approaches exam answers

• what are two assumptions of the cognitive approach

  One is that our behaviour is influenced by Schemas. Schemas are packets of information which are created through our past experiences. This affects our behaviour because it influences how we interpret and understand ourselves and situations. Another is computer models help them understand internal mental processes. This theory suggests that information flows through the cognitive system in stages e.g. input, storage, output.
• what is a strength of the cognitive approach?

  It’s scientific approach. Cognitive psychologists conduct objective and scientific studies sin order to gather evidence such as lab studies. This allows them to gather reliable data, as the research methods are highly controlled. This suggests that this approach is reliable on a scientific basis.
• what is a limitation of the cognitive approach

  It’s use of machine reductionism. Cognitive psychologists use theories such as the computer model to explain human behaviour , however this ignores the influence of human emotions. For example, research has shown that emotional factors can affect memory e.g. the effect of anxiety on EWT. This suggests that the cognitive approach is a limited explanation for human behaviour
• what are two assumptions of the behaviourist approach?

  One is that behaviour is learnt through conditioning. Behaviourist psychologists use both classical and operant conditioning as explanations of how human behaviour is learnt. Another is that all behaviour is learned.  Behaviourist psychologists believe that baby’s minds are ‘blank slates’ and all behaviour is learned through our interaction with the environment and isn’t innate.
• what is a strength of the behaviourist approach?

  It’s based on well-conducted research. Behaviourists focused on the study of observable behaviour, and by breaking it up into stimulus-response links, it allowed cause and effect links to be established. For example skinner was able to demonstrate how reinforcement influenced animal behaviour . This suggests that behaviourist experiments have scientific credibility.
• What is a limitation of the behaviourist approach?

  It’s use of environmental determinism. Behaviourists view all our behaviour as results of our past conditioning experiences. For example, we show respect to authority figures because we were rewarded for this behaviour as children. This ignores any influence that free will may have on our behaviour. This suggests that Behaviourism is a limited explanation as it ignores the influence conscious-decision making  on behaviour
• what are two assumptions of SLT

  One is vicarious reinforcement. This means that a observer will watch the behaviour of a role model, and the punishment or reward they receive. If the role model is rewarded for their behaviour, the observer is more likely to imitate it. Another is the role of mediational processes. This inolve, Attention, retention, motor  skills, and motivation. These mental process determine whether a new behaviour is learned and repeated.
• what is a strength of SLT

  It recognises the importance of the cognitive factors involved in behaviour. Conditioning cant offer an adequate explanation, as humans store information and make decisions about when to perform certain actions. This suggests that SLT provides a more comprehensive explanation by recognising the role of mediational processes.
• What is a limitation of SLT

  It’s evidence was obtained through lab studies. Lab studies are often criticised for their contrived nature as participants respond to demand characteristics. For example, it was suggested that in the bobo doll study the children responded to demand characteristics as they believe that they were simply behaving in a way they thought was expected as the bobo doll is meant to be hit. This suggests that SLT may not be a reliable explanation for the acquisition of behaviour.
• what is an assumption of the humanistic approach

  One is self-actualisation. psychologists believe that everybody strives to achieve self-actualisation, and their behaviour should align with this. This is the innate desire to achieve your full potential, and is the top stage of the hierarchy of needs. There can be psychological barriers which may prevent a person from reaching their full potential.
• what is another assumption of the humanistic approach?

  Another is congruence. Psychologists believe that you need to achieve congruence between your current and ideal self in order for personal growth to be achieved For example, your behaviour and cognition should align with that of your ideal self. If a big gap exists between your current and ideal self, self-actualisation may not be possible.
• what is a strength of the humanistic approach

  It’s not reductionist. Humanism takes a more holistic approach, so instead of breaking behaviour into small parts, it studies it as a whole. Unlike approaches such as the biological approach which breaks down into it’s basic physiological features, humanistic psychologists study that subjective experience can only be understood when studying the whole person. This suggests that this approach may have more validity
• What is a limitation of the humanistic approach

  It may be culturally biased. Concepts such as self-actualisation and individual freedom may not be considered desirable in collectivist cultures such as China, the same way they are in individualist cultures such as America. This suggests that this approach may not be able to explain behaviour universally, and is a product of the environment in which it was developed
• What are two assumption of the psychodynamic approach

  One is the role of the unconscious. Freud suggested that most of our mind was made up of our unconscious, which stores biological drives and instincts which influence our behaviour and personality. It also contains disturbing, repressed memories which can unconsciously affect our behaviour. Another is the psychosexual stages. Freud believed that children’s behaviour develop din stages which are marked by a different conflict. An unresolved psychosexual stage can lead to fixations which carries certain behaviours into our adult life.
• what is a strength of the psychodynamic approach

  It has real life application. This approach introduced the idea of psychoanalysis, a form of therapy designed to access the unconscious mind. This was the first attempt to treat mental disorders psychologically instead of physically. This lead the way for talking therapies such as counselling which have since been established. This suggests that the psychodynamic approach has real-world value.
• What is a limitation of the psychodynamic approach


  It’s based upon untestable concepts. This approach doesn’t reach the scientific criterion of falsification as it’s not open to empirical testing. Many of Freud’s concepts such as the Id, occur at unconscious levels, making them impossible to test. This suggests that the psychodynamic approach lacks reliability and is pseudoscientific.