Psychology is all about understanding why people behave the way...
Psychology250 views·Updated 4 Sept 2026·4 pagesPsychology Approaches - A Level Summary
Timileyin Folorunso@prettypettygal
1 / 4
1
of 4
Behaviourist Approach
Ever wondered why you pick up habits from people around you? The behaviourist approach explains that all behaviour is learned from our environment through two main processes.
Classical conditioning (Pavlov's famous dogs) shows how we learn through association. Pavlov rang a bell before feeding dogs, and eventually the dogs would salivate just hearing the bell. Watson and Rayner's controversial Little Albert experiment proved this works with humans too - they made a baby afraid of white rats by pairing them with loud noises.
Operant conditioning focuses on learning through consequences. Skinner's rats learned to press levers because they got treats (positive reinforcement) or stopped getting electric shocks (negative reinforcement). This law of effect explains why we repeat behaviours that have good outcomes.
Social Learning Theory adds a crucial element - we learn by watching others. Bandura's Bobo doll experiment showed children copying aggressive behaviour they'd seen adults display. The key factors are ARMM: Attention, Retention, Motor reproduction, and Motivation. Vicarious reinforcement means we're more likely to copy behaviour when we see others being rewarded for it.
Quick Tip: Think about your own habits - most were probably learned through one of these three methods!
2
of 4
Cognitive Approach
Your brain is basically a computer that processes information, and the cognitive approach studies how this mental processing affects behaviour. Unlike behaviourists who ignore internal thoughts, cognitive psychologists focus on what happens between stimulus and response.
Schemas are mental frameworks we build from experience that help us interpret the world quickly. The clever Rat-Man study by Bugelski and Alampay showed this perfectly - people who'd seen faces interpreted an ambiguous image as a man, whilst those who'd seen rats saw it as a rat.
The approach uses theoretical models like the multistore model of memory, which breaks down how information flows from sensory memory through short-term to long-term memory. Murdock's serial position curve supports this, showing we remember words from the beginning (primacy effect) and end (recency effect) of lists better.
Cognitive neuroscience combines brain science with mental processes. Beck's negative triad explains depression through negative thoughts about self, world, and future, whilst Ellis's ABC model shows how our beliefs about events create emotional consequences.
Memory Hack: The computer analogy helps - your brain encodes (inputs), processes (thinking), and outputs (behaviour) information just like a computer!
3
of 4
Memory and Information Processing
Think of your memory as having three separate storage systems that work together like a factory production line. The multistore model revolutionised our understanding of how information moves through your mind.
Sensory memory captures everything you see, hear, or feel for just milliseconds. Only information you pay attention to moves into short-term memory, which can hold about 7 items for 15-30 seconds. Through rehearsal, some information transfers to long-term memory for permanent storage.
Computer models help us understand these complex processes by comparing your brain to computer hardware and your thoughts to software. Both humans and computers process information in stages, store data, and have limited capacity - though computers don't forget or get emotional like we do!
The breakthrough in cognitive neuroscience started with Paul Broca discovering the brain's speech centre in 1860. Modern researchers like Tulving developed the encoding specificity principle, explaining why you remember things better when you're in the same context where you learned them.
Study Smart: Use the encoding specificity principle - revise in similar conditions to your exam environment for better recall!
4
of 4
Biological Approach
Your behaviour isn't just learned - it's also hardwired into your biology through genetics, hormones, and brain chemistry. The biological approach explores how your physical body shapes who you are.
Genotype vs phenotype explains the classic nature vs nurture debate. Your genotype is your genetic blueprint, but your phenotype is how those genes actually express themselves through environmental influences. It's like having a recipe (genes) but the final dish depends on the ingredients available (environment).
The endocrine system pumps hormones around your body that dramatically affect behaviour. Adrenaline triggers your fight-or-flight response when you're stressed, whilst biochemical imbalances can cause mental health issues. Low serotonin levels link to depression, and imbalanced dopamine connects to anxiety.
Charles Darwin's evolution theory explains how natural selection shaped human behaviour over thousands of years. Behaviours that helped our ancestors survive got passed down through genes. Modern research uses brain scans and studies the effects of drug therapy like SSRIs to understand these biological influences.
Real World: Next time you feel anxious before an exam, remember that's your ancient fight-or-flight system trying to help you survive - even though you're not actually in danger!
We thought you’d never ask...
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
Similar content
Most popular content: Biological Bases of Behavior
1Most popular content in Psychology
9PsychologySocial Influence Overview
Explore key concepts in social influence, including conformity, obedience, and minority influence. This comprehensive summary covers essential studies such as Milgram's experiment, Asch's conformity tests, and the Stanford prison experiment, providing insights into the psychological mechanisms behind social behavior. Ideal for A-Level revision.
127,570322
PsychologyA Level AQA Biopsychology Content Mindmap
Biopsychology Content Mind Maps, DOES NOT CONTAIN RESEARCH OR EVALUATION
122,18250
PsychologyBiopsychology Key Concepts
Explore essential biopsychology concepts including circadian rhythms, brain structure, and neurobiology. This comprehensive summary covers the nervous system, hormonal coordination, and the impact of brain plasticity on behavior. Ideal for AQA A Level Psychology revision.
1213,014614
PsychologyAQA A Level Sociology Research Methods
Includes all research methods
122,21971
PsychologyKey Psychological Approaches
Explore essential concepts in A-Level AQA Psychology, including the Biological, Behavioural, Cognitive, Humanistic, and Psychodynamic approaches. This comprehensive summary covers key theories, evaluations, and applications, providing a solid foundation for understanding psychological principles. Ideal for exam preparation and revision.
1286510
PsychologyKey Concepts in Social Influence
Explore essential theories and experiments in social influence, including conformity, obedience, and minority influence. This summary covers key studies like Milgram's experiment, Asch's conformity tests, and the Stanford prison experiment, providing a comprehensive overview for AQA A Level psychology students.
128,625308
PsychologyOCD and Depression Insights
Explore the biological and cognitive explanations of OCD and depression, including treatment approaches like SSRIs and CBT. This comprehensive overview covers key characteristics, evaluation points, and the effectiveness of various therapies, making it essential for understanding psychopathology. Ideal for students preparing for exams in psychology.
126,265308
PsychologyComprehensive Research Methods
Explore essential research methods in psychology, including experimental designs, types of experiments, observations, interviews, and ethical considerations. This summary covers key concepts such as independent and dependent variables, validity, reliability, and statistical significance, tailored for A Level AQA Psychology students.
1214,479723
PsychologyPsychopathology
Condensed notes from textbook
125769
Most popular content
9
SociologySociology of Families: Comprehensive Revision
Dive into an extensive overview of family dynamics, perspectives, and patterns in sociology. This resource covers key concepts such as family diversity, gender roles, marriage, and the impact of social policies on family structures. Perfect for A-Level Sociology students preparing for Paper 2.
1274,1252,307
SociologySociology of Education Overview
Explore comprehensive A-Level Sociology notes on the education system, covering key theories, policies, and sociological perspectives. This resource includes insights on marketisation, gender roles, cultural deprivation, and educational inequalities, providing a thorough understanding of how education shapes social stratification and individual achievement. Ideal for exam preparation and in-depth study.
12103,2683,045
BiologyA-Level Biology Year 1 Overview
Comprehensive summary of AQA A-Level Biology Year 1, covering key topics such as cellular structure, protein synthesis, immune response, gas exchange, and more. Ideal for exam preparation and understanding biological concepts. Includes detailed insights into cellular processes, biological classification, and the circulatory system.
1215,227704
BiologyAQA Biology: Key Concepts
Explore essential AQA Biology topics including Photosynthesis, Respiration, Homeostasis, Genetics, and Ecology. This comprehensive knowledge organizer covers key concepts such as energy transfer, hormonal control, and genetic variation, providing a solid foundation for your studies. Ideal for exam preparation and understanding biological processes.
109,227316
MathsComprehensive Maths Concepts
Explore essential mathematical concepts including powers, geometry, statistics, and probability. This resource features 65 pages of detailed explanations, diagrams, and examples to enhance your understanding of topics such as right triangles, volume calculations, and data representation. Ideal for students seeking to strengthen their numeracy skills and grasp complex mathematical principles.
1180,3746,327
PhysicsPhysics paper 2 notes
physics aqa gcse paper 2 combined higher notes
111,27310
Biologybiology paper 1
all notes
112,61838
English LanguageLanguage Paper 1 Strategies
Master the AQA English Language Paper 1 with this comprehensive guide. Explore key strategies for language and structural analysis, critical evaluation, and creative writing. Learn how to effectively analyze texts, utilize literary techniques, and enhance your writing skills to excel in your exams.
1128,790902
Chemistrychem paper 1
higher
112,28746
Students love us, and so will you.
4.6/5App Store
4.7/5Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan SiOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha KlichAndroid user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
AnnaiOS user
Psychology250 views·Updated 4 Sept 2026·4 pagesPsychology Approaches - A Level Summary
Timileyin Folorunso@prettypettygal
Psychology is all about understanding why people behave the way they do, and there are four main approaches that explain this. Each approach offers a different perspective on human behaviour, from learning through observation to the role of genetics and...
1
of 4
Sign up to see the content. It's free!
- Access to all documents
- Improve your grades
- Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Behaviourist Approach
Ever wondered why you pick up habits from people around you? The behaviourist approach explains that all behaviour is learned from our environment through two main processes.
Classical conditioning (Pavlov's famous dogs) shows how we learn through association. Pavlov rang a bell before feeding dogs, and eventually the dogs would salivate just hearing the bell. Watson and Rayner's controversial Little Albert experiment proved this works with humans too - they made a baby afraid of white rats by pairing them with loud noises.
Operant conditioning focuses on learning through consequences. Skinner's rats learned to press levers because they got treats (positive reinforcement) or stopped getting electric shocks (negative reinforcement). This law of effect explains why we repeat behaviours that have good outcomes.
Social Learning Theory adds a crucial element - we learn by watching others. Bandura's Bobo doll experiment showed children copying aggressive behaviour they'd seen adults display. The key factors are ARMM: Attention, Retention, Motor reproduction, and Motivation. Vicarious reinforcement means we're more likely to copy behaviour when we see others being rewarded for it.
Quick Tip: Think about your own habits - most were probably learned through one of these three methods!
2
of 4Sign up to see the content. It's free!
- Access to all documents
- Improve your grades
- Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Cognitive Approach
Your brain is basically a computer that processes information, and the cognitive approach studies how this mental processing affects behaviour. Unlike behaviourists who ignore internal thoughts, cognitive psychologists focus on what happens between stimulus and response.
Schemas are mental frameworks we build from experience that help us interpret the world quickly. The clever Rat-Man study by Bugelski and Alampay showed this perfectly - people who'd seen faces interpreted an ambiguous image as a man, whilst those who'd seen rats saw it as a rat.
The approach uses theoretical models like the multistore model of memory, which breaks down how information flows from sensory memory through short-term to long-term memory. Murdock's serial position curve supports this, showing we remember words from the beginning (primacy effect) and end (recency effect) of lists better.
Cognitive neuroscience combines brain science with mental processes. Beck's negative triad explains depression through negative thoughts about self, world, and future, whilst Ellis's ABC model shows how our beliefs about events create emotional consequences.
Memory Hack: The computer analogy helps - your brain encodes (inputs), processes (thinking), and outputs (behaviour) information just like a computer!
3
of 4Sign up to see the content. It's free!
- Access to all documents
- Improve your grades
- Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Memory and Information Processing
Think of your memory as having three separate storage systems that work together like a factory production line. The multistore model revolutionised our understanding of how information moves through your mind.
Sensory memory captures everything you see, hear, or feel for just milliseconds. Only information you pay attention to moves into short-term memory, which can hold about 7 items for 15-30 seconds. Through rehearsal, some information transfers to long-term memory for permanent storage.
Computer models help us understand these complex processes by comparing your brain to computer hardware and your thoughts to software. Both humans and computers process information in stages, store data, and have limited capacity - though computers don't forget or get emotional like we do!
The breakthrough in cognitive neuroscience started with Paul Broca discovering the brain's speech centre in 1860. Modern researchers like Tulving developed the encoding specificity principle, explaining why you remember things better when you're in the same context where you learned them.
Study Smart: Use the encoding specificity principle - revise in similar conditions to your exam environment for better recall!
4
of 4Sign up to see the content. It's free!
- Access to all documents
- Improve your grades
- Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Biological Approach
Your behaviour isn't just learned - it's also hardwired into your biology through genetics, hormones, and brain chemistry. The biological approach explores how your physical body shapes who you are.
Genotype vs phenotype explains the classic nature vs nurture debate. Your genotype is your genetic blueprint, but your phenotype is how those genes actually express themselves through environmental influences. It's like having a recipe (genes) but the final dish depends on the ingredients available (environment).
The endocrine system pumps hormones around your body that dramatically affect behaviour. Adrenaline triggers your fight-or-flight response when you're stressed, whilst biochemical imbalances can cause mental health issues. Low serotonin levels link to depression, and imbalanced dopamine connects to anxiety.
Charles Darwin's evolution theory explains how natural selection shaped human behaviour over thousands of years. Behaviours that helped our ancestors survive got passed down through genes. Modern research uses brain scans and studies the effects of drug therapy like SSRIs to understand these biological influences.
Real World: Next time you feel anxious before an exam, remember that's your ancient fight-or-flight system trying to help you survive - even though you're not actually in danger!
We thought you’d never ask...
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
Similar content
Most popular content: Biological Bases of Behavior
1Most popular content in Psychology
9PsychologySocial Influence Overview
Explore key concepts in social influence, including conformity, obedience, and minority influence. This comprehensive summary covers essential studies such as Milgram's experiment, Asch's conformity tests, and the Stanford prison experiment, providing insights into the psychological mechanisms behind social behavior. Ideal for A-Level revision.
127,570322
PsychologyA Level AQA Biopsychology Content Mindmap
Biopsychology Content Mind Maps, DOES NOT CONTAIN RESEARCH OR EVALUATION
122,18250
PsychologyBiopsychology Key Concepts
Explore essential biopsychology concepts including circadian rhythms, brain structure, and neurobiology. This comprehensive summary covers the nervous system, hormonal coordination, and the impact of brain plasticity on behavior. Ideal for AQA A Level Psychology revision.
1213,014614
PsychologyAQA A Level Sociology Research Methods
Includes all research methods
122,21971
PsychologyKey Psychological Approaches
Explore essential concepts in A-Level AQA Psychology, including the Biological, Behavioural, Cognitive, Humanistic, and Psychodynamic approaches. This comprehensive summary covers key theories, evaluations, and applications, providing a solid foundation for understanding psychological principles. Ideal for exam preparation and revision.
1286510
PsychologyKey Concepts in Social Influence
Explore essential theories and experiments in social influence, including conformity, obedience, and minority influence. This summary covers key studies like Milgram's experiment, Asch's conformity tests, and the Stanford prison experiment, providing a comprehensive overview for AQA A Level psychology students.
128,625308
PsychologyOCD and Depression Insights
Explore the biological and cognitive explanations of OCD and depression, including treatment approaches like SSRIs and CBT. This comprehensive overview covers key characteristics, evaluation points, and the effectiveness of various therapies, making it essential for understanding psychopathology. Ideal for students preparing for exams in psychology.
126,265308
PsychologyComprehensive Research Methods
Explore essential research methods in psychology, including experimental designs, types of experiments, observations, interviews, and ethical considerations. This summary covers key concepts such as independent and dependent variables, validity, reliability, and statistical significance, tailored for A Level AQA Psychology students.
1214,479723
PsychologyPsychopathology
Condensed notes from textbook
125769
Most popular content
9SociologySociology of Families: Comprehensive Revision
Dive into an extensive overview of family dynamics, perspectives, and patterns in sociology. This resource covers key concepts such as family diversity, gender roles, marriage, and the impact of social policies on family structures. Perfect for A-Level Sociology students preparing for Paper 2.
1274,1252,307
SociologySociology of Education Overview
Explore comprehensive A-Level Sociology notes on the education system, covering key theories, policies, and sociological perspectives. This resource includes insights on marketisation, gender roles, cultural deprivation, and educational inequalities, providing a thorough understanding of how education shapes social stratification and individual achievement. Ideal for exam preparation and in-depth study.
12103,2683,045
BiologyA-Level Biology Year 1 Overview
Comprehensive summary of AQA A-Level Biology Year 1, covering key topics such as cellular structure, protein synthesis, immune response, gas exchange, and more. Ideal for exam preparation and understanding biological concepts. Includes detailed insights into cellular processes, biological classification, and the circulatory system.
1215,227704
BiologyAQA Biology: Key Concepts
Explore essential AQA Biology topics including Photosynthesis, Respiration, Homeostasis, Genetics, and Ecology. This comprehensive knowledge organizer covers key concepts such as energy transfer, hormonal control, and genetic variation, providing a solid foundation for your studies. Ideal for exam preparation and understanding biological processes.
109,227316
MathsComprehensive Maths Concepts
Explore essential mathematical concepts including powers, geometry, statistics, and probability. This resource features 65 pages of detailed explanations, diagrams, and examples to enhance your understanding of topics such as right triangles, volume calculations, and data representation. Ideal for students seeking to strengthen their numeracy skills and grasp complex mathematical principles.
1180,3746,327
PhysicsPhysics paper 2 notes
physics aqa gcse paper 2 combined higher notes
111,27310
Biologybiology paper 1
all notes
112,61838
English LanguageLanguage Paper 1 Strategies
Master the AQA English Language Paper 1 with this comprehensive guide. Explore key strategies for language and structural analysis, critical evaluation, and creative writing. Learn how to effectively analyze texts, utilize literary techniques, and enhance your writing skills to excel in your exams.
1128,790902
Chemistrychem paper 1
higher
112,28746
Students love us, and so will you.
4.6/5App Store
4.7/5Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan SiOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha KlichAndroid user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
AnnaiOS user