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PYA5 approaches

ok the approaches question has me really confused can anyone explain it or have example answers?

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There are 4 parts.

First you have to apply an approach to the behaviour in the question.

Say for example the behaviour is hoarding, then you can explain this using certain approaches.

You can use two things from one approach e.g. under behavioural: social learning theory, and classical conditioning (make sure to do sub headings to make it clear for the examiner)

or two different approaches e.g. behavioural and biological.

Then you have to explain the strength of one of the approaches in terms of the behaviour it has explained

then you have to think of conducting a study using one approach

then say strengths and weaknesses...

Reply 2

spikez

I reckon everyone should contribute to make a standard answer, which can basically relate to any question so all we have to do in the exam is link it to the topic.
also we can plan some questions like "explain why people like using social networking sites such as facebook" or something.
Just a suggestion..

Reply 3

angelicgemini

I can do provide you some, I can do that for behavioural and evolutionary, also psychodynamic and biological.

Reply 4

EEmperor

So say, could you say: Hoarding could be caused by:
Freud's theory of psychosexual development, more specifically fixation in the anal stage
and
Social Learning theory?

Reply 5

angelicgemini

Evolutionary is a good one for Hoarding, you can practically use Evolutionary, behavioural and psychodynamic for mostly any situation.

Reply 6

sazybel

angelicgemini

I can do provide you some, I can do that for behavioural and evolutionary, also psychodynamic and biological.

if you can that would be amazingly helpful :smile:

Reply 7

d.b.asf

Here is an approaches essay on the biological and behavioural approaches, it is an A grade. Hope it helps!

I think the most important thing is always make sure everything you're writing links back to the stimulus or you can't get marked for it.

PYA5 approaches.doc34.8KB

Reply 8

angelicgemini

Describe how the desire (example) might be explained by the behavioural approach.

According to BF Skinner, a radical behaviourist, all behaviour is learned. Therefore, (example) have learned to do so. One way in which behaviour can be learned is through operant conditioning where the behaviour is rewarded and so reinforced. In this way (example) because they are rewarded by the attention they get from people. This attention could be in the form of compliments or pats on the back! Behaviour can also be learned through classical conditioning, where the behaviour is associated with an unconditioned stimulus. Therefore, people who take part in (example) may associate this with the (reward example) they experience. ((reward example) is the unconditioned stimulus, as you do not have to learn to like it.) An alternative way of learning behaviour is by fixed interval conditioning where you get a regular reward. However, this is only a moderate reinforcer because as you get more used to the reward, it gradually means less and less. In this instance if you regularly take part in a (example), it is unlikely that you will continue to do so over a long period of time as each time you get the reward (reward-example) the effect is less, and so the urge to take part in these (example) is less strongly reinforced. Furthermore, behaviourists believe that if the unconditioned stimulus is removed then the behaviour will cease to occur. This is known as behaviour extinction. Thus, if the (reward-example) is removed the people will stop (example).

Assess the behavioural explanation (Example) in strengths and limitations 6 marks

A strength of a behaviourist explanation for the need to be (example) is that it is falsifiable. By manipulating the consequences of a person’s (example) behaviour, for example, it should be possible to alter the future probability of it occurring, thus demonstrating empirically the contingent relationship between (example) behaviour and reinforcement. This explanation is also supported by considerable research evidence showing that rewards (the praise and adulation of others towards (example) person) are an important determinant of human behaviour.
A limitation of this explanation is that it is at best a partial account of the acquisition of (example) behaviour. As such, behaviourist explanations are reductionist, in that they prevent psychologists investigating the potential role played by other factors, such as the emotions, consciousness, brain and hormones, etc. Many (example) people persevere with their work despite the lack of appreciation from others. Operant conditioning theory would claim that such lack of reward should decrease (example) behaviour in such situations, but clearly does not.

How might the desire to be (example) be investigated by the behavioural approach

A laboratory experiment could be conducted with the aim of investigating whether vicariously observing positive reinforcement from others (IV) increases the likelihood that individuals will be influenced by that role model. The experimental hypothesis would be that children who see a person being rewarded for their (example) behaviour display a higher desire to be like that person than those who see a more neutral reaction to the same behaviour. Using a matched participants design, male children could be allocated to one of two groups, matched for age and personality. They would have to be shown one of two specially prepared films. In one conditions, an adult male would be shown demonstrating (example) behaviour (e.g. give examples) and receiving praise from those around him/her. In the other condition, the same person’s (example) behaviour would be followed by a more neutral reaction from those around him. The DV is operationalised as the rating (on a scale of 1-10) of how much they like to be like the person on the film.

Evaluate the use of this method of investigating the desire to be (example)

The method would allow researchers to investigate the causes of people’s desire to be (example), particularly as variables that might confound the relationship (such as age and personality) can be controlled through matching. By using the same model and behaviour in each condition, the possibility of extraneous variables in the characteristics or behaviour of the model can be eliminated. This would also mean that the study could be more accurately replicated. A limitation of this method is that by operationalising variables into simple measurable events, it reduces the meaningfulness of this research. This may only demonstrate on aspect of people’s desire to be (example). For example, it only demonstrates that people are drawn to behaviour that is reinforced rather than being attracted (example) behaviour itself. However, by reducing a complex motivation (the desire to be (example)) down to simple testable relationship (i.e. the relationship between reinforcement and (example) behaviour), it is possible to demonstrate the underlying mechanisms for that behaviour.

Describe how the desire (example) might be explained by the psychodynamic approach.

The psychodynamic approach proposes that the cause of all behaviour is unconscious processes and early experience. (example is due to conflicts within the conscious and unconscious). Psychic energy is built up in the Id which is part of the subconscious. These conflicts are often between the Id (Pleasure Principle) and the Ego (Reality Principle). (Behaviour) is due to the Id overpowering the Ego. The strength of the Id may be due to a childhood trauma in a psychosexual stage. (Behaviour) is due to a childhood trauma in the oral/anal/phallic stage causing…. E.g. (Behaviour) is due to a childhood trauma in the phallic stage causing the person to want to extend their penis by doing this behaviour – make them more of a man. In a person’s ordinary life, there is a build up of psychic energy that is not released in dreams (Behaviour) allows person to partially release psychic energy. Some behaviour is also a result of regression/transference/etc, acting as a coping mechanism E.g. (Behaviour) is a result of the transference of anxiety from a childhood trauma.

Assess the psychodynamic explanation of the desire to be (example) in terms of its strengths
and limitations

A strength of the psychoanalytic explanation of the desire to be (example) is that it recognises the importance of unconscious factors. The underlying reasons for a person’s drive to be (example) may be far more complex than is claimed by the behavioural approach. A number of the concepts in this explanation, such as the importance of ego defence mechanism in the development of behaviour, are supported by the research studies (e.g. Williams study of repression). This gives more credibility to the claim that the dynamics of (example) behaviours are essentially unconscious.
Limitations of this explanation include the fact that it is difficult to falsify. It is difficult to generate testable hypotheses that could demonstrate the relationship between the desire to be (example) and unconscious factors such as fixation or identification with the same-sex parent. This explanation is also reductionist in that it reduces a culturally valued behaviour (example) to aspects of development such as fixation in the anal stage, ignores all other possible explanations such as (give examples).

How might the desire to be (example) be investigated by the psychodynamic approach.

In order to study the underlying reasons for a person’s desire to be (example, the research team might employ a psychoanalyst to conduct case studies of certain people. The psychoanalyst would interview (example) individuals and collect detailed information, including their personal history, family background and education. During the process of psychoanalysis, the analyst might also use free association where the person expresses the thoughts exactly as they occur. In psychoanalysis, the analyst attempts to discover whether the initial event or emotion that gave rise to the person’s desire to (example) (e.g. the need to avoid punishment from a (example) yet domineering father) has repressed into the unconscious. Through methods such as free association and dream interpretation, the analyst attempts to make the unconscious conscious and thus gain insight into the underlying reasons for the individual’s (example). The psychoanalyst seeks to understand the latent content of the dream by examining its manifest content.

Evaluate the use of this method of investigating the desire to be (example)

Although free association has been used extensively in psychoanalytic case studies, analysts often find that some memories are completely repressed, and essentially not accessible to the conscious mind. This means that the true reasons for a person’s desire for (example) may not be discovered during psychoanalysis, and that the individual may instead accept a subjective interpretation from the analyst that is not the real reason for the behaviour. An additional problem with the use of the case study method in this context is that it involves a single; unique problem with the use of the case study method in this context is that it involves a single, unique case (i.e. they are idiographic) rather than explaining why people in general desire to be (example). As such they may be considered unreliable in this context. The value of this method also depends on the accuracy of the individual’s own memory and the accuracy of the analyst’s interpretations. However, case studies do have their value, as several collected together enables a researcher to extract common themes and experiences that would allow them to generalise their explanation to other (example) individuals.

Describe how the desire (example) might be explained by the evolutionary approach.

According to the Evolutionary Approach, all behaviour is adaptive. So (this behaviour) is adaptive. In the EEA people with the most desirable traits survived and their genes were passed down through the generations to the present day. So (this behaviour) must have been adaptive and has survived through the generations. This precise behaviour did not itself exist in the EEA, but behaviour similar to it may have existed. (This present day behaviour) can be traced back to (EEA behaviour) (elaborate). People who possessed this characteristic/showed this behaviour in the EEA were seen as attractive and desirable, and it enabled them to reproduce and pass on their genes. In addition, they were more likely to be able to find food and provide for the rest of the group (example). The modern behaviour of (present day behaviour) is still adaptive/not adaptive today because... .

Assess the evolutionary explanation of the desire to be (example) in terms of its strengths and limitations

A strength of this explanation of (example) is that it fits our understanding of how genes predispose us to particular behaviours, in this case how something that would have had adaptive significance in the EEA (i.e. attracting females through (example)) has become more widespread in the gene pool. Such explanations have the advantage of showing how behaviours that appear nowadays (examples of example) can be explained in terms of the mate selection pressures that were operating in the time of our ancestors (i.e. its ultimate function). A problem with evolutionary explanations such as this is that they are inevitably reductionist, stressing the role of inherited factors rather than any more contemporary factors (such as (reward examples), etc). Such explanations also be criticised for being determinist, in that they remove the possibility of free will. People may choose to (example) despite the social isolation of their work.

How might the desire to be (example) be investigated by the evolutionary approach.

It would be possible to test this explanation by doing an experiment. The hypothesis would be that (directional hypothesis). You could test this by taking photographs of men and use a repeated measures design. Each photograph would be accompanied by a short description of the man, giving an indication of his education, resources and occupation. The IV is (example). The description of half of the men would include an occupation consistent with (example) (give examples) and the other half (give other examples) would be given to more neutral occupations (give examples). Education and resources would be varied equally across the two conditions (example and non-example). Female participants would be found using an opportunity sample and asked to rate the photographs (on a ten point scale) in terms of their potential as long-term partners. This would be the operationalised dependent variable. Finally the ratings given to those photographs in the (example) could be compared with photographs in the non-example conditions in terms of rating.

Evaluate the use of this method of investigating the desire to be (example)

The use of this method can test the evolutionary explanation that women will rate (example) men as more attractive with a reasonable amount of control over other variables that might influence women’s decisions in choosing potential partners. For example, the photographs across the two conditions can be matched in terms of variables that have been shown to affect female choice (e.g. education and resources). A problem with this method is that it assumes that women are able to make an effective choice from photographs alone (an artificial form of partner choice) and that selections are not actually being made on the basis of other variables such as (facial symmetry or feminine features) that have been shown to influence mate choice. The experiment requires the women to make their decision on the basis of long-term partner choice, whereas sexual selection theory might expect women to make their choice based on short-term partner choice as this is more likely to result in offspring that possess the desirable (example) traits.

Describe how the desire (example) might be explained by the biological approach

The biological approach would assess the physiological effects of (example). (example) may give (example people) physiological arousal which would create a sense of (example emotion). (example) may cause the hypothalamus to prompt the release of adrenaline, which raises the heartbeat, giving an energised feeling that he/she/it perhaps likes. As he/she/it likes this feeling, he/it/she is more likely to repeat it. (example people) love for (example), maybe an increase chance for meeting new people suggests that he/she/it is an extrovert, which can be explained biologically. Social, outgoing, lively people have strong nervous systems; inhibition builds up quickly and strongly and it dissipates only slowly with the effect of reducing the intensity of any sensory stimulation reaching the cortex. (example people) would have an ANS that reacts weakly to stressful situations (such as a (example place)) so he/it/she does not exhibit fear, but in fact enjoys it.

Assess the biological explanation of the desire to be (example) in terms of its strengths and limitations

The biological approach considers psychological functioning when explaining behaviour, and therefore has high scientific validity. This means that behaviours are tested scientifically, and so if (example) was examined, cause and effect could be inferred (that physiological arousal causes the repetition of a pleasurable experience). Biological explanations also have many useful practical applications, such as drug therapies to treat mental disorders, therefore providing the explanation with some validity. It is also advantageous in that physiological processes must play a part in behaviour and therefore behaviour associated with (example), as we are all biological machines. Also this study of evolutionary processes (the genetic basis for (example)) places human behaviour in an important environmental and historical context. However, the biological approach does fail to consider the experiential aspect of behaviour as it ignores past environmental experiences that may have influences the behaviour and be a possible contributor to the development of (example). The approach also operated from a deterministic perspective, not placing any emphasis on the free will or personal responsibility of someone with (example). It is also reductionist, as it cannot adequately explain motivations behind or the complex behaviours of (example sufferer), as it fails to explain the interactions between mind and body. The biological approach is also over simplistic in the explanation of complex physical processes, only providing a description of behaviour associated with (example), not an explanation.

How might the desire to be (example) be investigated by the biological approach.

The biological approach would use the experimental method to explain why groups of people like to (example). This could involve measuring the physiological output of participants in different situations. On could be in a control setting, such as the (example place), another involving high stimulation, such as (example and other examples) It can then be inferred which aspect of the (exampling) experiences leads to the most heightened physiological response. High levels of arousal when (example), (hormone levels (adrenaline, noradrenaline, serotonin and dopamine) indicates that (example) is the source of (excitement/anxiety/depression)- if socialising causes high levels of (insert emotion), then that would explain her love for (give other example). This could be supported further by assessing her nervous system- if fight or flight responses (e.g. galvanic skin reponses) are low after (example), it can be inferred that she is not nervous and therefore has a strong nervous system and is an extrovert. Extroverts seek excitement and being active; (example) could be a means of achieving this. The independent variable is the setting, and the dependent variable is physiological responses.

Evaluate the use of this method of investigating the desire to be (example)

This study is experimental, which means a high control of variables, which means that it has high scientific validity. A control of the independent variable (example) means that cause and effect can be inferred (such as (example) cause high levels of excitation/ relief of stress/ anxiety). However, the settings may not be representative of real life, as it would be difficult to obtain physiological data in a (example setting). The social setting performed may be stages, and therefore may not be representative. This means it would lack ecological validity and so cannot safely be generalised to everyday behaviour. Another weakness is that it ignores all psychological functioning, such as cognitions. This study only measures physiological responses to situations, rather than asking the participants for any thoughts of feelings about the situation. Extroversion may be a result of nurture, rather than nature, for example being sociable due to a parent, or multiple siblings. A humanistic approach would argue that people should be studied on an idiographic level (attitudes, hopes, beliefs, experiences), which the biological approach fails to do. It is therefore reductionist in both its theory and methodology.

Reply 9

g_star_raw_1989

One of the teachers at college who's an examiner on this unit said you should only use psychodynamic if the scenario indicates "crazy" or "mad" behavior really.

Reply 10

sazybel

wow that's amazing thank you so much

Reply 11

d.b.asf

g_star_raw_1989

One of the teachers at college who's an examiner on this unit said you should only use psychodynamic if the scenario indicates "crazy" or "mad" behavior really.

Yeah psychodynamic is such a pain i'm not even bothering with it, you can pretty much use behavioural for anything and either biological or cognitive will work too.

Reply 12

g_star_raw_1989

d.b.asf

Yeah psychodynamic is such a pain i'm not even bothering with it, you can pretty much use behavioural for anything and either biological or cognitive will work too.

I'll learn behavioural, cognitive and evoloutinary and will brush over psychodynamic.
Theres no point going over more than 2/3 at max because you only ever need to know 2 and you have a choice of scenarios.

Reply 13

d.b.asf

g_star_raw_1989

That's what I was thinking apart from I'll do boichemical rather than evolutionary.

Reply 14

roop1

not to sound pessimistic or anything...but...what if they choose to specify which approaches you have to use this year...they've done it before. are u guys just learning stengths/weaknesses of each approach? or a select few?

Reply 15

sazybel

i'm going to learn 3 and 2 in detail

Reply 16

lazywoman

im planning to cover three behav, psychod and evolu. but i dont know nothing for the evol one! can anyone help

Reply 17

angelicgemini

Well, they won't specify, you get to choose which ones you want to use. So don't worry, I only specified because it makes my life easier to know what each approach is really.

Reply 18

roop1

lazywoman

im planning to cover three behav, psychod and evolu. but i dont know nothing for the evol one! can anyone help

just remember:
darwin's evolutionary theory - survival of the fittest and natural selection
reproduction ensures continuation of genes
females = selectors, males = competitors
kin selection - tendency to help those who share our genes
environment of evolutionary adaptation (EEA), our brains have adapted to cope with our environ because our ancestors adapted successfully

so, e.g. if u get an approaches question about why men/boys fight
the evolutionary approach says males fight/compete for women, show they are stronger etc. they want to pass on their genes and share genes that females have or reproduce with those females that ultimately show reproductive success.

strengths:
not competely reductionist - considers function of behaviour
accounts for genes and behaviour - understands how genes influence behaviour

weaknesses:
determinist - no free will
ignores cultural influence

Reply 19

lazywoman

roop1 thank you sooo much. that really helped XD!