Comparison of Approaches

• Biological Approach:

  • Reductionism: neurochemical basis of behaviour e.g overproduction of dopamine in schizophrenia
  • Nature: inherited factors & genes expressed through physical, behavioural & psychological characteristics
  • (Hard) Determinism: Human behaviour governed by internal/genetic causes (genotype/ phenotype)
  • Scientific: Investigate genetic & biological basis of behaviour using scanning techniques (fMRI & EEG) — controlled & objective
• Behaviourist Approach:

  • (Environmental) Reductionism: explains simple and complex behaviour in terms of stimulus-response e.g. stimuli, response, reinforcement and punishment.
  • Nurture: Environment determines the intelligence, temperament, and other personality characteristics of a child
  • (Environmental) Determinism: sees all behaviour as conditioned by experiences / product of environment /born a ‘blank slate’ – ignores influence free will may have on behaviour (Skinner: free will is an illusion)
  • Scientific: behaviourists only focus on observable/empirical methods of research
• Social Learning Theory:

  • (Fairly) Reductionism: simplistic but focuses on mediating factors.
  • Nurture: behaviour is affected by imitation and observation e.g Bandura’s Bobo Doll / vicarious reinforcement
  • (Reciprocal) Determinism: our behaviour is learned and reinforced by others
  • Scientific (nomothetic): investigates through replicable, scientific methods — empirical methods
• Cognitive Approach:

  • Reductionism (machine): theoretical & computer model (MSM) / computer analogy of the brain
  • Nature & Nurture: Behaviour is the product of information processing and modified by experience
  • (Soft) Determinism: human behaviour – internal & external factors but can also assert free will
  • Scientific: use of lab studies – fMRI & PET scans e.g Broca’s area = cognitive neuroscience — not empirical = makes inferences of mental processes
• Psychodynamic Approach:

  • (Fairly) Reductionism: reduces behaviour into basic sex drives and instincts, however, it does consider environmental influences.
  • Mostly Nature: Behaviour is the product of innate drives, but shaped by early childhood  experiences.
  • (Psychic) Determinism: Behaviour is determined by unconscious conflicts rooted in childhood – Freud believed there is no such thing as an accident 
  • Non-Scientific: uses mainly case studies and interpretation through dream analysis/word association.
• Humanistic Approach:

  • Holistic: investigates all parts of an individual as well as how they engage in the wider society.
  • Mostly Nurture: Behaviour is shaped by the environment as humans strive to achieve self-actualisation.
  • Free Will: Humans are able to make their own decisions and are not determined by biological or environmental factors – have agency
  • Non-Scientific: does not use scientific methods for exploring the complexities of human behaviour.