Evaluating Appproaches

• What does NURDS stand for ?

  Nurture/Nature, Usefulness, Reductionism,Determinism,Scientific Nature of Approach
• Nomothetic : If approach takes this view then it conducts researcg with a representative sample in order to develop generalisations and laws about specific causes of human behaviour ( Loftus and Palmer)

  Reconstruction of automatic destruction ; an example of the interaction between language and memory generalising .
• Idiographic :

  If an approach takes an idiographic view then it conducts research on individuals or small groups in order to gain unique insight into that individuals behaviour. Individual is studied in great depth and generalisation are not made from that individual to the wider population ( Bowlby J 1944 44 juvenile thieves )
• Nature - Approach suggests Human behaviour is mainly caused by genetic and biological factors then it takes a ‘nature’ stance. Doesn’t necessarily say that the causes of all behaviour are present at birth but it does suggest the causes of behaviour are internal.
• Nurture - Approach suggests human behaviour is caused by environmental factors then it takes a ‘nurture’ stance . Environment refers to physical and social surroundings in all areas of life .
• Reductionism

  If an approach reduces complex and varied causes of human behaviour down to the cause and effect of a relatively limited set of related factors then it’s considered reductionist.
• A reductionist persepective suggests causes of human behaviour are best understood by studying each specific causal factors in isolation. ( Biological Approach reduces cause of mental illness down to specific biological factors such as depression to low seratonin) biological reductionalism.
• Holism : If an approach takes into account the wider range of varied interlinked factors that combine to cause human behaviour rather than focussing on the cause and effect of a relatively limited set of related factors.
• Holistic perspective : suggests the overall cause of human behaviour is best understood by studying a range of different factors that cause it in combination. (Psychodynamic approach suggests the cause of mental illness is due to a combination of internal drives)
• Determinist

  • If an approach suggests that human behaviour is controlled by specific factors (internal or external ) rather than an individuals will to do something then its deterministic .
  • Free will : if an approach suggests an individual is capable of self determination they agree to choose the behaviour and not acting in response to any fixed causes
• Scientific

  • if an approach uses research to create and test specific measurable objective predictions by collecting precise quantaive replicable data then its scientific. Science uses methodology and procedure in theory , enable others to falsify their explanations for human behaviour
• Non Scientific

  • If an approach uses research to create and test broad subjective data that’s only relevant in that moment and cannot be replicated then its non scientific . Non science involves methodology and procedures that are difficult or impossible to replicate and therefore often cannot be proven wrong.
  • ( psychodynamic assumption of consciousness as it proposes behaviour is due to trauma in the unconscious that cannot be meausured)