1. Session 3 – Unit 2 - Approaches
Lunchtime sessions
Session 3 – Unit 2 - Approaches

2. Content – Approaches – Unit 2
Wundt, introspection and the emergence of psychology as a science
Learning theory: Behaviourism and SLT, research by Pavlov, Skinner and Bandura
Cognitive approach: Mental processes, Schema theory, theoretical/computer models, inferences, emergence of cognitive neuroscience
Biological approach: evolution, genetics, biological structures, neurochemistry
Psychodynamic approach: role of the unconscious, personality – id, ego and superego, defence mechanisms inc. repression, denial and displacement
Humanistic approach: free will, self-actualisation and Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, self and congruence, conditions of worth, influence on counselling

3. Types of questions?
Any type of question can occur in this section, so expect: Multiple Choice

4. Types of questions?
Any type of question can occur in this section, so expect: Multiple Choice

5. Types of questions?
Any type of question can occur in this section, so expect: Short answer questions
Give one limitation of classical conditioning to the understanding of human behaviour (2 marks)
Outline what cognitive psychologists mean by inference (2 marks)
Outline what humanist psychologists mean by congruence (2 marks)
Briefly outline the structure of personality as suggested by the psychodynamic approach (3 marks)

6. Types of questions?
Any type of question can occur in this section, so expect: 6 mark questions Outline the emergence of cognitive neuroscience and state how it can be applied (6 marks) Outline the assumptions of behaviourism and give one strength (6 marks)

7. Types of questions?
Any type of question can occur in this section, so expect: direct questions about Pavlov, Skinner and Bandura Outline and evaluate research by Pavlov and/or Skinner (8 marks) Discuss the contribution of Bandura to our understanding of human behaviour (8 marks)

8. Types of questions?
AO1 = 3 marks and AO3 = 5 marks Outline and evaluate research by Pavlov and/or Skinner (8 marks) Discuss the contribution of Bandura to our understanding of human behaviour (8 marks)

9. Types of questions?
Any type of question can occur in this section, so expect: Scenario questions
Tatiana’s parents are concerned about her mobile phone use. She is an anxious child and has low self-esteem. Tatiana only feels good about herself when she receives messages or positive comments on social media. She feels safe when she has her phone and socially isolated without it.
Tatiana’s parents worry that her dependence on her mobile phone is starting to affect her well-being and achievement at school.
Outline and evaluate the humanistic approach. Refer to Tatiana’s behaviour in your answer. [16 marks]

10. How to approach this How many marks? How are the marks divided up?
AO1 = 6 AO2 = 4 AO3 = 6
3) Can I do all the AO1 first, then the AO2, then the AO3? I thoroughly recommend it!

11. Examiners’ report
Students should be encouraged to take time to plan their answers and construct concise and fluent essays with the appropriate use of paragraphs in order to improve coherence and focus.
It appeared that many students had prepared to write an essay on the comparison between approaches and thus struggled to give the necessary detail the question required, and struggled to link other approaches back to the question.

12. Answer AO1
Advice: you can merge the AO1 and AO2 and get a top band, but by separating the skills, you are guaranteed to answer the question!

13. Answer AO2
Four marks available here. So two points well explained for maximum marks

14. Answer AO3
Just 6 marks: so two of these in PES format will do. Link the paragraphs if possible for maximum effect

15. Types of questions?
Any type of question can occur in this section, so expect: comparison essays Outline key features of the cognitive approach in psychology. Compare the cognitive approach with the psychodynamic approach. (Total 16 marks)

16. How to approach the approaches question
AO1 marks here would just be for the cognitive approach. No credit for describing both theories! Make all your AO3 a comparison: similarities and differences. PES paragraphs that focus on only one of the approaches will not receive credit Use these concepts for discussion. Give thought to which is the best to use… Scientific nature of research Nature vs Nurture Free will vs determinism (inc. soft determinism) Reductionism vs Holism Idiographic vs nomothetic Gender bias/culture bias (these are more difficult to get right) Applications/treatments

17. Example - similarities
There are similarities between cognitive and the psychodynamic approaches. Both argue that early childhood experiences are crucial in shaping adult behaviour. Where the cognitive psychologists argue that negative treatment by adults, teachers and peers can lead to negative schemas about our world, selves and futures, the psychodynamic approach claims that the relationship a child has with its parents are key to the development of the psyche. Both approaches warn us of the damage that negative communication from others can do to the child and later adulthood. However, they differ in that the psychodynamic approach assumes that children are driven by innate drives, which the cognitive approach largely ignores.

18. Example - differences
A further difference between the two approaches is that the cognitive approach tends to use rigorous scientific methods to support their theories, for example, research by Glanzer and Cunitz, Loftus, Baddeley and others have studies memory in a highly controlled setting, whereas The psychodynamic approach tends to use case studies as support for their theories. This is troublesome for the psychodynamic approach in that the researcher’s interpretation of the individuals behaviour may well be bias towards the theory, as in the case of Little Hans supporting the Oedipus complex, whereas the laboratory experiments to support theories of memory are less open to interpretation and bias.

19. Try one yourself
The next session will be in the refectory on Wednesday 16th May