lesson 9 comparison of approaches

Question 1

Focus of study for the learning theories

Answer 1

behaviour in non-human and human animals

Question 2

focus of study for cognitive approach

Answer 2

cognitive processes such as memory and attention

Question 3

focus of study for biological approach

Answer 3

biological processes, brain structures, hormones and nervous system

Question 4

focus of study for psychodynamic approach

Answer 4

unconscious processes, repressed memories and fantasies

Question 5

focus of study for humanistic approach

Answer 5

conscious experience

Question 6

nature vs nurture debate for learning approach

Answer 6

all behaviour comes from learned associations, reinforcement contingencies or observation and imitation
It follows the nurture debate

Question 7

what would Pavlov say about the learning theory for the nature vs nurture debate?

Answer 7

that we need to be able to make an association between the neutral and unconditioned stimulus and this can only happen through experience

Question 8

what would Bandura say about the social learning theory for the nature vs nurture debate?

Answer 8

that we need to have role models to observe and imitate and this would need to happen through experiences

Question 9

Biological approach for nature vs nurture debate

Answer 9

behaviour is a result of genetic blueprint that we inherit from our parents so it focuses on nature eg if our parents have the schizophrenia gene we will have it as well

Question 10

psychodynamic approach for nature vs nurture debate

Answer 10

our behaviour is driven by biological drives and instincts such as being born with Eros and thanatos which are both drives for survival which is nature
Relationships with parents also play a role for future development which is nurture eg regards to fixation in stages

Question 11

humanistic approach for nature vs nurture debate

Answer 11

parents, friends and wider society has a critical impact on a persons self-concept which is based on nurture
Also focuses on esteem, physiological and safety needs which are dependent on environment and experiences eg for safety needs to be met we need to have a home which is based on nurture

Question 12

cognitive approach for nature vs nurture debate

Answer 12

many of our information processing abilities and schema are innate so nature eg babies are born with the ability to use basic schemas and knowledge
But also we are constantly refining through experience which is nurture eg babies needs environmental experience to understand what not to put in their mouth

Question 13

define determinism

Answer 13

proposes we have no control over our behaviour and all behaviour has an internal or external cause and is thus predictable

Question 14

define free will

Answer 14

proposes that we have choice over what actions and behaviours we will carry out and we are thus active agents of our environment

Question 15

behaviourist approach for determinism vs free will

Answer 15

all behaviour as environmentally determined by external influences that we are unable to control eg a phobia caused by a traumatic experience where a neutral stimulus is associated with an unconditioned stimulus and the conditioned response of fear occurs- maintained through negative reinforcement and the process of avoidance

Question 16

Biological approach for determinism vs free will

Answer 16

biological determinism which states that our behaviour is directed by genetic influence eg SERT and COMT gene which has been implicated in OCD
If we inherit gene likely to develop OCD in future
We have no free will on having this gene so having OCD in the future has been biologically determined for us

Question 17

Psychodynamic approach for determinism vs free will

Answer 17

psychic determinism is a feature that we cannot control the unconscious forces driven by childhood experiences that drive our behaviour but there are rationalised by our conscious mind
Eg fixation causes certain personality traits in adulthood that child can’t choose so no free will

Question 18

what three approaches show hard determinism ?

Answer 18

behaviourist
Biological
Psychodynamic

Question 19

Cognitive approach for determinism vs free will

Answer 19

soft determinism
It suggests that we are the choosers of our own thoughts and behaviours but are limited to only what we know and have experienced eg schemes are determined by our interaction with the environment which is determinism but we choose our memories in what to remember or not remember which is free will

Question 20

social learning approach for determinism and free will

Answer 20

uses the idea of reciprocal determinism which thinks that we influence the environment as well as the environment influencing us so we can choose to perform certain behaviours eg observation and imitation is determined by our role models but we choose to observe and model

Question 21

Humanistic approach for determinism and free will

Answer 21

human beings have free will and operate as active agents who determine their own development, behaviour and choices eg humanistic approach argues that in order to achieve self-actualisation we must achieve other levels but we can choose what job we do so you have free will

Question 22

Behaviourists ideas for psychology as a science

Answer 22

psychology is a science and all human behaviour should be observable
adopt the S-R approach in studying human behaviour
Adopt the experimental method in studying human behaviour in terms of operant and classical conditioning which allows for high degrees of replication

Question 23

Social learning theorists ideas for psychology as a science

Answer 23

sees psychology as a science
Adopt the scientific method by using experiments eg Bandura and bobo doll experiment
Lab experiments carried carried out under controlled conditions using a matched pairs design and a clear IV and DV

Question 24

cognitive approach ideas for psychology as a science

Answer 24

sees psychology as a science
Adopt the experimental method but because mental processes are not observable they use inferences
Approach is now scientific as cognitive neuroscience has emerged so fMRIs and other things used to see structures of the brain during activites

Question 25

biological approach ideas for psychology as a science

Answer 25

Sees psychology as a science All behaviour due to our biology whether it be genes, neurotransmitters and brain damage Seen as very similar to biology Eg biological approach uses fMRI scans, postmortems, EEGS, ERPs to study the brain All these methods are scientific as they are measured objectively

Question 26

psychodynamic approach ideas for psychology as a science

Answer 26

focuses on the case study method and subjective experiences so difficult to adopt the scientific method Brain scans have been carried out to study the ID, EGO and SUPEREGO and sleep and dreaming under lab conditions

Question 27

Humanistic approach ideas for psychology as a science

Answer 27

focuses on the growth of the self so does not adopt the scientific method eg it is difficult to study congruence or self concept in a lab study as both ideas are subjective so difficult to observe

Question 28

how does the biological approach explain and treat disorders?

Answer 28

mental illness is due to chemical imbalances in the brain so they can be treated through drug therapy Eg SSRIs increase the amount of serotonin in the brain so can be used as treatment for depression and OCD

Question 29

how does the behaviourist approach explain and treat disorders?

Answer 29

two-process model argues that phobias are initiated through classical conditioning and maintain through operant conditioning so in order to treat the phobia it must be counter conditioned through flooding or systematic desensitisation

Question 30

how does the cognitive approach explain and treat disorders?

Answer 30

argues that mental illness is due to faulty informational processing and irrational thinking and Beck’s cognitive trait argues that a person has depression because they have negative views about themselves, the world and the future Treatment has to change their thinking pattern which is cognitive behavioural therapy by replacing negative thoughts with new positive thoughts

Question 31

how does the psychodynamic approach explain and treat disorders?

Answer 31

Argues that mental illness is due to unresolved unconscious memories stemming from childhood and can be resolved by psychoanalysis which involves hypnosis, free association, dream analysis and projective tests These techniques allow the individual to relive their childhood experiences and through a process of catharsis release anxieties out into the open

Question 32

how does the humanistic approach explain and treat disorders?

Answer 32

States that mental illness is generally due to not receiving unconditional positive regard in childhood as well as imposed conditions of worth Also due to feeling incongruent Individual counselling is given to help them feel more positive about themselves and counsellor shows unconditional positive regard and empathy