Three Approaches Critical Thinking

What does D – Deterministic mean in DRAMA?

Suggests human behavior is controlled by internal or external factors, leaving little room for free will or personal choice.

What does R – Reductionist mean in DRAMA?

Oversimplifies complex human behavior by focusing on only one level of explanation, ignoring other important influences.

What does A – Application to the real world mean in DRAMA?

Refers to how useful or relevant a theory or study is in real-life settings.

What does M – Methodological flaws mean in DRAMA?

Evaluating the weaknesses in how a study was conducted.

What does A – Alternative approach mean in DRAMA?

Considering other psychological perspectives that might explain the same behavior differently, offering a more holistic or balanced view.

Give a deterministic example in the Cognitive approach.

The Internal Working Model theory suggests early attachment experiences determine future relationship patterns, which may overlook personal agency or change over time.

Give a reductionist example in the Cognitive approach.

Reduces attraction to cognitive schemas and similarity, ignoring emotional, biological, or cultural factors.

Give an application to the real world example in the Cognitive approach.

Useful in therapy and relationship counselling—understanding how early attachment affects adult relationships can guide interventions.

Give a methodological flaw example in the Cognitive approach.

Often relies on self-report and retrospective data (e.g., attachment history), which may be biased or inaccurate.

Give an alternative approach example in the Cognitive approach.

Biological explanations (e.g., pheromones) focus on innate, unconscious processes in attraction.

Give a deterministic example in the Sociocultural approach.

Suggests that repeated exposure inevitably leads to attraction, which may not account for individual preferences or negative associations.

Give a reductionist example in the Sociocultural approach.

Focuses on social and cultural influences, potentially ignoring biological or cognitive factors.

Give an application to the real world example in the Sociocultural approach.

Explains cultural differences in dating norms and arranged marriages

Give a methodological flaw example in the Sociocultural approach.

Cultural studies may suffer from ethnocentrism or lack of generalisability due to small, culturally specific samples.

Give an alternative approach example in the Sociocultural approach.

Cognitive models (e.g., similarity attraction) offer a more individualistic explanation of attraction.

Give a deterministic example in the Biological approach.

Implies that attraction is biologically pre-programmed, which may ignore personal choice and social context.

Give a reductionist example in the Biological approach.

Reduces attraction to chemical signals, ignoring psychological and social dimensions.

Give an application to the real world example in the Biological approach.

Has implications for understanding subconscious influences in mate selection, though practical applications are limited.

Give a methodological flaw example in the Biological approach.

Pheromone studies often lack ecological validity and may use artificial stimuli or small samples.

Give an alternative approach example in the Biological approach.

Sociocultural models highlight the role of norms and exposure, offering a more context-based explanation.