Approaches

Behavioural 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.  Behaviour is learned by conditioning: classical is for reflex (involuntary behaviour) and operant conditioning explains voluntary behaviour 

Strengths One strength of the Behaviourist Perspective is that it has very good reliability.  Behaviourism had produced  wide and varied number of practical applications, some of which have been very effective, e.g. therapy for individuals with phobias.  Allows us to understand the nurture aspect of the nature-nurture debate. Weaknesses One weakness is the use of animals in behaviourist research.  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.

Social Learning Theory

The social learning theory approach believes that meditational processes, which lie between stimulus and responses, influence our behaviour.  Therefore the social learning theory can be seen as a bridge between behaviourism and cognitive learning theories.  This approach believes that learning can occur by observing role models in the environment; there are two types of role models: live model- who are physically present (mother, sister, teacher); and symbolic models (pop stars, actors, characters in books).  It believes that observational learning has four conditions: attention, retention, motor reproduction and motivation.  Learning can be the result of direct reinforcement and indirect or vicarious reinforcement.

Strengths Social learning theory takes into account the cognitive processes that are involved in learning.  Social learning theorists use both experimental and non-experimental methods of research, for example Bandura's use of the experimental and observational method when investigating gender differences in aggression.  Social learning theory has been applied to many areas of psychology and had provided effective explanations of behaviour, for example acquisition of gender roles. Weaknesses Social learning theory does not fully explain individual differences, that is to say what may be perceived to be reinforcement for one person, may not be for another.  Social learning theory does not account for all behaviour. For example, if we learn by observing others, how is it that a person becomes a criminal when she or he has not associated with criminal and/or observed criminal behaviour?  The Bobo doll experiment on which the theory is based, is highly artificial and therefore lacks ecological validity.

Cognitive Approach

Behaviour can largely be explained in terms of how the mind operates.  The mind works in a manner which is similar to a computer; imputting, storing and retrieving data.  Cognitive approach uses models to describe abstract concepts like memory. 

Strengths The cognitive approach uses rigorous scientific methods to investigate behaviour.  Has many useful applications, e.g. use of cognitive behaviour therapy in treating disorders like phobias.  Has contributed to our understanding of human phenomenon and has integrated well with other approaches. Weaknesses Can be over simplistic, ignores other complexities of human functioning compared to that of a computer.  Deterministic as it feels behaviour is determined by mental processes.  Unrealistic as evidence is mainly from lab experiments- and studies often lack ecological validity.  Ignores human emotion and freewill in humans.

Biological Approach

The biological approach believes that behaviour and thought processes have an innate, biological basis.  It believes that the mind and the brain are the same.  It states that human genes have evolved to adapt behaviour to the environment.  It believes that human characteristics, e.g. intelligence are due to genetic make-up. Biological psychologists apply the principles of biology to the study of mental processes and behaviour.  We are able to manipulate a species' genetic make-up in order to investigate the genetic basis of behaviour.  The strongest genes survive and are passed onto the next generation, whilst maladaptive genes die out.

Strengths The biological approach uses scientific, experimental procedures in its investigations.  It provides strong arguments for the nature-nurture debate.  The biological approach has had many useful applications, for example, drugs that alleviate disorders such as bipolar. Weaknesses The biological approach is reductionist. It explains all thoughts and behaviours in terms of the actions of nerves or chemicals.  The approach is over-simplistic. It fails to fully appreciate the influence that environmental factors can have on behaviour.  The approach raises ethical issues, for example, genetic mapping;. Is it right to artificially manipulate our genetic make-up?

Humanistic Approach

Psychodynamic Approach