Comparison of approaches

• What are the main approaches to psychology mentioned?

  Behaviourist, Social, Learning, Cognitive, Biological, Psychodynamic, Humanistic
• What do the processes underpinning learning suggest about development?

  • Continuous processes
  • Occur at any age
• How does behaviourism view child development?

  It views development as stage theories.
• What is the idea of schema in child development?

  Schema evolves as the child gets older.
• What does the biological approach emphasize in development?

  Genetically determined maturational changes.
• What is the psychodynamic view on development?

  It sees development of self as ongoing.
• What is the nature vs nurture debate in psychology?

  It discusses the influence of genetics and environment.
• What does behaviourism suggest about babies at birth?

  Babies are 'blank states' at birth.
• How does social learning theory differ from behaviourism?

  It includes observation and imitation processes.
• What does the cognitive approach recognize about information-processing abilities?

  They are innate but refined by experience.
• What does the biological approach state about behaviour?

  Behaviour stems from genetic blueprints.
• How does the psychodynamic approach view the relationship with parents?

  It sees it as crucial for behaviour development.
• What impact do parents and society have according to the humanistic approach?

  They critically impact self-concept lessons.
• What are the strengths and weaknesses of reductionism in psychology?

  Strengths:

  • Simplifies complex learning for testing
  • Easier to study in controlled environments

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Oversimplifies human behaviour
  • Ignores emotional factors
• How does the cognitive approach interact with the external environment?

  It recognizes cognitive factors' interaction.
• What is machine reductionism?

  Use of information processing analogy.
• How does the biological approach reduce behaviour?

  It reduces behaviour to genes and neurons.
• What does the humanistic approach emphasize about personality?

  Personality is a dynamic, holistic interaction.
• What does determinism imply in psychology?

  • Behaviours are determined by external forces
  • Influences from the environment are significant
• What is reciprocal determinism?

  We influence our environment and vice versa.
• What does soft determinism suggest about behaviour?

  We choose behaviour within our knowledge limits.
• What does genetic determinism imply about behaviour?

  Innate influences direct much of our behaviour.
• What drives behaviour according to psychodynamic theory?

  Unconscious forces drive our behaviour.
• How does humanistic psychology view free will?

  Humans have free will and are active agents.
• What are the explanations for abnormal behaviour in psychology?

  • Arises from maladaptive/faulty learning
  • Behavioural therapies focus on unlearning
  • Modelling explains aggressive behaviour development
• What is the aim of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in treating depression?

  To eradicate faulty thinking.
• How do psychoactive drugs help in treating mental disorders?

  They regulate chemical imbalances in the brain.
• What causes anxiety disorders according to psychodynamic theory?

  Unconscious conflicts and overuse of defences.
• What is the goal of psychoanalysis?

  To connect individuals with their unconscious thoughts.
• What does humanistic therapy aim to achieve?

  To reduce incongruence and stimulate growth.