The behaviourist approach assumes that behaviour is a byproduct of environmental stimuli, such as family or the media, and supports that human reactions can be predicted through classical and operant conditioning (class notes, 2016). Classical conditioning is utilised in experiments that involve producing a new behaviour by linking together two stimuli, whereas operant conditioning is the process in which a new behaviour is learned through the consequences of people’s actions (McLeod, 2016). Along with classical and operant conditioning, this approach supports the “Social Learning Theory”, which refers to learning through observation, imitation and modeling (class notes, 2016). The approach also upholds the idea that humans are born “tabula
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Cognitive psychology utilises computer metaphors to explain human mental processes, and provides a model in order to investigate and predict human mental functions (Pennington et al., 2003). These cognitive models attempt to explain the interior human information process (McLeod, 2015) and can be separated in 3 different interlinking areas that investigate and develop theories. Included in this list is human experimental psychology which investigates and develops theories about memory, attention, problem solving and language (Pennington et al., 2003). Secondly, the use of computer analogies in terms of artificial intelligence and computer simulation is used as a tool to explain how human minds handle information, and treats gathering and storing information for humans as a computer function. For example, it suggests that humans, just like computers, gather information, store information, use information, and produce an output (McLeod, 2015). Lastly, cognitive neuroscience looks at how damage to the brain affects cognitive processes, and focuses on the biological substrates of mental processes and their behavioural consequences (Pennington et al., 2003). This approach has been praised for being highly scientific and applicable to therapies, as well as combinable with any other existing approach. On the other hand, its experiments have a low ecological validity, and the approach itself rejects the scientific method. Moreover, it tends to ignore biology and doesn’t objectively study unobservable behaviour (McLeod,
Cognitive psychology utilises computer metaphors to explain human mental processes, and provides a model in order to investigate and predict human mental functions (Pennington et al., 2003). These cognitive models attempt to explain the interior human information process (McLeod, 2015) and can be separated in 3 different interlinking areas that investigate and develop theories. Included in this list is human experimental psychology which investigates and develops theories about memory, attention, problem solving and language (Pennington et al., 2003). Secondly, the use of computer analogies in terms of artificial intelligence and computer simulation is used as a tool to explain how human minds handle information, and treats gathering and storing information for humans as a computer function. For example, it suggests that humans, just like computers, gather information, store information, use information, and produce an output (McLeod, 2015). Lastly, cognitive neuroscience looks at how damage to the brain affects cognitive processes, and focuses on the biological substrates of mental processes and their behavioural consequences (Pennington et al., 2003). This approach has been praised for being highly scientific and applicable to therapies, as well as combinable with any other existing approach. On the other hand, its experiments have a low ecological validity, and the approach itself rejects the scientific method. Moreover, it tends to ignore biology and doesn’t objectively study unobservable behaviour (McLeod,