comparison of all approaches

How do they differ on the nature-nurture debate?

Biological - strong nature (genes, brain, evolution)

Behaviourist - strong nurture (learning from environment)

SLT - mostly nurture, but acknowledges cognitive factors

Cognitive - interactionist (innate drives + childhood)

Humanistic - strong nurture (environment shapes self-concept)

How deterministic is each approach?

Biological - hard determinism (genes/brain cause behaviour)

Behaviourst - environmental determinism

SLT - soft determinism (choices influenced by learning)

Cognitive - soft determinism (thought processes guide behaviour)

Psychodynamic - psychic determinism (unconscious forces)

Humanistic - free will (self-determination)

Which approaches are most scientific?

Biological → Highly scientific (brain scans, genetics)

Behaviourist → Highly scientific (lab experiments)

SLT → Moderately scientific (controlled studies + observation)

Cognitive → Scientific (lab experiments, models)

Psychodynamic → Not scientific (unfalsifiable)

Humanistic → Not scientific (subjective experience)

What does each approach contribute to society?

Biological → Drug treatments, understanding mental illness

Behaviourist → Phobia treatments (systematic desensitisation), education

SLT → Explains aggression, media influence

Cognitive → CBT, memory improvement, AI

Psychodynamic → Psychoanalysis, early childhood importance

Humanistic → Person‑centred therapy, counselling

How does each approach view development?

Biological → Maturation through genetics

Behaviourist → Learning continues throughout life

SLT → Learning through observation across lifespan

Cognitive → Stage‑based development (e.g., Piaget)

Psychodynamic → Psychosexual stages

Humanistic → Lifelong personal growth