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Approaches Evaluations, :!!:, :red_flag:, :star:, :star:, :star:, :star:, …
Approaches Evaluations
Origins of Psychology
Scientific :check:
Some methods were systematic and well-controlled
- All introspections recorded in controlled environment so EVs aren't factors
- Procedures and instructions were standardised so all ppts were tested in the same way
Suggests Wundt's research can be considered a forerunner to later scientific approaches
Subjective :red_cross:
Aspects of Wundt's research may be considered unscientific now
- Relied on self-reporting mental processes. Data is subjective so may have hidden thoughts
- Difficult to establish meaningful laws from the data. Usually useful to predict future behaviour (aim of science)
Suggests some early efforts of study were flawed and didn't meet criteria
Modern Psychology :check:
Research in modern psychology can claim to be scientific
- Has the same aims as natural sciences (describe, predict, control behaviour).
- Learning, Cognitive and biological approach all use scientific methods (lab studies investigate controlled and unbiased).
Suggests from the 20th century, psychology has been scientifically established
Subjective Data :red_cross:
Not all approaches use objective methods
- Humanistic approach rejects scientific approach (individual experience). Psychodynamic uses case studies (unrepresentative)
- Humans are active ppts in research, may respond to demand characteristics
Scientific approach to study isn't always desirable/possible
Behaviourist Approach
Counterpoint :red_cross:
Behaviourists may oversimplify learning processes
- Reducing behaviour to simple components ignores human thoughts influence on learning
- SLT and Cognitive draw attention to mental processes in learning
Suggests learning is more complex than only observable behaviour, private mental processes are important
Well-Controlled Research :check:
Behaviourist focus measures of observable behaviour in controlled lab setting
- Breaks down behaviour into stimulus response, removing EVs
- Allows cause and effect to be established. Skinner demonstrated how reinforcement influences animal behaviour
Suggests behaviourist experiments have scientific credibility
Real World Application :check:
Principles of conditioning applied to behaviours/ problems
- Token economy basis is operant conditioning used in prison and psychiatric wards (behaviour exchanged for tokens/ privileges)
- Classical conditioning used to treat phobias
Increases value of behaviourist approach from the wide application
Environmental Determinism :red_cross:
Sees all behaviour as conditioned from past experiences
- Skinner suggests everything done is from total reinforcement history - our past determines outcomes
- Ignores the possibility of free will on behaviour (its an illusion)
Ignores the influence of conscious decision making on behaviour
Social Learning Theory
Cognitive Factors :check:
Recognises the importance of cognitive factors in learning
- Neither conditionings offer good accounts of learning alone. Humans/animals store info about behaviour and judge when to use
- 'From observing others forms an idea of how new behaviours are performed...' '...serves as a guide to action.'
Suggests SLT provides more comprehensive explanation of learning by recognising roles of mediational processes
Counterpoint :red_cross:
Criticised for making little reference to biological influences
- Bandura claimed natural biological differences influence learning potential but thought learning itself determined environmentally
- Recent research suggests observational learning may be cause of mirror neurons in the brain (allow empathy and imitation of others)
Suggests biological influences on social learning are underemphasised
Contrived Lab Studies :red_cross:
Evidence on which it is based was gathered through lab studies
- Many Bandura ideas were from observation of young children. (Lab studies criticised for demand characteristics)
- Suggested the main purpose of Bobo dolls are to hit them, children were behaving in the expected way
Suggests research may tell us little about children learning aggression irl
Real-World Application :check:
Has advantage of explaining cultural differences in behaviour
- SLT ideas (modelling, imitation, reinforcement) accounts for how children learn from others and media
- Explains how cultural/social norms transmitted through societies. Proved useful in understanding range of behaviours
Increases the value of the approach (accounts for real world behaviour)
Cognitive Approach
Scientific Methods :check:
Uses objective and scientific methods
- Employ highly controlled study methods to infer cognitive processes. Involves using lab studies to make objective, reliable data
- Emergence of cognitive neuroscience enabled combination of biology and psychology to enhance scientific basis of study
Means the study of the mind has credible scientific basis
Counterpoint :red_cross:
Cognitive psychology may be too abstract/ theoretical
- They rely on inference of mental processes rather than direct observation
- Research studies also use artificial stimuli (test of memory involving word lists) that may not represent everyday experience
Research on cognitive processes may lack external validity
Real-World Application :check:
It has been applied to a range of practical theoretical contexts
- Made an important contribution in AI field and development of robots, they revolutionise our future
- Cognitive principles also are applied to treating depression and improve EWT reliability
Supports the value of the cognitive approach
Machine Reductionism :red_cross:
Based on machine reductionism
- Despite similarities between human mind and computer operations, computer analogy is criticised
- Machine reductionism ignores influence of human emotion on cognitive system (anxiety affecting memory)
Suggests machine reductionism may weaken validity
Biological Approach
Real-World Application :check:
Understanding neurochemical processes helps treat mental disorders with psychiatric drugs
- Biological approach promoted treatment of clinical depression with antidepressants, increasing serotonin at synapses
- The drugs have been associated with reduced depressive symptoms
Means depressed people may be able to better manage their condition
Counterpoint :red_cross:
Drugs are mostly successful but not for everyone
- Cipriani et al compared 21 antidepressant drugs and found large variety in effectiveness
- Most drugs were more effective than placebos but concluded effects as 'mainly modest'
Challenges the value as it suggests brain chemistry may not solely account for cases like depression
Scientific Methods :check:
Uses scientific methods in investigations
- Investigate biological based behaviour using precise, objective methods like scanning (fMRIs and EEGs)
- Advances in tech means accurately measuring physiological and neural processes unbiased
Means much of the approach is based on objective and reliable data
Biological Determinism :red_cross:
Approach is determinist and sees behaviour controlled by internal causes (uncontrollable)
- We know individual genotypes expressed (phenotype) are environmentally influenced - MZ twins don't look/ think the same
- Problematic considering crime - can claim their behaviour was controlled by 'crime gene'
Suggests biological view is too simplistic, ignores environmental influence
Psychodynamic Approach
Real-World Application :check:
Introduced the idea of psychotherapy instead of physical treatment
- Freud formed psychoanalysis - the first attempt to treat mental disorders psychologically, techniques made to access unconscious
- Psychoanalysis helps clients by bringing repressed emotions to conscious . Also foreruns talking therapies like 'counselling'
Shows value of approach in creating approaches to treatment
Counterpoint :red_cross:
Psychoanalysis may be harmful for more serious disorders (Schizophrenia)
- Symptoms (paranoia, delusions) means they have lost touch with reality and can't articulate thoughts in psychoanalysis
Suggests Freudian therapy may not apply to all disorders
Explanatory Power :check:
Has the ability to explain behaviour
- Theories are controversial and quite weird but have huge influence on psychology/ contemporary thought.
- Been used to explain personality/moral development, disorders, and gender identity. Also connects experiences in childhood to adulthood
Suggests approach has a positive impact of psychology, literature, art and other human ideas
Untestable Concepts :red_cross:
Many untestable concepts
- Science Philosopher, Popper, argued psychodynamic doesn't meet falsification and empirical testing criterion.
- Concepts (Id and Oedipus complex) occur at conscious level (hard to test). Ideas were based off subjective study of individuals (lil Hans - difficult to make universal claims)
Suggests theory was pseudoscientific (not real), not established fact
Humanistic Approach
Not Reductionist :check:
Rejects attempts to break up behaviour into components
- Behaviourist, Cognitive, biological, psychodynamic reduce behaviour to simpler ideas (examples)
- Humanistic uses holism to understand subjective experience can be understood by considering a whole person
Approach may have more validity than alts by considering behaviour in real world context
Counterpoint :red_cross:
Reductionism may be more scientific
- The ideal of science is experiment, which reduces behaviour to in/dependent variables
- Humanism has few concepts that can be broken down and measured
Means humanistic has little empirical evidence to support claims
Positive Approach :check:
It is optimistic - promotes positive image of human condition
- Freud saw humans as prisoners of the past and existed between 'common happiness and absolute despair'
- Humanistic psychologists see all people as good and in control of their lives/ free to work towards potential achievement
Suggests approach offers refreshing, optimistic alternative
Cultural Bias :red_cross:
May be culturally biased
- Ideas like individual freedom, autonomy and personal growth are mostly individualist ideas
- Collectivist countries emphasis need of interdependence, humanistic ideals may be less important
Possible the approach doesn't apply universally and is produced by its cultural context
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