Approaches

Question 1

What are the assumptions of the biological approach?

Answer 1

Behaviour is determined by genes, brain structures, neurochemistry, and evolution through natural selection.

Question 2

What are the key concepts of the biological approach?

Answer 2

Genotype vs phenotype; twin/family studies; brain localisation; neurotransmitters (serotonin/dopamine); evolutionary psychology.

Question 3

What are the main methods used in the biological approach?

Answer 3

Brain scans (MRI/fMRI), twin/family studies, drug trials.

Question 4

What are the strengths of the biological approach?

Answer 4

Scientific/objective; practical applications (drug treatments); explains mental disorders.

Question 5

What are the limitations of the biological approach?

Answer 5

Reductionist; biologically deterministic; ignores environment.

Question 6

What are the applications of the biological approach?

Answer 6

Drug therapies (SSRIs for depression), evolutionary explanations of behaviour, brain mapping research.

Question 7

What are the assumptions of the behaviourist approach?

Answer 7

All behaviour is learned from the environment through conditioning.

Question 8

What are the key concepts of the behaviourist approach?

Answer 8

Classical conditioning (association, Pavlov) and operant conditioning (reinforcement and punishment, Skinner).

Question 9

What are the main methods used in the behaviourist approach?

Answer 9

Highly controlled lab experiments, animal studies (rats, dogs, pigeons).

Question 10

What are the strengths of the behaviourist approach?

Answer 10

Scientific, replicable, explains learning of phobias and addictions.

Question 11

What are the limitations of the behaviourist approach?

Answer 11

Reductionist; ignores mental processes; environmentally deterministic; ethical issues with animals.

Question 12

What are the applications of the behaviourist approach?

Answer 12

Systematic desensitisation for phobias; token economies in prisons/schools.

Question 13

What are the assumptions of Social Learning Theory?

Answer 13

Behaviour is learned through observation and imitation of role models.

Question 14

What are the key concepts of Social Learning Theory?

Answer 14

Vicarious reinforcement; mediational processes (attention, retention, reproduction, motivation); identification with role models.

Question 15

What are the main methods used in Social Learning Theory?

Answer 15

Lab experiments, e.g., Bandura’s Bobo doll study.

Question 16

What are the strengths of Social Learning Theory?

Answer 16

Considers cognitive factors; explains cultural differences; less reductionist than behaviourism.

Question 17

What are the limitations of Social Learning Theory?

Answer 17

Lab studies → demand characteristics; underestimates biological influences (e.g. hormones).

Question 18

What are the applications of Social Learning Theory?

Answer 18

Explains media influence, aggression, and gender development.

Question 19

What are the assumptions of the cognitive approach?

Answer 19

Behaviour is explained by internal mental processes, studied scientifically.

Question 20

What are the key concepts of the cognitive approach?

Answer 20

Theoretical/computer models; schemas; cognitive neuroscience linking brain areas with processes.

Question 21

What are the main methods used in the cognitive approach?

Answer 21

Lab studies, cognitive tasks, brain scans (fMRI, PET).

Question 22

What are the strengths of the cognitive approach?

Answer 22

Scientific and controlled; useful applications (CBT, AI, eyewitness testimony).

Question 23

What are the limitations of the cognitive approach?

Answer 23

Machine reductionism (ignores emotion); lab studies lack ecological validity.

Question 24

What are the applications of the cognitive approach?

Answer 24

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT); improving eyewitness testimony; AI research.

Question 25

What are the assumptions of the psychodynamic approach?

Answer 25

Behaviour is driven by unconscious forces and childhood experiences.

Question 26

What are the key concepts of the psychodynamic approach?

Answer 26

Structure of personality (id, ego, superego); defence mechanisms; psychosexual stages; unconscious mind.

Question 27

What are the main methods used in the psychodynamic approach?

Answer 27

Case studies (e.g. Little Hans); psychoanalysis.

Question 28

What are the strengths of the psychodynamic approach?

Answer 28

Highlights role of childhood and unconscious; influential in psychology; led to talking therapies.

Question 29

What are the limitations of the psychodynamic approach?

Answer 29

Unscientific, unfalsifiable; overemphasis on sexuality; case studies lack generalisability.

Question 30

What are the applications of the psychodynamic approach?

Answer 30

Psychoanalysis and influence on modern counselling/therapy approaches.

Question 31

What are the assumptions of the humanistic approach?

Answer 31

Humans have free will, are inherently good, and focus should be on subjective experience.

Question 32

What are the key concepts of the humanistic approach?

Answer 32

Maslow's hierarchy of needs; self-actualisation; self-concept, ideal self, congruence; conditions of worth.

Question 33

What are the main methods used in the humanistic approach?

Answer 33

Qualitative research; client-centred therapy (Rogers).

Question 34

What are the strengths of the humanistic approach?

Answer 34

Positive view of human nature; holistic; real-world impact in counselling.

Question 35

What are the limitations of the humanistic approach?

Answer 35

Not scientific; culturally biased towards Western individualism; vague concepts.

Question 36

What are the applications of the humanistic approach?

Answer 36

Person-centred counselling; applications in education and workplace wellbeing.