Debates in Approaches Flashcards
What is the difference between idiographic and nomothetic methods?
Idiographic methods focus on individual cases, while nomothetic methods seek general laws across populations.
How does the psychodynamic approach use idiographic methods?
Freud’s research involved case studies, such as Little Hans, to explore concepts like the Oedipus complex.
This approach gathers qualitative data through interviews and dream analysis.
What is a limitation of the psychodynamic approach’s idiographic focus?
Findings may not be generalizable to the broader population due to the emphasis on individual cases.
How does the behaviourist approach use nomothetic methods?
Behaviourists like Pavlov and Skinner used laboratory experiments with large samples to study conditioning.
They collected quantitative data, such as measuring saliva production.
What is a strength of the behaviourist approach’s nomothetic methods?
Results are more likely to be generalizable to a wider population due to the use of large samples.
How does humanistic psychology utilize idiographic methods?
Humanistic psychologists, including Maslow and Rogers, used case studies and in-depth interviews to explore concepts like self-actualization.
This approach emphasizes personal, subjective experiences.
What is a limitation of the humanistic psychology’s idiographic focus?
It limits generalizability due to its emphasis on small, in-depth studies.
How does the cognitive approach use nomothetic methods?
Cognitive psychologists conduct laboratory experiments with large groups to investigate cognitive processes, collecting quantitative data.
For example, measuring the number of words recalled in memory tests.
What is a strength of the cognitive approach’s nomothetic methods?
The use of large participant groups increases generalizability and provides objective results.
How does social learning theory utilize nomothetic methods?
Bandura’s studies used large groups to examine the impact of observation on behavior, collecting quantitative data.
For instance, measuring aggressive behaviors in children.
What is a strength of social learning theory’s nomothetic methods?
Results can be generalized to a larger population due to the use of large groups.
How does the biological approach use nomothetic methods?
Biological psychologists conduct research on large samples, often using quantitative data to study behavior.
For example, measuring aggression levels after hormone administration.
What is a strength of the biological approach’s nomothetic methods?
It increases generalizability and ensures objectivity through scientific measurement.
What is the psychodynamic approach’s view on free will?
It emphasizes psychic determinism, suggesting behavior is determined by unconscious drives and repressed memories.
What is a limitation of the psychodynamic approach’s psychic determinism?
The concept is unfalsifiable, limiting its scientific value due to the inaccessibility of the unconscious mind.
What is the behaviourist approach’s view on free will?
It supports environmental determinism, arguing behavior is shaped by environmental stimuli and conditioning.
What is a strength of the behaviourist approach’s environmental determinism?
It establishes clear cause-and-effect relationships, making it scientifically valid and testable.
What is the humanistic psychology’s view on free will?
It emphasizes the ability of individuals to make free choices and pursue self-actualization.
What is a limitation of the humanistic psychology’s emphasis on free will?
It contradicts deterministic models and lacks empirical support.
What is the cognitive approach’s view on free will?
It proposes soft determinism, suggesting cognitive structures influence behavior while allowing for individual control.
What is a strength of the cognitive approach’s soft determinism?
It blends determinism and free will, allowing for a more nuanced understanding of behavior.
What is the social learning theory’s view on free will?
It acknowledges that behavior is influenced by environmental factors, but individuals can choose whether to imitate.
What is a strength of social learning theory’s combination of determinism and free will?
It provides a flexible understanding of behavior while maintaining scientific rigor.
What is the biological approach’s view on free will?
It supports biological determinism, arguing behavior is largely determined by genetics and neurochemistry.
