comparison of approaches

Question 1

which presents the most coherent theory of child development

Answer 1

psycodynamic as its concepts and processes are specific psycosexual stages which are determined by age. however, Freud saw very little further development once a child enters the genital stage in their teen years

Question 2

how has cognitive approach contributed to understanding of child development

Answer 2

as part of intellectual development, children form an increasingly complex schema as they get older

Question 3

how does biological approach show child development

Answer 3

maturation is an important principle in the biological approach as genetically determined changes in a child’s physiological status influence psychological and behavioural characteristics

Question 4

how does humanist approach view child development

Answer 4

development of the self as ongoing throughout life. however, childhood is a particularly important period and child’s relationship with their parents is important in terms of unconditional positive regard

Question 5

how do behaviourist approach and social learning theory view child development

Answer 5

do not offer coherent stage theories of development but instead see the processes that underpin learning as continuous, occuring at any age

Question 6

how do biological and behaviourist approaches contrast in terms of the nature nurture debate

Answer 6

-biological approach and learning approaches are far apart in terms of nature and nurture
-behaviourists categorised that brain as a blank slate at birth and suggest all behaviour comes about through learned associations, reinforcement contingencies or, in some case of social learning theory, observation and imitation
-in contrast, biological approach argues from a position that behaviour is the result of genetic blueprint that we inherit from our parents (genotype) but the way we expresses it (phenotype) is influenced by our environment

Question 7

how did psychodynamic approach view that nature, nurture debate

Answer 7

Freud thought that much of behaviour was driven by biological drives and instincts, but also he saw relationships with parents as playing a fundamental role in future development

Question 8

humanistic approach of nature nurture debate

Answer 8

regarded parents, friends and wider society as having critical impact on the person’s self-concept

Question 9

cognitive approach view on nature nurture debate

Answer 9

recognise many of our information processing abilities and scheme are innate, they constantly refined through experience

Question 10

how is behaviourist approach reductionist

Answer 10

sense that it breaks up complex behaviour into stimulus-response units for ease in testing in the lab

Question 11

biological approach view on reductionism

Answer 11

reductionist in the way that it explains human behaviour and psychological states at the level of the gene or the neuron

Question 12

psychodynamic approach view on reductionism

Answer 12

reduces much of our behaviour to influence of sexual desires and biological instincts, although Freud’s argument that personality is often viewed as a more holistic explanation

Question 13

cognitive approach view on reductionism

Answer 13

machine reductionism as presents people as information processing systems and ignores influence of emotions on behaviour

Question 14

social learning theory view on reductionism

Answer 14

like behaviourists, reduce complex learning to a handful of key processes (imitation, modelling etc) though they do not at least place emphasis on cognitive factors that medicate learning, and how these interictal with external influences

Question 15

humanist view on reductionism

Answer 15

formulates a holistic approach to understanding human behaviour. this involves investigating all aspects of the individual, including the effects of interaction with others and wider society

Question 16

what does determinism propose

Answer 16

that all behaviour has an internal or external cause so is therefore predictable

Question 17

behaviourist approach view on determinism

Answer 17

sees all behaviour as determined by external influences that we are unable to control (such as operant conditioning)

Question 18

biological approach view on determinism

Answer 18

advocates for genetic determinism as assumes much of our behaviour is directed by innate influences

Question 19

psychodynamic approach view on determinism

Answer 19

psychic determinism is a key feature of psychodynamic approach as unconscious forces drive our behaviour as the ultimate cause of behaviour, and that these are simply rationalised by our conscious minds

Question 20

which approaches are hard determinist

Answer 20

-behaviourist
-biological
-psychodynamic

Question 21

which approaches are soft determinism

Answer 21

-cognitive approach
-social learning theory

Question 22

cognitive approach view on determinism

Answer 22

suggests we are choosers of our own thoughts and behaviours, yet these choices can only operate within the limits of what we know and have experienced, so advocates soft determinism

Question 23

social learning theory approach view on determinism

Answer 23

social learning theorists such as Bandura put forward the notion of reciprocal determinism which is the idea that we are influenced by our environment but also exert influence on it by the behaviours we choose to perform, so is soft determinist

Question 24

humanistic approach view on determinism

Answer 24

assertion that humans have free will and operate as active agents who determine their own environment, so reject determinism

Question 25

behaviourist approach view on treating and explaining psychological disorders

Answer 25

sees abnormality as arising from maladaptive or faulty learning in the sense that inappropriate or destructive patterns of behaviour have been reinforced. behaviour therapies such as systematic desensitisation, which aim to condition. new, more healthy responses have been applied successfully to treatment of phobias

Question 26

social learning theory approach view on treating and explaining psychological disorders

Answer 26

relatively little application to treatment, but the principles of modelling and observational learning have been used to explain how negative behaviours such as modelling and observational learning have been used to explain how negative behaviours such as aggression may be learned through influence of dysfunctional role models

Question 27

psychodynamic approach view on treating and explaining psychological disorders

Answer 27

Freud saw anxiety disorders as emerging from unconscious conflicts, childhood trauma and the overuse of defence mechanisms. psychoanalysis has has some success as a therapy but it not appropriate for everyone because it requires a considerable input form the patient in terms of time and also ability to talk about and reflect on emotions

Question 28

cognitive approach view on treating and explaining psychological disorders

Answer 28

cognitive therapy is effective and applicable, especially when combines with behaviour therapy as CBT. it aims to identify and eradicate the faulty thinking which is assumed to be the root cause of maladaptive behaviour

Question 29

humanistic approach view on treating and explaining psychological disorders

Answer 29

humanistic therapy based on Rodgers philosophy that closes the gap between the self-concept and the ideal self will increase self esteem and stimulate personal growth

Question 30

biological approach view on treating and explaining psychological disorders

Answer 30

claim the biological approach has revolutionised the treatment of mental disorders through the development of drug therapy which regulated chemical imbalances in the brain