Comparisons of approaches

• Behaviourism

  Most contradictory approaches (by assumptions) - 

  Cognitive, biological

  Child development - Behaviourism doesn’t offer a view of CD BUT can explain learning as a process throughout childhood

  NvN - SO NURTURE! Can be compared to any biologically based approach 

  Reductionist?

  YES

  Deterministic?

  YES - environmental determinism 

  Causes/treatment of mental illness - 

  Useful treatment of phobias via systematic desensitization 
• Cognitive

  Most contradictory approaches (by assumptions) - 

  Behaviourism

  CD - Emphasises the role of schemas in child development, especially gender development

  NvN - A little bit of both, we all have innate internal mental processes, but our environment can impact them i.e. depression

  Reductionist -

  YES - environmental determinism 

  Causes/treatment of mental illness - 

  Useful treatment of depression via CBT
• SLT

  Most contradictory approaches (by assumptions) - 

  Biological

  Child development and NvN -

  As with behaviourism 

  Reductionist? 

  Yes but less so due to the consideration of how cognitive processes interact with the environment and influence the response 

  Deterministic?

  YES - reciprocal determinism 

  Causes/treatment of mental illness - 

  Relatively little application however can be used to explain aggression and by extension some crime
• Biological

  Most contradictory approaches (by assumptions) - 

  Behaviourism

  Child development and NvN -

  Child development is discussed through a series of physiological changes internal and external. VERY NATURE

  Reductionist? 

  YES

  Deterministic?

  YES

  Causes/treatment of mental illness - 

  Effective treatment of a number of psychological conditions through drug therapy i.e. SSRIs
• Psychodynamic

  Most contradictory approaches (by assumptions) - 

  Behaviourism or biological

  CD - Psychosexual stages

  NvN - more tricky! Some biological elements like innate drives but we learn much from our parents i.e. response during psychosexual stages, identifying with the same sex parent 

  Reductionist? 

  YES - innate drives

  HOWEVER the tripartite model is considered holistic by some

  Deterministic?

  YES - psychic determinism 

  Causes/treatment of mental illness - 

  Psychoanalysis is an effective treatment for some conditions i.e. trauma
• Humanism

  Most contradictory approaches (by assumptions) - 

  Psychodynamic

  CD - The development of the self is a lifelong process but relationship with the parents (i.e. unconditional positive regard) is a key determinant of psychological health

  NvN - Similar as with psychodynamic, our environment can significantly impact our self concept 

  Reductionist? 

  NO!

  Deterministic?

  NO

  Causes/treatment of mental illness - 

  Client centred therapy (CCT) is an effective treatment