outline the humanistic approach (6 marks)
The humanistic approach emphasizes free will and sees people as active agents in control of their own behavior.
It focuses on personal growth and the drive toward self-actualization (Maslow).
Maslow proposed a hierarchy of needs, where basic needs must be met before higher growth needs.
Rogers highlighted the importance of the self-concept and achieving congruence between self-image and ideal self.
Unconditional positive regard is essential for healthy development and self-worth.
The approach emphasizes subjective experience rather than objective measurement.
outline the psychodynamic approach (6 marks)
Founded by Freud.
Focus on the unconscious mind, which influences thoughts and behavior.
Personality structure: id (pleasure principle), ego (reality principle), superego (morality principle).
Childhood experiences are crucial — unresolved conflicts affect adult behavior.
Development explained through psychosexual stages.
the ego uses defence mechanisms (e.g. repression, denial, displacement) to reduce anxiety.
Therapy: psychoanalysis (dream analysis, free association) to access the unconscious
outline behaviourist approach
Focuses only on observable behaviour, not mental processes.
All behaviour is learned from the environment.
Classical conditioning (Pavlov) – learning through association.
Operant conditioning (Skinner) – learning through consequences:
Positive reinforcement
Negative reinforcement
Punishment
Research often uses controlled lab experiments (e.g. with animals, then generalised to humans).
Rejects free will, views behaviour as determined by learning.
outline SLT
Proposed by Bandura – behaviour is learned through observation and imitation of role models.
Involves vicarious reinforcement – learning through seeing others rewarded or punished.
Role models are more likely to be imitated if they are similar, attractive, or high-status.
Four cognitive processes mediate learning:
Attention – noticing the behaviour.
Retention – remembering the behaviour.
Reproduction – being able to copy the behaviour.
Motivation – having a reason to imitate.
SLT recognises that learning is both cognitive and social, not just conditioning.
biological approach (6 markers)
Behaviour is influenced by genetics – inherited characteristics passed through genes.
Twin and family studies are used to investigate genetic influence (e.g., concordance rates).
The role of neurochemistry – behaviour influenced by neurotransmitters (e.g., serotonin, dopamine).
The role of the brain and nervous system – different brain areas linked to specific functions.
Emphasises evolutionary theory – behaviours may have survival or reproductive advantages.
Approach is deterministic and scientific, using brain scans, genetic studies, and lab experiments.
outline the cognitive approach
Behaviour explained in terms of internal mental processes (e.g., memory, perception, attention).
The mind is compared to a computer – input, processing, output (information-processing model).
Uses schemas – mental frameworks that help organise and interpret information.
Cognitive psychologists use inference to study unobservable processes.
Research often employs controlled experiments and lab studies to investigate thinking.
Includes the role of cognitive neuroscience, linking brain structures with mental processes.
free will
notion that humans can make choices and their behaviour and thoughts are not determined by biological or external forces
determinism
view that an individual’s behaviour is shaped or controlled by internal or external forces rather than an individual’s will to do something
hard determinism
the view that all behaviour is caused by something, so free will is an illusion
soft determinism
the view that behaviour may be predictable but there is also room for personal choice from a limited range of possibilties
holism
an argument or theory which proposes that it only makes sense to study an indivisible system rather than its constituent parts
reductionism
the belief that human behaviour is best understood by studying the smaller constituent parts
nature
refers to inherited influences or heredity
heredity
the genetic transmission of both mental and physical characteristics from one generation to another
nurture
refers to the influence or experience the environment
idiographic approach
focuses on the individual and emphasises their uniqueness.
nomothetic approach
attempts to summarise the differences between people through generalisations.
psychodynamic vs behaviourist
similarities:
deterministic
role of childhood is significant in both
differences:
p is non scientific, b is scientific
p is nature and b is nurture
SLT vs psychodynamic
similarities:
neither use animals
differences:
p - non scientific
s - scientific
p - idiographic
s - nomothetic
psychodynamic vs humanistic
similarities:
non scientific
idiographic
differences
p - determinism
h - free will
p - childhood is important
h - focuses on present
psychodynamic vs biological
similarities:
deterministic
both nature
differences:
p - idiographic
b - nomothetic
p - childhood is important
b - childhood is not important
psychodynamic vs cognitive
similarities:
both internal
unlikely to use animals
differences:
p - idiographic
c - nomothetic
p - non scientific
c - scientific
behaviourist vs slt
similarities:
nomothetic
differences:
b - uses animals
s - used children
b - significant impact (token economies, flooding, systematic desensitisation)
s - less significant impact (health campagins)
behaviourist vs humanistic
similarities:
nurture
differences:
b - deterministic
h - free will
b - reductionism
h - holism
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memory (1)62
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research methods (yr1)80
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biopsychology (yr1)30
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approaches50
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psychopathology50
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attachment42
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social influence. :/17
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approaches part TWO!!44
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memory (1)27
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comparing approaches32
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comparing approaches (2)6
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research methods (yr2)40
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biopsychology (yr2)85
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function and role of sensory and motor neuron27
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stress117
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rls74
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aggression52
