well in the nature-nurture debate.
2. Has experimental methods making claims valid.
3. Can be used in behavioural shaping therapy for autism using operant conditioning.

Question 13

Name 3 limitations of behaviourism.

Answer 13

1. Unethical using rats and children, can’t generalise.
2. Ignores biological (nature) and cognitive mental processes.
3. Thinks you have mercy to the environment. Contrasts humanism.

Question 14

Name 4 main assumptions of social learning theory.

Answer 14

1. Learn through observing others resulting in behaviour. A- attention (observing). R- retention (remembering). M- motor reproduction (replicating). M- motivation (why).
2. Mediating cognitive factors lie between a stimulus and response.
3. Learn by observing live models (people) and symbolic (characters).
4. Learn through vicarious, direct and indirect reinforcement.

Question 15

Name 3 strengths of social learning theory.

Answer 15

1. Both experimental and non-experimental methods used showing observational learning such as Bandura bobo doll. Boys more aggressive.
2. Can explain gender roles in behaviour e.g. girls more likely to copy friendly female with a higher status.
3. Arguments for both mind and environment influencing behaviour.

Question 16

Name 5 limitations of social learning theory.

Answer 16

1. Unethical with children.
2. Neglects genetics/biological.
3. Neglects free will/humanism.
4. Hard to explain individual differences and different learning methods like positive reinforcement.
5. Doesn’t fully explain all aspects of behaviour e.g. criminals with non in family.

Question 17

Name the 3 main assumptions of the biological approach.

Answer 17

1. Human characteristics are defined by genes -twin studies -mice test Bock and Goole.
2. Human genes have evolved to adapt to the environment- Charles Darwin, natural/sexual selection.
3. Chemical reactions in the brain determine behaviour- synapses - brain structure e.g. Broca’s area.

Question 18

Name 3 strengths of the biological approach.

Answer 18

1. Successful in treating some disorders like depression due to manipulating neurotransmitters.
2. Can explain nature side really well -autonomic NS.
3. Scientific methods so claims are valid and reliable -methods of cortical specialisation.

Question 19

Name 3 limitations of the biological approach.

Answer 19

1. Neglects environmental factors.
2. Subjective, genes are the cause of every characteristic.
3. Methods can be invasive and unethical -electrical stimulation/neurosurgery also with rats -radioactive glucose