Issues and Debates

Determinism- someones behaviour is shaped by internal or external forces, their  behaviour is set out for them, they have no choice.

Free Will- Individual have an active role in controlling their behaviour.

Nature- behaviour is determined by genes, born with it.

Nurture- behaviour is determined by their experiences.

Reductionism- breaks down complex theories into simple easy to understand theories.

Holism- opposite to reductionism.

Idiographic- Studies the individual

Nomothetic- Studies a group, so it can generalise.

Issues and Debates for Psychology

Biological Approach-

Strengths

• Scientific approach- can be proved by lab experiments
• Determinist approach- cant control what goes on inside body

Weaknesses

• Reductionist Approach- makes complex behaviours into simple ones such as stress is refered to as simply the hormone adreniline.
• Nature rather than nurture- mental illnesses have several causes rather than just biology (nature)

Behavourist Approach-

Strengths

• Scientific Approach- can analyse the results as feelings and thoughts are operated in terms of stimulus and response behavours
• Successful Applications- applied in real world, most successfully mental disorders and education. eg aversion therapy in used to cure addictions.

Weaknesses

• Nurture rather than nature- believes in shaping your behaviour rather than your born with it, ignores nature.
• Determinism- behaviour is influenced by the associations we make and world around us, our thoughts are not considered- no free will

Psychodynamic Approach-

Strengths-

• Takes into account nature and nurture- behaviour is determined by id ego and superego (nature) and our childhood experiences (nurture).
• Usefulness- highlights the fact that childhood is a critical period, freuds theories have influenced therapies used to treat mental disorders.

Weaknesses

• Reductionist Approach- simplifies complex human bahaviour into 3 simple parts, id ego and superego
• Determinist Approach- infant behaviour is determined by innate forces, adult behaviour is determined through childhood experiences, no free will.

Cognitive Approach-

Strengths-

• Mediational Processes- explains how perception and memory effect the way we respond to world around us.
• Usefulness- used to treat disorders such as depression (CBT)

Weaknesses-

• Ignores nature and nurture- role of genes (nature) is ignored, as is social and culteral factors (nurture)
• Deterministic Approach- schema's are developed from young age, everything is childhood influences later life,also acquire stereotypes.