Paper 2:
The Approaches
Possible approaches topics and essays
The origins of psychology:
• There is no essay question for this topic therefore the highest mark question you are
likely to get is an 8 mark question
• An example of this would be: Outline and briefly evaluate the work of Wundt (8
marks)
The learning approach: behaviourism:
• Discuss the contribution of behaviourist psychologists such as Pavlov and Skinner to
our understanding of human behaviour. (16 marks)
• Describe and evaluate the behaviourist approach in psychology. Refer to both
Pavlov’s and Skinner’s research in your answer
The learning approach: social learning theory:
• Outline and evaluate the social learning approach in psychology. (16 marks)
The cognitive approach:
• Outline and evaluate the cognitive approach in psychology. (16 marks)
The biological approach:
• Outline and evaluate the biological approach in psychology. (16 marks)
The psychodynamic approach:
• Outline and evaluate the psychodynamic approach in psychology. (16 marks)
The Approaches
Possible approaches topics and essays
The origins of psychology:
• There is no essay question for this topic therefore the highest mark question you are
likely to get is an 8 mark question
• An example of this would be: Outline and briefly evaluate the work of Wundt (8
marks)
The learning approach: behaviourism:
• Discuss the contribution of behaviourist psychologists such as Pavlov and Skinner to
our understanding of human behaviour. (16 marks)
• Describe and evaluate the behaviourist approach in psychology. Refer to both
Pavlov’s and Skinner’s research in your answer
The learning approach: social learning theory:
• Outline and evaluate the social learning approach in psychology. (16 marks)
The cognitive approach:
• Outline and evaluate the cognitive approach in psychology. (16 marks)
The biological approach:
• Outline and evaluate the biological approach in psychology. (16 marks)
The psychodynamic approach:
• Outline and evaluate the psychodynamic approach in psychology. (16 marks)
