Learning theories evaluation points

Question 1

Behaviourism evaluation points.
(6)

Answer 1

• Studies behaviours that are observable and quantifiable. (s)
• Uses animal experiments as humans and animals exhibit very similar learning patterns. (w)
• Experiments are lab controlled. (s)
• Some argue that it is too mechanistic and ignores free will. (w)
• Led to flooding and exposure therapy. (s)
• Ignore nurture and genes. (w)

Question 2

Biological evaluation points.
(7)

Answer 2

• Does not consider emotions. (w)
• Has led to the use of certain drugs in medicine. (s)
• Can explain some phobias. (s)
• Can explain children’s innate tendency to form attachments with their parents. (s)
• Uses twin studies. (s/w)
• Brain scans which are scientific. (s)
• Biological approach does not account for the wide base of evidence pointing to our environment’s influence (e.g. culture and society). (w)

Question 3

Psychodynamic evaluation points.
(6)

Answer 3

• Relies heavily on case studies which only involve one person making results not generalisable. (w)
• Has led to psychotherapy
  (little Hans). (s)
• Freud was addicted to cocaine and many of his experiments are up to interpretation. (w)
• Unscientific. (w)
• Accounts for the impact of childhood on adulthood. (s)
• Relies heavily on the untestable concept of the unconscious. (w)

Question 4

Humanistic evaluation points.
(5)

Answer 4

• Emphasises individual choice. (s)
• Cultural bias whilst western cultures focus on themselves and self-actualisation not all do for example India. (w)
• Has created Humanistic therapy (s)
• Not reductionist focuses on humans as a whole and how they can improve themselves. (s)
• Too vague (w)

Question 5

Cognitive approach evaluation points.
(4)

Answer 5

• Has been used to create cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). (S)
• Uses Lab experiments which means it lacks ecological validity. (w)
• Uses Lab experiments which is good as cause and effect relationships can be observed. (s)
• Has real-world application as schemas can explain why we are quick to jump to conclusions thus the cognitive interview (s)

Question 6

SLT evaluation points.
(5)

Answer 6

• The SLT has a real-world application as it can be used to explain cultural differences in aggression. (s)
• It has supporting experiments (Bandura). (s)
• Ethical issues make it hard to produce any modern evidence as it would require experimenting with children (w)
• The SLT ignores biological factors, for example, no real explanation for why boys were more aggressive than girls in Bandura’s study (w)
• SLT puts emphasis on cognitive factors by recognising the role of mediational processes. (s)