Approach Specific evaluation Methodological/research method Real-world application Issues/debates/comparison to other
evaluation (Increases the value of the approach) approaches
The -Over-reliance on animals in -Well-controlled research. -Token economy systems (OC) -Environmental determinism. Sees all
Behaviourist research. Skinner’s research Behaviourists focus on measuring Principles of operant conditioning behaviour as conditioned and due to
approach involved the study of animals observable behaviours in lab used in token economy systems (in past reinforcement. This ignores any
rather than humans. His studies on settings (seeing stimulus- prisons, psychiatric wards) which possible influence of free will may
rats/pigeons can be claimed to tell responses). Removing all EVs reward appropriate behaviour with have on behaviours. This extreme
us little about HUMAN behaviour. allows for cause and effect to be tokens that can be exchanged for position about this debate ignores the
Critics claim that humans have established. Skinner could show privileges. influence of cognitive decision-making
more free will that influences how reinforcement influences an processes on behaviour (which the
behaviour rather than just positive animal’s behaviour. So, the appr cognitive approach accounts for)
and negative reinforcement. has scientific credibility. -Treatment of phobias (CC)
Classical conditioning applied to
-Ethical issues. The animals e.g rats desensitisation, involves eliminating
used in Skinner’s research were the learned anxious response (CR) to
housed in harsh, cramped a fear (CS) by replacing it with
conditions and deliberately kept something relaxing. Found to be
below their natural weight so they effective with many fears
could stay hungry. Breaches the (arachnophobia)
BPS ethical guidelines
The Social -Recognises importance of -Heavy reliance on lab studies -Cultural and gender roles. SLT -Reciprocal determinism. The theory
Learning cognitive factors. States that (demand characteristics). Evidence shows how cultural norms are explains how we exert influence on
theory humans/animals store info about for SLT based on observational lab transmitted through societies and our external environment as well as
the behaviour of others and make studies, which have a contrived how this causes different behaviour. being influenced by it. So there is an
judgements about when it’s nature where pp’s may respond to Explains how children understand element of free will.
appropriate to perform certain demand characteristics (creating the gender role whilst growing up
actions. So, SLT provides a more false results). E.g Bobo study, kids -Underestimates biological factors.
comprehensive explanation of might have thought the purpose of -Criminal behaviour. SLT can help us Which influence social learning.
human learning by recognising the the doll was to strike it down, so understand criminal behaviour. Bandura thought learning was
role of mediational processes they behaved in a way which they Akers (1998) if someone is exposed determined by the environment.
thought was expected. Can’t tell us to someone who commits criminal Research shows observational
much about children & aggression behaviour, they are more likely to learning may be due to mirror
in real life. engage in a life of crime- they neurons in the brain which allow us to
identify with the models and think imitate others. Also, in Bobo doll
there are positive consequences study influence of testosterone
(aggression) in boys wasn’t taken into
account.
evaluation (Increases the value of the approach) approaches
The -Over-reliance on animals in -Well-controlled research. -Token economy systems (OC) -Environmental determinism. Sees all
Behaviourist research. Skinner’s research Behaviourists focus on measuring Principles of operant conditioning behaviour as conditioned and due to
approach involved the study of animals observable behaviours in lab used in token economy systems (in past reinforcement. This ignores any
rather than humans. His studies on settings (seeing stimulus- prisons, psychiatric wards) which possible influence of free will may
rats/pigeons can be claimed to tell responses). Removing all EVs reward appropriate behaviour with have on behaviours. This extreme
us little about HUMAN behaviour. allows for cause and effect to be tokens that can be exchanged for position about this debate ignores the
Critics claim that humans have established. Skinner could show privileges. influence of cognitive decision-making
more free will that influences how reinforcement influences an processes on behaviour (which the
behaviour rather than just positive animal’s behaviour. So, the appr cognitive approach accounts for)
and negative reinforcement. has scientific credibility. -Treatment of phobias (CC)
Classical conditioning applied to
-Ethical issues. The animals e.g rats desensitisation, involves eliminating
used in Skinner’s research were the learned anxious response (CR) to
housed in harsh, cramped a fear (CS) by replacing it with
conditions and deliberately kept something relaxing. Found to be
below their natural weight so they effective with many fears
could stay hungry. Breaches the (arachnophobia)
BPS ethical guidelines
The Social -Recognises importance of -Heavy reliance on lab studies -Cultural and gender roles. SLT -Reciprocal determinism. The theory
Learning cognitive factors. States that (demand characteristics). Evidence shows how cultural norms are explains how we exert influence on
theory humans/animals store info about for SLT based on observational lab transmitted through societies and our external environment as well as
the behaviour of others and make studies, which have a contrived how this causes different behaviour. being influenced by it. So there is an
judgements about when it’s nature where pp’s may respond to Explains how children understand element of free will.
appropriate to perform certain demand characteristics (creating the gender role whilst growing up
actions. So, SLT provides a more false results). E.g Bobo study, kids -Underestimates biological factors.
comprehensive explanation of might have thought the purpose of -Criminal behaviour. SLT can help us Which influence social learning.
human learning by recognising the the doll was to strike it down, so understand criminal behaviour. Bandura thought learning was
role of mediational processes they behaved in a way which they Akers (1998) if someone is exposed determined by the environment.
thought was expected. Can’t tell us to someone who commits criminal Research shows observational
much about children & aggression behaviour, they are more likely to learning may be due to mirror
in real life. engage in a life of crime- they neurons in the brain which allow us to
identify with the models and think imitate others. Also, in Bobo doll
there are positive consequences study influence of testosterone
(aggression) in boys wasn’t taken into
account.
