Comparison of Approaches

What are the 6 psychological approaches?

• The behaviourist approach

• Social learning theory

• The cognitive approach

• The biological approach

• The psychodynamic approach

• Humanistic psychology

What are the 5 comparison points?

• Scientific methodology

• Determinism

• Nature and nurture

• Reductionism

• Psychological treatments

Scientific methodology → Behaviourism

Seen as highly scientific as they focus entirely on observable stimuli and responses eg Pavlov and Skinners experiments. Their work, using large samples and controlled conditions allows for precise replication of findings on conditioning

Scientific methodology → Social learning theory

Use experimental methods and large samples to investigate concepts like modelling, vicarious reinforcement and mediational processes. However, as these internal mental processes cannot be directly observed but are inferred from behaviour, these inferences could be mistaken, this reduces the approaches scientific credibility

Scientific methodology → Cognitive psychology

Use controlled experiments to support theories like the working memory model. However, as the models represent internal mental processes that cannot be directly observed, only inferred from behaviour, cognitive psychology is not considered fully scientific

Scientific methodology → Biological psychology

Study directly observable physical processes such as brain activity, they also use objective measuring devices such as FMRI scanners, DNA sequencers and blood tests. Large scale placebo controlled trials are used to test drugs. This focus on objective measurement means biological psychology is seen as highly scientific

Scientific methodology → Psychodynamics

Freud based his theories on case studies, clients would use introspection to report on their internal state of mind. The use of a case study is not seen as scientific due to the potential for bias in the researcher’s interpretation. Additionally, concepts like the superego are not operationally defined, meaning they cannot be scientifically studied

Scientific methodology → Humanistic

Reject the scientific method completely, arguing that human behaviour is too complex to be reduced to simple variables that can be measured scientifically. They also reject the cause and effect principle that scientific research depends on. This means humanistic psychology lacks empirical evidence to support its claims

Determinism → Behaviourism

Hard environmental determinists, they consider behaviour to be entirely the result of creatures’ interactions with their environment. Behaviour an individual has found rewarding in the past will be more likely to be repeated. As free will has no role in behaviourist theory, they are considered to be hard determinists

Determinism → Social learning theory

Environmentally deterministic, however, Bandura also argued for reciprocal determinism, behaviour caused by the environment, our behaviour determines the environment eg a child who words hard for a test has an effect on their environment, an A grade and a teacher who gives praise, this environment then acts as motivation to work even harder

Determinism → Cognitive psychology

Soft determinists, arguing there are causal factors that influence behaviour. People learn schema through experience, which acts as automatic templates for our behaviour. But they also suggest that with conscious effort (free will), maladaptive automatic internal mental processes can be modified

Determinism → Biological psychology

Biological determinism suggests behaviour is entirely caused (hard determinists) by our physical nature, including hormones, brains, neurotransmitters and genes. Behaviours such as aggression and mental health disorders are explained as due to an imbalance of neurotransmitters due to the inheritance of dysfunctional genes

Determinism → Psychodynamics

Psychodynamic researchers argue for psychic determinism, the idea that unconscious thoughts, drives and repressed memories shape our conscious behaviours. These unconscious forces are formed in childhood and influence adult behaviour throughout life

Determinism → Humanistic

Humanists are the only approach that argues for free will, the idea that humans have agency, we are able to make our own decisions free from restraints, and we have moral responsibility for those choices

Nature and nurture → Behaviourism

Behaviourists argue the most important influences on behaviour are environmental factors (nurture). Rewarding experiences causes behaviours to be repeated. But even with this approach, there is some role for nature, including innate reflex actions. Eg a dog doesn’t have to be trained to drool when presented with food

Nature and nurture → Social learning theory

Social learning theorists explain behaviour through nurture, including the direct stimulus response mechanisms of behaviourists and social experiences (nurture), such as observing models and vicarious reinforcement

Nature and nurture → Cognitive psychology

Cognitive psychologists argue both aspects are important, as internal mental processes run on the physical, biological hardware of the brain. However, the cognitive approach can be argued to be closer to the nurture argument, as their explanations of mental processes, such as schemas, are formed through experiences in the world

Nature and nurture → Biological psychology

The most important influences on behaviour are hereditary (nature), they explain behaviour as due to the inheritance of DNA, this codes for biological processes such as neurotransmitter transport in the brain, imbalances in this system leading to behaviour such as increased aggression or mental health conditions

Nature and nurture → Psychodynamics

Psychodynamics includes both nature and nurture within its theories, eg the psychosexual stages are a biological process that all children will experience, however, the experiences the children have while passing through these stages shape the personality they will have as adults

Nature and nurture → Humanistic

Humanists are holists, which means they argue that any valid explanation of behaviour has to include a wide range of factors and how those factors interact. These factors include the influence of genes, so nature but also nurture, including all environmental influences from direct experiences to wider culture

Reductionism → Behaviourism

Behaviourists are highly reductionist, they explain behaviour, even complex behaviour, as due to a chain of simple stimulus response links

Reductionism → Social learning theory

Social learning theorists, while agreeing behaviour is due to stimulus response mechanisms, are less reductionist than behaviourists as they include the role of internal mental processes. Eg the mediational processes of attention, retention, reproduction and motivation

Reductionism → Cognitive psychology

The computer analogy explains the mind and brain as similar to the CPU and software, this is argued to be machine reductionist, an over simplistic view that ignores the important and complex role of emotions and irrationality in humans, as well as ignoring computer memory is flawless. However, human memory is reconstructive

Reductionism → Biological psychology

Behaviour such as aggression, attachment and mental health conditions like schizophrenia are explained as the result of chemical processes within the brain, this highly reductionist explanation oversimplifies the complex and highly personal experience of having an emotion and ignores the role of cognitive and cultural forces

Reductionism → Psychodynamics

Psychodynamics is not reductionist, as its explanation for behaviour includes a range of factors, such as the biological changes that happen in childhood, experiences during the psychosexual stages that shape the unconscious mind, and how the unconscious mind interacts with the conscious mind

Reductionism → Humanistic

Humanists argue against any reductionist explanations of behaviour, they claim the only valid explanation is holistic, this means if an individual experience is to be explained the widest range of factors need to be included, from biological factors and indirect experience to education, social learning and culture

Psychological treatments → Behaviourism

Behaviourist principles are used in the treatment of phobias, flooding and systematic are therapies that use exposure to the phobic object in an attempt to counter condition phobias, ultimately replacing a fear association with calm

Psychological treatments → Social learning theory

Social learning theory uses modelling in a safe environment to alter maladaptive behaviour. Meaningful role models display appropriate behaviour. Eg in treating a child with high levels of aggression, a therapist may show a video of similarly aged children interacting prosocially and being rewarded for their good behaviour

Psychological treatments → Cognitive psychology

Cognitive principles have been used to develop cognitive behavioural therapy. CBT is designed to cognitively restructure irrational thoughts, such as negative schemas about the self, world and future. Strategies include reality testing irrational thoughts by acting as a scientist and the therapist disputing irrational thoughts

Psychological treatments → Biological psychology

Biological theories have led to treatments that influence biological processes, such as brain surgery and drug therapy. Drug therapies for mental health conditions often work by altering the activity of neurotransmitters. Eg SSRIs slow the reuptake of serotonin into the synaptic terminal

Psychological treatments → Psychodynamics

Psychodynamic ideas form the basis of psychotherapy, a talking therapy that uses introspection to focus on past experiences. Therapists then use these discussions to explore how unconscious thoughts and feelings may be negatively impacting current behaviour and relationships

Psychodynamic treatments → Humanistic

Client centred therapy focuses not on mental illness but on the clients capacity for growth. The therapists role is not to direct the client but to assist the client in understanding their experience and producing solutions. The therapist also provides unconditional positive regard, accepting clients for who they are