What is one strength of Wundt and introspection?
Wundt’s methods were scientific- standardised and extraneous variables controlled
What is one limitation of Wundt and introspection?
Some aspects are not scientific- subjective data, participants self-reported their thoughts
What is one strength of psychology emerging as a science?
Modern psychology- learning, cognitive and biological approaches use scientific methods (eg. lab research)
What is one limitation of psychology emerging as a science?
Some approaches are less scientific- humanistic and psychodynamic approaches produce subjective data, studying humans creates demand characteristics
What are two strengths of the behaviourist approach?
- Well-controlled research- demonstrating causal relationships, high scientific credibility
- Real-world application- token economy used in prisons and psychiatry
What is the counterpoint to well-controlled research for the behaviourist approach?
Reducing behaviour is this way removes important influences on behaviour (eg. thought)
What is one limitation of the behaviourist approach?
Environmental determinism- all behaviour determined by past experience, ignores conscious decision-making
What are two strengths of social learning theory?
- Cognitive factors- emphasised by SLT, ignored by behaviourism
- Real-world application- can account for cultural differences in behaviour, eg. gender role learning
What is the counterpoint to cognitive factors for social learning theory?
Underestimates possible biological factors in social learning eg. mirror neurons
What is one limitation of social learning theory?
Contrived lab studies- creates demand characteristics (eg. Bandura) which reduces validity
What are two strengths of the cognitive approach?
- Scientific, objective approach to studying the mind eg. lab studies and cognitive neuroscience
- Real-world application- such as AI, depression, EWT
What is the counterpoint to a scientific approach for the cognitive approach?
Use of interference and artificial stimuli leads to low external validity
What is one limitation of the cognitive approach?
Machine reductionism- an oversimplification, eg. no emotion whereas anxiety affects EWT
What are two strengths of the biological approach?
- Real-world application- the use of psychoactive drugs for mental illness
- Precise and highly scientific methods- scanning techniques, eg. fMRI and EEG
What is the counterpoint to real-world application for the biological approach?
Antidepressants don’t work for everyone (Cipriani et al)
What is one limitation of the biological approach?
Biological determinism- sees human behaviour as governed by internal, genetic causes
What are two strengths of the psychodynamic approach?
- Real-world application- psychoanalysis was forerunner to modern day ‘talking therapies’
- Explanatory power- influential theories of personality development, abnormal behaviour, gender identity
What is the counterpoint to real-world application for the psychodynamic approach?
Only suitable for neuroses, but not when contact with reality lost (eg. schizophrenia)
What is one limitation of the psychodynamic approach?
Untestable concepts- unfalsifiable, pseudoscience (Popper), based on case studies
What are two strengths of the humanistic approach?
- Not reductionist- importance placed on the whole person (holism)
- Positive approach to the human condition- people basically good and in control of their lives
What is the counterpoint to the humanistic approach being holistic?
Few concepts can be properly measured, so approach lacks empirical evidence
What is one limitation of the humanistic approach?
Cultural bias- humanistic approach more associated with individualism
