Comparison of approaches

• Why might comparing different psychological approaches be confusing?

  Due to the many potential differences between each approach
• What are the key topics used to compare psychological approaches?

  • The method used
  • Issues and debates
  • Application to psychological treatments
• What should you do when writing a comparison essay on psychological approaches?

  Compare each approach on each issue separately
• How should you structure your comparisons in an essay?

  By stating how approach A relates to an issue and then how approach B relates to the same issue
• What is the significance of using objective measuring devices in biological psychology?

  It enhances the scientific credibility of the approach
• What types of research studies are mentioned in relation to biological psychology?

  Pavlov's research on dogs and Skinner's research on rats
• Why do social learning theorists study mediational processes?

  Because they are internal mental processes that cannot be directly observed
• How do cognitive psychologists validate their theoretical models?

  By using highly controlled laboratory experiments
• What is the main criticism of cognitive psychology regarding scientific validity?

  It cannot fully be considered scientific due to the inference of internal processes
• What is biological determinism?

  The idea that behaviors are caused by physical nature such as hormones and genes
• How does the psychodynamic approach view behavior?

  As shaped by unconscious drives and repressed memories
• What do humanists argue about the scientific method?

  They reject it, claiming human behavior is too complex for simple variables
• What is the role of free will in humanistic psychology?

  Humans have agency and moral responsibility for their choices
• How do behaviorists view the nature-nurture debate?

  They argue that environmental factors are the most important influences on behavior
• What is the cognitive approach's stance on the nature-nurture debate?

  It argues that both aspects are important
• What is reductionism in psychology?

  Explaining behavior as due to simple stimulus-response links
• How do cognitive psychologists view the mind in relation to computers?

  They use a computer analogy to explain the mind and brain
• What is the significance of holistic explanations in humanistic psychology?

  They argue that a wide range of factors must be included to explain behavior
• What psychological treatments are based on behaviorist principles?

  • Flooding
  • Systematic desensitization
• How does social learning therapy aim to alter maladaptive behavior?

  By using modeling in a safe environment
• What is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) designed to do?

  To restructure irrational thoughts and negative schemas
• What do biological theories often lead to in terms of treatment?

  Drug therapy and brain surgery
• What is the focus of psychodynamic therapy?

  To explore past experiences and unconscious thoughts
• What is the goal of client-centered therapy in humanistic psychology?

  To assist clients in understanding their own experiences
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