assumptions of key areas

• social

  1. behaviour is affected by the actual, imagined or implied presence of other people
  2. behaviour is affected by situational factors and social context
• cognitive

  1. behaviour is terms of how the mind processes information
  2. underlying idea that the mind works like a computer
  3. investigating internal mental processes eg problem solving+memory
  4. scientific method to est cause and effect
• developmental

  1. how thinking feeling and behaviour change throughout a persons life
  2. development during childhood as this is period when most change occurs
• biological

  1. behaviour is down to brain structure eg genes, hormones + neurotransmitters
  2. psychology should be viewed as a science, measuring variables objectively
  3. nature rather than nurture.
• individual differences

  1. to understand human behaviour we must focus on our differences rather then our similarities
  2. individual differences can be measured eg psychometric tests
  3. behaviour due to genetics, social experiences and personal qualities which makes it unique.
• psychodynamic perspective

  1. most behaviour is driven by conscious motives
  2. childhood is critical period of development
  3. mental disorders arise from unconscious conflicts originating in childhood
  4. resolution occur through assessing and coming to terms with repressed ideas and conflict
• behaviourist perspective

  1. we are all born as a blank slate and all behaviour is learnt through observation
  2. all behaviour is a product of our environment
• social advantages


  • measures natural behaviours not influenced by restricted environments or DC
  • environmentally deterministic therefore behaviour can be predicted
• social weaknesses


  • to study natural behaviours, ethical guidelines must be broken eg deception
  • over emphasis role of situation but tells us nothing about individual factors
• cognitive strengths


  • uses scientific research methods allowing cause and effect conclusions to be drawn
  • collects quantitive data
• cognitive weaknesses


  • scientific methods result in a lack of ecological validity
• developmental strengths 


  • can be considered holistic
  • practical applications
  • collects both types of data
• developmental weaknesses


  • some associated behaviours are difficult to operationalise
  • focus on children can raise ethical issues
  • focus of environmental determinism
• biological strengths


  • scientific research methods allow cause and effect conclusions
  • theoretically useful by giving insight on how the brain can influence behaviour
  • collects quantitive data
• biological weaknesses


  • scientific research methods lack ecological validity
  • over emphasis on role of biology, ignoring nurture
  • socially sensitive as bio d so removes responsibility from individual causing stigma
• individual differences strengths


  • useful practical applications from findings
  • allows insight into unique behaviours
• individual differences weaknesses


  • data may lack validity as different research methods need to be used to understand differences eg case studies or self-reports
  • socially sensitive and measuring ID may mean working with vulnerable groups
• psychodynamic perspective strengths


  • favours case study method giving rich, highly detailed data giving good insight
  • practical applications eg psychoanalysis
• psychodynamic perspective weaknesses


  • theories are difficult to test empirically and aren't regarded as scientific
  • use of small samples therefore cannot generalise findings
• behaviourist perspective strengths

  • favours scientific research methods allowing cause and effect conclusions to be drawn
  • theoretically useful giving insight on how behaviourism can shpe behaviour
• behaviourist perspective weaknesses

  • socially sensitivity as environmentally deterministic-> removes responsibility
  • too simplistic as only focuses on nurture
• biological area applications


  • drug therapies for those with mental health disorders
  • understanding of brain areas helps with understanding rehabilitation
• psychodynamic applications


  • therapies- psychoanalysis, dream analysis
  • recovering repressed memories
  • rehabilitation for criminals
• behaviourist perspective applications


  • token economies
  • systematic desensitisation
• cognitive applications


  • cognitive therapies
  • eye witness testimonies
  • memory aids
  • teaching and learning
  • coaching in sports
• social applications


  • preventing war crimes
  • crowd patrol
  • promoting conformity and cohesion
• individual D. applications

  • counselling/client-centred therapy
  • psychoanalysis/psychotherapy
  • education-focsing on individual
• developmental applications

  • curriculum planning
  • teaching and learning
  • play therapy
  • identifying/intervention for atypical development