APPROACHES IN PSYCHOLOGY
Throughout the history of psychology, there have been varying
theoretical viewpoints, called “approaches”.
WHAT ARE THE NAMES OF THE MOST IMPORTANT
APPROACHES IN A LEVEL PSYCHOLOGY?
Today, there are many different approaches to psychology, but
the most important in A-Level psychology are the:
BEHAVIOURIST
SOCIAL LEARNING
PSYCHODYNAMIC (A LEVEL ONLY)
HUMANISTIC (A LEVEL ONLY)
COGNITIVE
BIOLOGICAL
, What are the differences between each approach?
They each vary in a number of ways…
Underlying assumptions about behaviour
Each approach has a set of assumptions that are taken for granted about
behaviour.
For example;
The behaviourist approach assumes that all behaviour is learnt.
The psychodynamic approach assumes that all behaviour has an
unconscious cause.
What is deemed the appropriate subject matter for
psychology
Approaches differ as to which areas of behaviour are considered suitable
for study.
For example;
Those adopting the behaviourist approach believe that only observable
behaviour should be studies. (Particularly in non-human animals.)
Those adopting the humanistic approach concentrate on the subjective
experience of the individual. (A-Level only)
The methods used to study behaviour
The approaches may vary in the methods used to study behaviour.
The methods used will determine the knowledge collected about
behaviour.
This is known as epistemology.
For example;
The Biological and the behaviourist approaches use the experiment.
The psychodynamic approach used case studies.
, The position taken in the debates (A-Level)
Debates include nature-nurture and free-will-determinism.
The role of psychology in the world (A-Level)
For example;
Approaches with a scientific basis, like the biological and behaviourist,
see the role of psychology as discovering knowledge about the causes and
effects of behaviour.
On the other hand, the aim of the Humanistic approach is to improve the
lives of individuals and encourage their personal growth.
Are there any similarities between the approaches?
The unifying theme between all these approaches is:
Their concern with the understanding of mind and behaviour.
, Learning Approaches Approach
What is the Learning Approach?
The learning approach is an umbrella term for a
group of theories which emphasise the importance
of learning.
What does the Learning Approach include?
1. The Behaviourist Approach
2. Social Learning Theory
Throughout the history of psychology, there have been varying
theoretical viewpoints, called “approaches”.
WHAT ARE THE NAMES OF THE MOST IMPORTANT
APPROACHES IN A LEVEL PSYCHOLOGY?
Today, there are many different approaches to psychology, but
the most important in A-Level psychology are the:
BEHAVIOURIST
SOCIAL LEARNING
PSYCHODYNAMIC (A LEVEL ONLY)
HUMANISTIC (A LEVEL ONLY)
COGNITIVE
BIOLOGICAL
, What are the differences between each approach?
They each vary in a number of ways…
Underlying assumptions about behaviour
Each approach has a set of assumptions that are taken for granted about
behaviour.
For example;
The behaviourist approach assumes that all behaviour is learnt.
The psychodynamic approach assumes that all behaviour has an
unconscious cause.
What is deemed the appropriate subject matter for
psychology
Approaches differ as to which areas of behaviour are considered suitable
for study.
For example;
Those adopting the behaviourist approach believe that only observable
behaviour should be studies. (Particularly in non-human animals.)
Those adopting the humanistic approach concentrate on the subjective
experience of the individual. (A-Level only)
The methods used to study behaviour
The approaches may vary in the methods used to study behaviour.
The methods used will determine the knowledge collected about
behaviour.
This is known as epistemology.
For example;
The Biological and the behaviourist approaches use the experiment.
The psychodynamic approach used case studies.
, The position taken in the debates (A-Level)
Debates include nature-nurture and free-will-determinism.
The role of psychology in the world (A-Level)
For example;
Approaches with a scientific basis, like the biological and behaviourist,
see the role of psychology as discovering knowledge about the causes and
effects of behaviour.
On the other hand, the aim of the Humanistic approach is to improve the
lives of individuals and encourage their personal growth.
Are there any similarities between the approaches?
The unifying theme between all these approaches is:
Their concern with the understanding of mind and behaviour.
, Learning Approaches Approach
What is the Learning Approach?
The learning approach is an umbrella term for a
group of theories which emphasise the importance
of learning.
What does the Learning Approach include?
1. The Behaviourist Approach
2. Social Learning Theory
