Lesson 13: Comparison of approaches Flashcards
Free will vs determinism
Biological - biological determinism, behaviour is controlled by internal biological factors (e.g genes)
Behavioural - environmental determinism, behaviour is controlled by stimulus-response assoication
Social Learning theory - soft determinism, behaviour can be controlled by schemas etc. but individuals choose what information they attend to
Psychodynamic - psychi-determinism, behaviour is determined by unconscious instincts and drives
Humanist - free will, humans control their own behaviour
Nature vs Nurture
Biological - nature, behaviour is the result of innate, biological factors
Behaviourist - nurture, humans are born as a ‘blank slate’ so all behaviour is learned
Social learning theory - nurture, behaviour is learned through observation and imitation of models
Cognitive - nature and nurture, behaviour is the product of information processing (nature) which can be modified by experience (nurture)
Psychodynamic - nature and nurture, behaviour is the product of innate drives as well as childhood experiences
Humanist - nurture, behaviour is shaped by the environment as humans strive to achieve self-actualisation
Reductionism vs Holism
Biological - biological reductionism, behaviour is broken down into biological structures
Behaviourist - environmental reductionism, behaviour is broken down into stimulus-response association
Social learning theory - Holistic, takes into account both behavioural and cognitive factors in behaviour
Cognitive - holistic, but also accused of machine reductionism by comparing human mind to computer
Psychodynamic - holistic, proposes personality is the dynamic between instincts, drives and childhood experiences
Humanist - holistic, focuses on understanding all aspects of human experience
Idiographic and Nomothetic
Biological - scientific, promotes scientific methods e.g. brain scanning, uses animal research
Behaviourist - scientific, utilises scientific methods e.g laboratory experiements, uses animal research
Social learning theory - mostly scientific, utilises scientific methods but also considers subjective mediational processes
Cognitive - mostly scientific, utilises scientific methods e.g. lab research but also researches concepts not directly observable
Psychodynamic - nomothetic and idiographic, attempts to establish general laws e.g psychosexual stages, but also utilises case studies and considers unique childhood experiences
Humanist - idiographic, focuses on the subjective human experience
Applications
Biological - Drug treatments (SSRIs for depression)
Behaviourist - token economy, systematic desensitisation and flooding
Social learning theory - Age rating on films and games
Cognitive - cbt, rebt and anger management
Psychodynamic - psychotherapy
Humanist - counselling
