Approaches in Psychology

Biological Approach -

• The Physiological Approach – concentrates on the ways in which bodily activity can explain behaviour

• The Medical Approach – explains and treats mental disorders in terms of physical illness. Assumes that mental illness can be described in terms of clusters of symptoms and treated by means of medication

• The Nativist View - where behaviour can be explained n terms of inherited behaviour

Evaluation of Biological Approach -

Strengths –• As methods used scientific (especially

physiological approach), objective, quantitative data can be obtained

• Has many practical applications such as the use of drugs to treat for example mental illness or stress

Weaknesses –• It tends to underestimate the role of nurture

and the influence of free will on our behaviour – gives impression that humans are powerless in face of their biological endowment

• Rather simplistic – does not give full credit to complex interplay of body and mind or role of emotion and conciousness on our thoughts and behaviour

Behavioural Approach -

Bandura – Bobo doll –http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWsxfoJEwQQ

Evaluation of Behavioural Approach -

Strengths –• Emphasises importance of learning on

behaviour – learning does play a fundamental part

• Lends itself well to scientific methodology – can be studied and measured very easily

Weaknesses –• Takes no account of conciousness, subjective

experience or the role of emotions• Underestimates the role of biological factors

in influencing behaviour• Insufficient to explain more complex

behaviours such as the acquisition of language

Describe how the Behavioural approach might explain the behaviour of Errol -

All the people who know Errol agree that he is a very attractive young man. He has a fine dress sense, a muscular physique and handsome features. Errol is short sighted however and is tired of wearing contact lenses as he found them uncomfortable. He was prescribed glasses but he only rarely wears them because he thinks they spoil his good looks. Some people think he is extremely vain.

Explain your answer from each of the three learning theories -

• Classical Conditioning – Errol has learned to associate admiration with a muscular physique and an attractive face. He views an attractive face without glasses.

• Operant Conditioning - Errol could be vain because he has seen others, including powerful and attractive male media figures being admired (rewarded). Admiration from others is

a powerful positive reinforcer.• Social learning - Errol would have observed other people’s

reactions to physically attractive people and also physically unattractive people such as people who wear glasses!

Examples of Freud’s symbols for sexual fantasies -

Male genital organs - bullets, knives, snakes, weapons

Female sexual organs – caves, jars, ovens, tunnels

Sexual intercourse – entering a room, riding a horse, climbing a ladder

Breasts – apples, peaches

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/BFG

Evaluation of the Psychodynamic Approach -

Strengths –• Freud’s theory changed the Western view of

human nature and led to the importance of early childhood experience on later behaviour

• Approach helped us to recognise the need to acknowledge urges that are dangerous to ignore and that there is a difference in acknowledging them to acting on them

Weaknesses –• Theory lacks empirical support• Theory is unfalsifiable e.g. No way of knowing

whether the psychoanalyst’s analysis of symbols is correct

• Some evidence not supported e.g. little evidence for the Oedipus complex or for penis envy

Look at the following -

KTWLPKRDFPYH

Now count backwards in three’s from 20 -

BDRJFHVNLEQS

Now count backwards in three’s from 30 -

Evaluation of the Cognitive Approach -

Strengths –• Takes account of the influence of mental

processes on behaviour• Has many practical applications e.g. offered

advice on improving memory, improving problem solving skills and therapies for mental disorders

Weaknesses –• A very mechanistic approach which compares

humans to machines – computers don’t get bored, tired and make mistakes. Also the human brain has far greater abilities than even a very sophisticated computer

• Use of lab experiments limited – behaviour shown in labs not necessarily the behaviour in everyday situations

Milgram’s experiment –http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcvSNg0HZwk

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs -

Evaluation of the Humanistic Approach -

Strengths –• Approach is optimistic, it takes a positive view

of human nature and offers hope for people to take control of their lives and achieve fulfilment

• Been valuable in taking account of individuals’ subjective experience i.e. Importance of self esteem for example, a crucial concept for satisfactory living

Weaknesses –• Main concepts rather vague and untestable

e.g. How do you measure self actualisation?• Too much emphasis on the welfare of the

individual rather than others – approach accused of having a Western, individualistic orientation in which the needs of the individual are the main focus at the expense of the well-being of others