7- comparison of approaches

Comparison of approaches

Examining similarities and differences between psychological approaches to explain behaviour.

Nature vs nurture

The debate about whether behaviour is determined by genetics (nature) or environment (nurture).

Biological approach and nature

Emphasises genetic inheritance, brain structures, and neurochemistry as determinants of behaviour.

Behaviourist approach and nurture

Explains behaviour as learned through interaction with the environment.

Evaluation of nature vs nurture

Most approaches now adopt an interactionist view combining both factors.

Determinism

The idea that behaviour is controlled by internal or external forces beyond individual control.

Biological determinism

Behaviour is caused by biological factors such as genes or hormones.

Psychic determinism

Behaviour is driven by unconscious conflicts and early experiences.

Environmental determinism

Behaviour is shaped by environmental stimuli and learning experiences.

Free will

The idea that individuals have the ability to choose their own actions.

Humanistic approach and free will

Emphasises conscious choice, personal growth, and self-determination.

Evaluation of determinism vs free will

Deterministic explanations allow prediction, but free will better reflects human experience.

Reductionism

Explaining behaviour by breaking it down into simpler components.

Biological reductionism

Explains behaviour in terms of genes, neurochemistry, or brain structures.

Environmental reductionism

Explains behaviour in terms of stimulus-response links.

Holism

Explaining behaviour by considering the whole person and context.

Humanistic approach and holism

Focuses on subjective experience and personal meaning.

Evaluation of reductionism vs holism

Reductionism aids scientific study, but holism offers greater understanding of complex behaviour.

Idiographic approach

Focuses on individuals and unique experiences.

Nomothetic approach

Focuses on establishing general laws of behaviour.

Psychodynamic approach and idiographic

Uses case studies to explore individual experiences.

Behaviourist approach and nomothetic

Uses controlled experiments to develop general principles.

Evaluation of idiographic vs nomothetic

Nomothetic approaches aid prediction, idiographic approaches provide depth.

Scientific methods

Objective, controlled, and replicable research techniques.

Behaviourist approach and scientific methods

Uses lab experiments and controlled observation.

Biological approach and scientific methods

Uses brain scans, drug trials, and genetic research.

Evaluation of scientific methods

Increases reliability and validity, but may oversimplify human behaviour.

Usefulness of approaches

The extent to which an approach contributes to understanding and treating behaviour.

Biological approach usefulness

Led to effective drug treatments for mental disorders.

Behaviourist approach usefulness

Successfully applied in therapies such as systematic desensitisation.

Humanistic approach usefulness

Influenced counselling and education by emphasising personal growth.

Ethical considerations

Moral issues raised by research or applications of an approach.

Evaluation of ethics

Deterministic and reductionist approaches may justify harmful treatments, whereas humanistic values prioritise dignity.