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Psychology > 2.1: Approaches > Flashcards

2.1: Approaches Flashcards

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1
Q

Name all 6 psychology approaches

A

behaviourist, social learning theory, cognitive, biological, humanistic and psychodynamic

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2
Q

Outline the key assumptions of the behaviourist approach

A
  • all behaviour is learnt (classical and operant conditioning)
  • only observable behaviour can be objectively and scientifically measured
  • there is no distinction between human and animal behaviour
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3
Q

What methods does the behaviourist approach use?

A

lab experiments, animal studies and observations

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4
Q

Outline the application for the behaviourist approach

A

systematic desensitisation and flooding are both effective for treating phobias based on behaviourist principles

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5
Q

Is the behaviourist approach deterministic or based on free will?

A

deterministic - behaviourists believe that the environment is the only determinant of behaviour

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6
Q

Is the behaviourist approach reductionist or holistic?

A

reductionist - they believe in isolating parts of complex behaviours to study. they also believe all behaviour can be broken down into processes of conditioning

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7
Q

Outline the key assumptions of the social learning theory

A
  • direct reinforcement could not account for all types of learning
  • learning can occur through observing and modelling
    + behaviourist assumptions
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8
Q

What methods does the social learning theory use?

A

lab experiments, observations e.g. the bobo doll study

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9
Q

Outline the application for the social learning theory

A
  • no therapy however it has proved to improve pro-social behaviour and understand the importance of role models and age restrictions
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10
Q

Is the social learning theory determinist or based on free will?

A

determinist - Bandura believes that the environment is the only determinant of behaviour

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11
Q

Is the social learning theory reductionist or holistic?

A

reductionist - Bandura believed in isolating parts of complex behaviours to study. he also believed all behaviour can be broken down into processes of conditioning

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12
Q

Outline the key assumptions of the cognitive approach

A
  • internal mental processes that are not observable directly can still be studied scientifically
  • we have to make inferences about what is going on
  • the minds works similarly to a data-processing machine/computer
  • schemas are a cognitive framework that we have embedded in us to use when reacting to something
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13
Q

What methods does the cognitive approach use?

A

lab experiments, self reports, correlations and case studies

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14
Q

Outline the application of the cognitive approach

A

therapies have been developed based on changing rational thought processes e.g. anger management and CBT are effectively used for anxiety or depression sufferers

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15
Q

Is the cognitive approach deterministic or based on free will?

A

‘soft’ deterministic - sees humans as able to reason and make conscious decisions within the limits of what they know

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16
Q

Is the cognitive approach reductionist or holistic?

A

reductionist - focuses on only cognitions and neglects other factors that may contribute to behaviour

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17
Q

Outline the key assumptions of the biological approach

A
  • all that is psychological is first physiological
  • genetics influence behaviour
  • chemical processes can also influence behaviour
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18
Q

What methods does the biological approach use?

A

brain scans, lab experiments, animal studies, correlations, case studies

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19
Q

Outline the application of the biological approach

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A

therapies developed for psychological problems like OCD and schizophrenia and the approach can also be used to help explain anti-social behaviours like aggression

20
Q

Is the biological approach determinist or based on free will?

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A

determinist - biological psychologists see our behaviour as caused entirely by biological factors over which we have control

21
Q

Is the biological approach reductionist or holistic?

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A

reductionist - it aims at explaining all behaviour with the use of genetic or biochemical processes

22
Q

Outline the key assumptions of the psychodynamic approach

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A
  • physical symptoms are caused by deep-rooted psychological problems within the unconscious mind
  • the unconscious mind influences behaviour
  • adult behaviour is influenced by childhood
23
Q

What method does the psychodynamic approach use?

24
Q

Outline the application of the psychodynamic approach

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A

psychosexual psychotherapy: - used psychoanalysis to bring unconscious mental activity to the conscious mind to release anxiety
- features include dream analysis and word association

25
Is the psychodynamic approach deterministic or free will?
deterministic - the approach rejects the idea of free will as it suggests a person's behaviour is determined by their unconscious behaviours which are shaped by childhood experiences
26
Is the psychodynamic approach reductionist or holistic?
reductionist - explains complex behaviours as manifestations or more primitive biological drives
27
Outline the key assumptions of the humanistic approach
- each person is unique, inherently good, has an innate tendency to self-actualise and can exercise free will - everyone has a hierarchy of needs - everyone has to be in a state of congruency before being able to self-actualise
28
What methods does the humanistic approach use?
observations & case studies
29
Outline the application of the humanistic approach
it has been influential in counseling as person-centered counseling is non-directive and individuals should be supported in finding solutions
30
Is the humanistic approach deterministic or based on free will?
free will - humans have self-determination and free will and behaviour is not the result of any single cause
31
Is the humanistic approach reductionist or holistic?
holistic - they consider the self a functioning whole
32
Describe two strengths of the behaviourist approach
- STRENGTH: uses strict scientific methods so has contributed to psychology's status as a science - STRENGTH: useful in developing therapies e.g. systematic desensitisation so illustrates the positive contribution made by behaviourism
33
Describe two limitations of the behaviourist approach
- LIMITATION: generalisation to humans is limited therefore it could be too mechanistic a view - LIMITATION: individuals are at the mercy of the environment therefore emphasising environmental determinism leaving no room for free will
34
Describe two strengths of the social learning theory
- STRENGTH: addresses the influence of mediational processes on learning therefore offering a more comprehensive theory of behaviour - STRENGTH: has made a contribution to improving pro-social behaviour e.g. age restriction showing SLT has practical application
35
Describe two limitations of the social learning theory
- LIMITATION: still sees behaviour as environmentally determined whereas some behaviour may be innate (e.g. testosterone levels) suggesting SLT cannot provide a complete explanation of behaviour - LIMITATION: relies heavily on research conducted in artificial settings (e.g. the effect of demand characteristics) therefore we cannot say SLT is a valid explanation
36
Describe two strengths of the cognitive approach
- STRENGTH: there is a strong focus on scientific research contributing to the scientific credibility of psychology - STRENGTH: has led to the development of therapies based on irrational thought processes e.g. CBT and anger management showing cognitive psychology has practical application for dealing with atypical behaviour
37
Describe two limitations of the cognitive approach
- LIMITATION: direct observation of mental processes is not possible and must be inferred from therefore mistakes are easily made and conclusions may not be valid - LIMITATION: approach can be mechanistic in regarding human thinking as processing like the computer, leaving little room for explanation of irrationality in certain behaviours
38
Describe two strengths of the biological approach
- STRENGTH: it relies on supporting evidence from scientific methods, showing the techniques are objective and therefore conclusions are unbiased and more reliable - STRENGTH: has led to developing treatments for psychological problems
39
Describe two limitations of the biological approach
- LIMITATION: there is a difficulty in separating environmental and genetic influences in family and twin studies and we can therefore not say that genes are the only influence on behaviour making the explanation incomplete - LIMITATION: the approach is highly deterministic suggesting that we do not have free will, and therefore providing excuses for anti-social behaviour
40
Describe two strengths of the psychodynamic approach
-STRENGTH: it has been extremely influential in understanding behaviour e.g. emphasis on childhood experiences and the use of qualitative data - STRENGTH: led to the development of psychoanalysis suggesting the effective applications of the approach
41
Describe two limitations of the psychodynamic approach
- LIMITATION: it lacks scientific rigour and there is difficulty testing the concepts objectively meaning the theory can be falsified - LIMITATION: it can be argued to androcentric e.g. the emphasis on male development suggesting the approach is gender biased and incomplete
42
Describe two strengths of the humanistic approach
- STRENGTH: it is holistic, meaning the approach could be more valid than alternatives - STRENGTH: it has had influence in counseling (client-led)
43
Outline Wundt's assumptions
- aspects of the mind could be observed and measured in controlled conditions - introspection could be used to study the inner mental processes of a person by using accounts of their experiences - the mind could be studied empirically with experiments
44
Describe a strength of Wundt's work
- STRENGTH: contributed to the development of scientific methods meaning we can establish cause and effect
45
Describe two limitations of Wundt's work
- LIMITATION: his results could not be reproduced making the results unreliable - LIMITATION: introspection is not objective as the processes measured are subjective and unobservable meaning the results would not be valid

Psychology (12 decks)

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