Comparison Of Approaches

What are the views on development in the learning (behaviourist and SLT) approaches?

They do not offer coherent stage theories of development but instead see the processes that underpin learning as continuous, occurring at any atage.

What are the views on development in the cognitive approach?

Stage theories within the cognitive approach have contributed to out understanding of child development. For example. as part of their intellectual development, children form increasingly complex concepts (schema) as they get older.

What are the views on development in the biological approach?

Maturation is an important principle within the biological approach, where genetically determined changes in a child’s physiological status influence psychological and behavioral characteristics.

What are the views on development in the psychodynamic approach?

It presents the most coherent theory of development, tying its concepts and processes to specific (psychosexual) stages that are determined by age. That said, Freud saw very little further development once a child enters the genital stage in their teen years.

What are the views on development in the humanistic approach?

Humanistic psychologists see the development of the self as ongoing throughout life. However, childhoods is a particularly important period and a child’s relationship with their parents is important in terms of unconditional positive regard.

What does the learning approaches (behaviourism and SLT) approach argue in terms of ‘nature versus nurture?‘

Babies are characterised as ‘blank slates‘ at birth and it is suggested that all behaviour comes about through learned associations, reinforcements, and in the case of SLT, observation and imitation.

What does the cognitive approach argue in terms of ‘nature versus nurture?‘

Cognitive psychologists would recognise that many of our information processing abilities and schema are innate, they are constantly refined through experience.

What does the biological approach argue in terms of ‘nature versus nurture?‘

The biological approach argues from a position that behaviour is the result of a genetic blueprint that we inherit from our parents (genotype), though the way it is expressed (phenotype) is influenced by the environment.

What does the psychodynamic approach argue in terms of ‘nature versus nurture?‘

Freud thought that much of our behaviour was driven by biological drives and instincts, but he also saw relationships with parents as playing a fundamental role in future development.

What does the humanistic approach argue in terms of ‘nature versus nurture?‘

Humanistic psychologists regard parents, friends and wider society as having a critical impact on the person’s self-concept.

What is reductionism?

Reductionism refers to the belief that human behaviour can be most effectively explained by breaking it down into constituent parts.

What is the opposing view to reductionism?

Holism; belief that phenomena are best understood by looking at the interplay and the interaction of many different factors.

Is the behaviourist approach reductionist?

It is reductionist in the sense that it breaks up complex behaviour into stimulus-response units for ease of testing in the lab.

Is the SLT approach reductionist?

Like behaviourists, social learning theorists reduce complex learning to a handful of key processes, such as imitation and modelling. However, they place emphasis on cognitive factors that mediate learning, and how these interact with external influences.

Is the cognitive approach reductionist?

The cognitive approach has been accused of machine reductionism, by presenting people as information processing systems and ignoring the influence of emotion on behaviour.

Is the biological approach reductionist?

IT is also reductionist in the way that it explains human behaviour and psychological states at the level of the gene or neuron.

Is the psychodynamic approach reductionist?

The approach reduced much of our behaviour to the influence of sexual drives and biological instincts. Freud’’s argument that personality is a dynamic interaction between the three parts of personality is often viewed as a more holistic explanations.

Is the humanistic approach reductionist?

Humanistic psychology formulates a holistic approach to understanding human behaviour. This involves investigating all aspects of the individual, including the effects of interaction with others and wider society.

What is determinism?

It proposes that all behaviour has an internal or external cause and is thus predictable.

Is the behaviourist approach determinist?

Yes'; all behaviour is seen as environmentally determined by external influences that we are unable to control, like operant conditioning.

Is the SLT approach reductionist?

Social learning theorists, like Bandura put forward the notion of reciprocal determinism - the idea that as well as being influenced by our environment, we also exert some influence upon in through the behaviours we chose to perform.

Is the cognitive approach reductionist?

Yes: it suggests that we are ‘choosers‘ of our own thoughts and behaviours, yet these choices can only operate within the limits of what we know and have experienced?

Is the biological approach determinist?

The biological approach advocates a form of genetic determinism in its assumption that much of our behaviour is directed by innate influences.

Is the psychodynamic approach determinist?

Psychic determinism is a key feature of the psychodynamic approach as the unconscious forces that drive out behavior are the ultimate cause of behaviour, and that these are simply rationised by our conscious minds.

Is the humanistic approach determinist?

It stands alone in its assertion that human beings have free will and operate as active agents who determine their own development.

What is the explanation for and treatment for psychological disorders in the behaviourist approach?

The behaviourist model sees abnormality as arising form maladaptive or faulty learning in the sense that inappropriate or destructive patterns of behaviour have been reinforced. Behaviour therapies like systematic desensitisation, which aim to condition healthy responses have been applied in the treatment of phobias.

What is the explanation for and treatment for psychological disorders in the SLT approach?

SLT has had relatively little application to treatment, but the principles of modelling and observational learning hsve been used to explain how negative behaviour such as agression may be learning through the influence of dysfunctional role models.

What is the explanation for and treatment for psychological disorders in the cognitive approach?

Cognitive therapy is much more effective and applicable, especially when combined with behaviour therapy, like CTB. It aims to identify and eradicate faulty thinking which is assumed to be the main cause of maladaptive behaviour.

What is the explanation for and treatment for psychological disorders in the biological approach?

Many could claim that the biological approach has revolutionised the treatment of mental disorders through the development of drug therapy which regulates chemical imbalances in the brain

What is the explanation for and treatment for psychological disorders in the psychodynamic approach?

Freud saw anxiety disorders as emerging from unconscious conflict, childhood truama and the overuse of defense mechanisms. Psychoanalysis has had some success as a therapy but it is not appropriate for everyone because it requires a considerable input from the patient in terms of time and also ability to talk about and reflect on emotions.

What is the explanation for and treatment for psychological disorders in the humanistic approach?

Humanistic therapy, or counselling, based on Rogers philosophy that closing the gap between the ideal and concept of self will increase self-esteem and personal growth.