OCR Psychology - Approaches & Perspectives

Question	Answer
Assumptions of the Cognitive Approach	- Behaviour can be largely explained in terms of how the mind operates. - The mind works in a manner which is similar to a computer; inputting, storing and retrieving data.
Strengths of the Cognitive Approach	- The cognitive approach used rigorous scientific methods to investigate behaviour - Has many useful applications - Has contributed to our understanding of human phenomenon and has integrated well with other approaches.
Weaknesses of the Cognitive Approach	- Can be over simplistic, ignores other complexities of human functioning compared to that of a computer. - Deterministic! - Unrealistic – and studies often lack ecological validity. - Ignores emotion and freewill in humans
AS Studies in the Cognitive Approach	- Loftus-Palmer - Savage-Rumbaugh Baron-Cohen
Assumptions of the Social Approach	- All behaviour occurs in a social context, even when nobody else is physically present. - A major influence on people’s behaviour, thought processes and emotions are other people and the society they create - An individual’s behaviour is affected by situational factors.
Strengths of the Social Approach	- Social influences have been shown to have an often stronger effect than dispositional factors - The approach can provide explanation for a great many phenomenon - The approach is useful in explaining prejudice and discrimination - The approach often adopts scientific methods to conduct research.
Weaknesses of the Social Approach	- Underestimates what people bring to a social situation - Provides only superficial ‘snapshots’ of behaviour and ignores their development over time. - Studies often use unrepresentative samples - Often conducted in laboratories, therefore lack ecological validity.
AS Studies in the Social Approach	- Milgram - Piliavin - Reicher & Haslam
Assumptions of the Individual Differences Approach	- Behaviour which deviates from the norm is considered abnormal. - Aims to make generalisations about differences between people - Focuses on the unique characteristics of the individual
Strengths of the Individual Differences Approach	- The approach allows us to understand human behaviour and find causes for psychological disorders. - The approach may help us to find explanations for why people are different and reduce prejudice and discrimination - The approach helps us to understand that humans are unique and that people should be treated as individuals.
Weaknesses of the Individual Differences Approach	- The studies in this field often have small samples due to the rarity of the participants and so may lack generalisability. - The studies may be susceptible to ethical problems such as exploitation of the participants
AS Studies in the Individual Differences Approach	- Thigpen & Cleckley -Rosenhan - Griffiths
Assumptions of the Developmental Approach	- All behaviour is adulthood is effected by experiences in childhood. - Development changes are a results of inherited factors (nature), which include events that occur as a result of maturation, such as puberty. - Lifetime experiences (nurture), which include interactions with other people.
Strengths of the Developmental Approach	- Allow us to understand the effects of childhood, - The area contributes to our understanding of the nature and nurture debate. - Allows us to measure behaviour over time
Weaknesses of the Developmental Approach	- Qual Data, can be bias. - May focus greatly on childhood and in turn be deterministic - Long studies, more resources. - May lack generalisability due to samples used and may ignore historical and cultural influences.
AS Studies in the Developmental Approach	- Freud - Bandura - Samuel & Bryant
Assumptions of the Physiological/Biological Approach	- Reduced to the functioning of physiological systems. - All that is psychological is first physiological ; ultimately have a physical/biological cause. - All behaviour has a genetic basis
Strengths of the Biological/Physiological Approach	- The approach is very scientific and is grounded in hard science - It provides substantial evidence for then nature in the nature/nurture debate - Helps us to understand behaviour which would not be possible to test any other way. E.g. dreaming.
Weaknesses of the Biological/Physiological Approach	- Reductionist - Can not explain how the mind and body interact. - Over simplistic .
AS Studies in the Biological/Physiological Approach	- Macguire - Dement & Kleitman Sperry
Assumptions of the Psychodynamic Perspective	- Human development is a dynamic process - Early experience is very important for shaping personality, relationships. - ID, Ego & Superego in constant conflict, and understanding these will allow us to understand behaviour - The mind is split into three – the preconscious, unconscious and conscious.
Strengths of the Psychodynamic Approach	- The approach allows us to recognise that childhood is a critical period and that unconscious influences can effect behaviour - Adopts the idiographic, using one participant, you gain lots of rich data. - Data is qualitative – meaning a greater degree of understanding and elaboration of human behaviour
Weaknesses of the Psychodynamic Approach	- No actual empirical evidence, no experiments - Based largely on non-generalisable samples – rich upper middle class, European. - Deterministic - Unfalsifiable!
Assumptions of the Behaviourist Approach	• Majority of all behaviour is learned from the environment after birth. • Behaviour is determined by the environment • Only observable behaviour should be studied, is psychology is to be an objective science.
Strengths of the Behaviourist Approach	- Good Reliability - Behaviourism has produced a wide and varied number of practical applications, some of which have been very effective. - Allows us to understand the nurture aspect of the nature/nurture debate.
Weaknesses of the Behaviourist Approach	- Use of animals - Another weakness of the behaviourist perspective is that all research is conducted in controlled artificial environments. - Deterministic, assumes humans are passive to classical and operant conditioning.

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OCR Psychology - Approaches & Perspectives

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	Created by Livv Wright over 9 years ago