Psychology is all about understanding why people behave the way...
Psychology250 views·Updated 9 Aug 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!
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Psychology250 views·Updated 9 Aug 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...
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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
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- Improve your grades
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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.
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Explore the cognitive and biological approaches in psychology, focusing on their key concepts, methodologies, and evaluations. This summary covers internal mental processes, schemas, cognitive neuroscience, and the biological basis of behavior, including genetic influences and neurochemistry. Ideal for students preparing for exams or seeking a comprehensive understanding of psychological approaches.
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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.
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Students love us — and so will you.
4.6/5App Store
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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