AICE psychology

assumptions of all the approaches

biological approach #1

behavior, cognitions and emotions can be explained in terms of the working of the brain and the effect of hormones, genetics and evolution

biological approach #2

similarities and differences between people can be understood in terms of biological factors and their interaction with other factors

cognitive approach #1

information is processed through the same route in humans: input - process - output, in a similar way to how information is processed by a computer

cognitive approach #2

people have individual differences in their cognitive processing such as with attention, language, thinking and memory. these processes can also help to explain behaviour and emotion

learning approach #1

we all begin life as a blank slate. experiences and interactions with the environment shape our behaviour and these changes are directly observable

learning approach #2

we learn through the processes of operant conditioning, classical conditioning and social learning. this can be understood using the stimulus-response model

social approach #1

behaviour, cognitions and emotions are influenced by social contexts, social environments and groups

social approach #2

behaviour, cognitions and emotions are influenced by the actual, implied or imagined presence of others