Seminar 3 -> Critiquing behavioural, social and cogntive approaches

Question 1

Behavioural approach

Answer 1

Strengths
- solid foundation in empirical research
- development of useful therapeutic procedures
- treatments based on conditioning effective
- most useful approach for certain populations
Criticsms
- narrow in its description of human personality
- does not consider the role of genetics and biology
- humans are more complex than the lab animals
- reduction to observable behaviours disregards cognition

Question 2

Cognitive approach

Answer 2

Strengths
- ideas developed through empirical findings
- extensive investigation in controlled lab experiments
- fits well within modern psychology
- therapists from other approaches incorporate aspects of cognitive theory in their practise
Criticisms
- some concepts are too abstract for empirical research
- not always well implemented within personality research
- not single model or theory organise to explain personality