Approaches in

Psychology
ACPS14 | 2023
Are you ready
For my class?
 Recap
Issues and Debates
 Four approaches

Biological Cognitive Learning Social

approach approach approach approach
 Biological approach
How biology affects our psychology.

They look at the role that genetics, brain function, hormones and
neurotransmitters have on our behaviour.

Areas of interest include origins of mental disorders, treatments of mental

disorders, sleep, circadian rhythms and localisation of brain function.

Biological > Psychological

Main assumptions
Behaviour, cognitions and emotions can be
explained in terms of the working of the brain and
the effect of hormones.

Similarities and differences between people can be

understood in terms of the biological factors and
their interaction with other factors.
 Studies
1 Dement and Kleitman (sleep and dreams)

2 Hassett et al. (monkey toy preferences)

3 Hölzel et al. (mindfulness and brain scans)

 Cognitive approach
Cognitive psychologists are interested in how we process
information.

Some are believe that the brain works like a computer

following the procedure of input-process / storage-output.

Areas of interest include memory and forgetting, perception,

language and attention.
Main assumptions
Behaviour, cognitions and emotions can be
explained in terms of the role of cognitive
processes such as attention, language, thinking
and memory.

Similarities and differences between people can

be understood in terms of individual patterns of
cognition.
 Studies
1 Andrade (doodling)

2 Baron-Cohen et al (eyes test)

3 Pozzulo et al. (line-ups)

 Learning approach
Behaviourist psychologists are interested in ways in which humans and
animal learns.

There are 3 main areas within this perspective which are classical
conditioning, operant conditioning and social learning.

Areas of interest include behaviour modification, therapies for mental health

disorders, prisoners etc and development of behaviours such as aggression.

'Observe the observable'

Main assumptions
Conditioning helps to explain changes in
behaviour.

Social learning helps to explain changes in

behaviour.
 Studies
1 Bandura, Ross and Ross (aggression)

2 Fagen et al. (elephant learning)

3 Saavedra and Silverman (button phobia)

 Social approach
Social psychologists are interested in how we "work" in the
social world such as how individuals interact with each other
and how we interact in groups.

They also examine how the role of culture and society affects
our behaviour.

Areas of interest include prejudice, obedience and conformity.

Main assumptions
Behaviour, cognitions and emotions can be
influenced by other individuals.

Behaviour, cognitions and emotions can be

influenced by groups, and social contexts.
 Studies
1 Milgram (obedience)

2 Perry et al. (personal space)

3 Piliavin, Rodin and Piliavin (subway Samaritans)

 Exercise

Let's Play Kahoot

(test your understanding)
Thank You
See You Next Class