Comparison of approaches with issues and debates

• Describe the behaviourist approach in terms of determinism, nature/nurture and the scientific method

  • Environmental determinism - emphasise importance of external environmental forces in shaping behaviour
  • Nurture - because consequence of interactions between environment and of behaviour within that environment
  • positive in terms of science- highly objective, experimentally based. Focuses on responses which can be measured accurately
• Describe SLT in terms of determinism, nature/nurture and the scientific method

  • Environmentally deterministic- HOWEVER, free will exhibited- vicarious reinf, observations of others are a product of our experience. However, it’s up to person when and how to apply these rules
  • mainly nurture- learn as a result of observing others. But assumed that learning is adaptive, so can be considered innate
  • positive in terms of science- investigations reliable, causal rels can be identified, but therefore lacks internal val
• Describe the cognitive approach in terms of determinism, nature/nurture and the scientific method

  • Free will- thought processes determine behaviour so person has degree of control
  • both nature and nurture- product of either innate factors or experiences. we share means of cognitive processing (nature) but problems with irrational thoughts/beliefs (nurture)
  • positive to a degree in terms of science - mental process are largely unobservable, but most propositions can be tested easily
• Describe the biological approach in terms of determinism, nature/nurture and the scientific method

  • Biological determinism - physiological and or inherited factors outside control
  • primarily nature - these factors are mainly innate, but experience may modify these systems
  • positive in terms of science - leads to experimental study like effects different neurotransmitters have on behaviour can be tested using drugs
• Describe the psychodynamic approach in terms of determinism, nature/nurture and the scientific method

  • Psychic determinism - unconscious factors, beyond conscious control because they’re unknown. Operate within motivation system
  • nature and nurture - nature- unconscious forces in conflicts we deal with, nurture- HOW we overcome these conflicts- this is a product of our upbringing
  • mixed in terms of science- some aspects open to scientific investigation, but greater reliance on case studies and subjective interpretation
• Describe humanistic psychology in terms of determinism, nature/nurture and the scientific method

  • Free will- exercise choice in behaviour, rather than being at the mercy of external forces
  • nature and nurture - drive to self actualise is nature, but experience and upbringing are required to self actualise (nurture)
  • negative in terms of science- suited for natural sciences but not for studying human complexity