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The Six Main Approaches in Psychology

Foundational Differences

Core Thesis

The six main approaches in psychology differ in their assumptions about human nature, the causes of behaviour, methods of study, and applications.

Key Approach Contrasts

🧠

Understanding the Divide: The following cards illustrate the fundamental philosophical and methodological differences between the leading psychological perspectives.

Behaviourist vs Cognitive

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Behaviourist Focus: focuses on observable behaviour shaped by environment. Behaviourists reject unobservable mental concepts.
❌
Cognitive Focus: studies internal mental processes. Cognitive psychologists use models and inference.

Behaviourist vs SLT

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SLT: builds on behaviourism but incorporates cognitive factors and learning through observation.
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Behaviourism Limitation: only focuses on learning through direct reinforcement.

Biological vs Psychodynamic

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Biological Approach: looks at genetics, brain structures, and neurochemistry influencing behaviour.
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Psychodynamic Focus: focuses on unconscious processes, early childhood experiences, and internal conflicts.

Psychodynamic vs Humanistic

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Humanistic View: optimistic, focusing on free will, personal growth, and conscious experience.
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Psychodynamic View: deterministic and pessimistic, emphasising unconscious conflicts and childhood influences.

Cognitive vs Biological

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Cognitive Approach: studies mental processes and their neurological bases (cognitive neuroscience).
❌
Biological Approach: emphasises genes and brain chemistry.

Approach Methodologies

1

Scientific Methods

Behaviourist and biological approaches tend to use scientific and experimental methods.
2

Qualitative Methods

Psychodynamic and humanistic approaches use qualitative methods such as case studies and therapy sessions.
3

Data Quality

Qualitative methods are less scientific but rich in detail.

Synthesis and Understanding

💡

Comprehensive View: Each approach has strengths and limitations, and together they provide a comprehensive understanding of human behaviour from multiple perspectives.

Psychology Approaches Deck
Term
Six Main Approaches

What are the six main approaches in psychology?

Answer
List

Behaviourist, Cognitive, Social Learning Theory, Biological, Psychodynamic, Humanistic.

Term
Behaviourism

How does behaviourism explain behaviour?

Answer
Explanation

Behaviour is shaped by the environment and observable actions; internal mental states are ignored.

Term
Cognitive Psychology

What does cognitive psychology study?

Answer
Focus

Internal mental processes like memory, thinking, and problem-solving.

Term
Social Learning Theory

How does Social Learning Theory differ from behaviourism?

Answer
Difference

It incorporates cognitive factors and learning through observation, not just reinforcement.

Term
Biological Approach

What does the biological approach focus on?

Answer
Focus

Genetics, brain structures, and neurochemistry influencing behaviour.

Term
Psychodynamic Approach

What is the key focus of psychodynamic psychology?

Answer
Focus

Unconscious processes, early childhood experiences, and internal conflicts.

Term
Humanistic Psychology

How does humanistic psychology view human nature?

Answer
View

Optimistically, emphasizing free will, personal growth, and conscious experience.

Term
Scientific Methods

Which approaches primarily use scientific, experimental methods?

Answer
Approaches

Behaviourist and biological approaches.

Term
Qualitative Methods

Which approaches mainly use qualitative methods like case studies?

Answer
Approaches

Psychodynamic and humanistic approaches.

Term
Cognitive vs Biological

What is a major difference between cognitive and biological approaches?

Answer
Difference

Cognitive studies mental processes and their neural basis; biological emphasizes genes and brain chemistry.

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🧠 Psychology Approaches Quiz

1. Which psychological approach emphasizes learning through observation rather than direct reinforcement?

SLT includes cognitive aspects and learning by observing others, extending behaviourist ideas.

2. What does the psychodynamic approach focus on?

Psychodynamic theory emphasizes internal conflicts and early influences.

3. Which pair correctly contrasts the methods of two psychological approaches?

Behaviourism uses scientific experiments, while psychodynamic uses detailed case studies.

4. The humanistic approach is best described as:

Humanistic psychology views people as capable of growth and conscious choice.

5. Cognitive neuroscience bridges which two approaches?

Cognitive neuroscience studies mental processes alongside their neurological basis.

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