Approaches - Comparisons Flashcards
(26 cards)
Scientific
Behaviourism
Behaviourists are seen as highly scientific as they focus entirely on observable stimuli and responses, for example Pavlov and Skinner’s experiments. Their work, using rage samples and control conditions allows for precise replication of findings on conditioning.
Pavlov
Scientific
SLT
Social learning theorists use experimental methods and large samples to investigate concepts like modelling vicarious reinforcement and mediational processes. These processes cannot be directly observed but are inferred from behaviour, inference is a valid method so long as experimental rigour is used with qualifiable hypothesis.
bandura
Scientific
Cognitive psychology
Cognitive psychologist use controlled experiments to support theories like the working memory model. Theoretical models represent internal mental processes that cannot be directly observed.
Loftus and Palmer
Scientific
Biological psychology
Biological psychologists study directly observable physical processes such as brain activity; they also use objective measuring devices such as fMRI scanners DNA sequences and blood tests. Large scale placebo control trials are used to test drugs. This focus on objective measurement means biological psychology is seen as highly scientific.
Nestadt et al
Scientific
Psychodynamic
Freud based his theories on case studies; clients would use introspection to report on their internal state of mind. The use of a case study is not seen as scientific due to the potential of bias in the researchers interpretation. Additionally, concepts like the super ego are not operationally defined meaning they cannot be scientifically studied.
Freuds theories Oedipus and electra complex
Scientific
Humanistic
Humanists reject the scientific method completely, arguing that human behaviour is too complex to be reduced simple variables that can be measured scientifically. They also reject the course and effect principle that scientific research depends on. This means humanistic psychology lacks empirical evidence to support its claim.
Rogers client centred therapy.
Scientific overall
Behaviourist approach - scientific
Social learning theory - mostly scientific
Cognitive approach - mostly scientific
Biological approach - scientific
Psychodynamic approach - not scientific
Humanistic approach - scientific
Reductionism VS holism
Behaviourism
Behaviours are highly reductionist they explain behaviour even complex behaviours as due to a chain of stimulus response links.
Pavlov
Reductionism VS holism
Social learning theory
Social learning theorists whilst agreeing behaviour is due to stimulus response mechanisms, are less reductionist than behaviourists as they include the role of internal mental processes.
Mediational processes
Reductionism VS holism
The computer analogy explains the mind and brain are similar to the CPU and software, this is argued to be machine reductionist an over simplistic view that ignores the important and complex role of emotions and irrationality in humans.
MSM
Reductionism versus holism
Biological approach
Behaviour such as aggression, attachment and mental health conditions like schizophrenia are explained as the result of chemical processes within the brain. The highly reductionist explanation oversimplifies the complex and highly personal experience of having an emotion and ignores the role of cognitive and cultural forces..
Low seretonin OCD Piggot et al
Reductionism VS holism
Psychodynamic approach
Psychodynamics is not reductionist as its explanation for behaviour includes a range of factors such as the biological changes that happen in childhood experiences during the psychosexual stages that shaped the unconscious mind and how the unconscious mind interacts with the conscious mind.
Freuds psychosexual stages
Reductionism VS holism
Humanistic approach
Humanists argue against any reductionist explanations of behaviour they claim the only valid explanation is holistic. This means if an individual experience is to be explained the west range of factors needs to be included from biological factors and direct experience to education social learning and culture.
Maslow hierarchy of needs
Reductionism VS holism overall
Behaviourist – environmental reductionism
Social learning theory – shares ideas from behavioural and cognitive approach
Cognitive approach - environmental reductionism
Biological approach - biological reductionism
Psychodynamic – reductionism and holism
Humanistic – holism
Determinism VS free will
Behaviourism
Behaviour are hard environmental determinists behaviour is as a result of interruptions with environment. When rewarded behaviour is more likely to be repeated.
Phobias learned through classical and operant conditioning.
Determinism VS free will
Social learning theory
Environmentally deterministic however Bandura also argued for reciprocal determinism in that our behaviour determines the environment.
Mediational processes (free will)
Charlton et al (determinism)
Determinism VS free will
Cognitive approach
Cognitive psychologists are soft determinists arguing there are causal factors that influence behaviour. But people learn through schema which required experience.
Beck’s cognitive theory of depression.
Determinism VS free will
Biological psychology
Biological determinism suggest behaviour is entirely caused by our physical nature including hormones, brains neurotransmitters and genes.
SERT Osaki et al
Determinism VS free will
Psychodynamic approach
Psychodynamic research argue for psychic determinism the idea that unconscious thoughts and drives shape our conscious behaviours. There are formed through childhood experiences.
Defence mechanisms
Determinism VS free will
Humanistic
Humanistic psychologists are the only approach that argues for free will the idea that humans have agency we are able to make our own decisions free from restraints and we have moral responsibility for those choices.
Personal responsibility and conscious choice Rogers
Nature versus nurture
Behaviourist approach
Behaviourists argue the most important influence on behaviour are environmental factors. Rewarding experiences causes behaviour to be repeated. There is sometimes the world of nature including in Bourne reflex actions for example the dog being able to drool.
Token economies

Nature VS nurture
Social learning theory
Social learning theorists explain behaviour through nurture including the direct stimulus response mechanisms of behaviourist and social experiences such as observing models and vicarious reinforcement.
Use of modelling in therapy to alter maladaptive behaviour.
Nature VS nurture
Cognitive psychology
Cognitive psychologists argue both aspects are important, as internal mental processes run on the physical biological hardware of the brain. In terms of nurture schemas are developed through experience.
Piaget assimilation and accommodation
Nature VS nurture
Biological approach
The most important influence of behaviour are hereditary. They explain behaviour is due to inheritance of DNA this codes for biological processes such as neurotransmitters.
Brunner et al MAOA gene aggression
