This document summarizes several key approaches in psychology: cognitive, developmental, individual differences, physiological, social, behaviorist, and psychodynamic. For each approach, it outlines their underlying assumptions, strengths, weaknesses, and examples of influential studies within that perspective. The approaches differ in their level of analysis and assumptions about what influences behavior, ranging from cognitive and biological factors to environmental and social influences.

1. A2 Psychology OCR G544
Cognitive Developmental
Assumptions: Assumptions:
Information received from our senses is processed by the brain and Cognitive, emotional and behavioural development is an ongoing
that this processing directs how we behave or at least justifies how process and that such changes result from an interaction of nature
we behave the way that we do. and nurture.
Interested in how the brain inputs, stores and outputs information.
Strengths
Strengths Many of the studies are longitudinal which means that they do get to
Tends to use a scientific approach through the use of laboratory investigate changes and how these changes are influenced.
experiments Provide useful information about how we can better understand how
Useful contributions that have arisen children learn and deal with emotional difficulties and therefore
Able to provide a very sophisticated understanding of how the brain improve the lives of children.
processes information
Weaknesses
Weaknesses Tends to generalise findings from often very limited samples. Often
Can only infer what a person is thinking and therefore the approach looks for general patterns of development based on non-
relies heavily on self-report measures and observation. representative samples
Takes a narrow focus and ignores social and emotional factors which Validity of measuring children’s behaviours and thoughts. So are
may impact on cognition. psychologists measuring what they intend to measure?
Studies Studies
Loftus & Palmer Bandura et al
Baron-Cohen Samuel & Bryant
Savage-Rambaugh Freud
Ford & Widiger
Chamberlain & Zika
Gaab et al
Becker et al
Keating et al
Approaches & Research Methods Page 1

2. A2 Psychology OCR G544
Individual Differences Physiological
Assumptions: Assumptions:
To understand the complexity of human behaviour and experiences it Behaviour and experience can be explained by physiological changes
is necessary to study the differences between people rather than by investigating the brain, nervous system and other biological factors
those things we all have in common such as hormones
Strengths Strengths
Can provide useful information in improving the experiences of Uses sophisticated scientific equipment such as MRI scanners which
people with mental health problems provide an objective and precise way of measuring brain structure.
The development and use of psychometric tests to measure Practicality. Research is useful as it may be used to diagnose and
differences between individuals in qualities such personality and develop treatments for illnesses or problems
intelligence.
Weaknesses
Weaknesses Measurement of behaviour often lacks validity with the use
Reliance on dispositional explanations at the expense of situational laboratory experiments.
explanations. Explains individual differences as resulting from a Costly and time-consuming because of sophisticated equipment and
person’s own characteristics or disposition and has a tendency to lengthy procedures.
ignore external factors such as the situation a person is in.
Ethical issues. Labelling people as abnormal or different can have a Studies
negative effect on the individual. Dement & Kleitman
Maguire
Studies Sperry
Rosenhan
Kendler et al
Thigpen and Cleckley
Griffiths Pickup & Frith
Whittington et al
Approaches & Research Methods Page 2

3. A2 Psychology OCR G544
Social Behaviourist Perspective
Assumptions: Assumptions:
Behaviour is influenced by the actual, imagined or implied presence All behaviour is learned and shaped by the environment
of others
Strengths
Strengths Development of useful applications. Offers very practical ways of
Attempt to use real-life situations. changing behaviour.
Makes useful applications as it can explain and even offer solutions to Emphasis on objective and scientific ways of studying behaviour.
problems in the real world
Weaknesses
Weaknesses Ethical issues.
Ethical issues. Difficult to study social psychology without negatively Generalisation from small samples
affecting the participants in the study.
Attempt to make generalisations but sample is usually to small or Studies
limited Watson & Rayner
Bandura et al
Studies Teri et al
Milgram
Reicher & Haslam
Piliavin et al
Sinha et al
Approaches & Research Methods Page 3

4. A2 Psychology OCR G544
Psychodynamic Perspective
Assumptions:
All behaviour has a cause. All behaviour is determined
Strengths
Highlighted importance of childhood
Use of case studies gains information over a period of time
Weaknesses
Unscientific. Lacks empirical support.
Too deterministic. Rejects free-will.
Studies
Freud
Approaches & Research Methods Page 4