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Psychology

1 Dec 2025

228

4 pages

Overview of 4 Key Approaches in BTEC Psychology

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Lula-Jay Walker @lulajaywalker

Psychology explores human behaviour through four main approaches that explain why we think, feel, and act the way... Show more

key ass
Hon:
Behaviour is influenced
by others
Categorisat
Categorise people into
groups.
usually due to steryo
-types. May lead to
prejudic

Social Approach How Others Shape Us

Ever wondered why you change your behaviour in different groups? The social approach reveals how other people massively influence what we do, even when we don't realise it.

Conformity happens in two main ways. Informational Social Influence (ISI) occurs when you genuinely think someone else knows better, so you follow their lead. Normative Social Influence (NSI) is when you don't actually agree but go along anyway to fit in and avoid standing out.

The approach also explains social categorisation - how we automatically sort people into groups, often based on stereotypes. This mental shortcut can unfortunately lead to prejudice and unfair treatment of others.

Key Study Spotlight Asch's conformity experiments showed how people will give obviously wrong answers just to match the group - proving how powerful social pressure really is!

key ass
Hon:
Behaviour is influenced
by others
Categorisat
Categorise people into
groups.
usually due to steryo
-types. May lead to
prejudic

Cognitive Approach Your Brain as a Computer

Your brain processes information like a sophisticated computer, but sometimes it makes systematic errors that affect how you see the world. Understanding these cognitive biases helps explain why people make seemingly irrational decisions.

Fundamental Attribution Error (FAE) happens when we wrongly assume someone's behaviour reflects their personality rather than their situation. Confirmation bias makes us seek information that supports what we already believe, whilst hostile attribution bias leads us to interpret neutral actions as threatening.

The reconstructive model of memory shows that remembering isn't like replaying a video. Instead, we use schemas (mental frameworks) to rebuild memories, often shortening, confabulating, or rationalising what actually happened.

Cognitive priming explains how certain cues trigger related thoughts and behaviours through associative, semantic, or repetitive connections in memory.

Real-World Example Loftus and Palmer's car crash study proved that even subtle word changes ("smashed" vs "contacted") can alter our memories of events!

key ass
Hon:
Behaviour is influenced
by others
Categorisat
Categorise people into
groups.
usually due to steryo
-types. May lead to
prejudic

Learning Approach Environment Shapes Everything

Your behaviour isn't fixed - it's constantly shaped by environmental stimuli through different types of learning. This approach shows how we acquire new behaviours throughout our lives.

Classical conditioning creates automatic responses by pairing stimuli together. An unconditioned stimulus naturally triggers an unconditioned response, but through repeated pairing with a neutral stimulus, we develop new conditioned responses to previously meaningless triggers.

Operant conditioning uses consequences to shape behaviour. Positive reinforcement adds something pleasant, whilst negative reinforcement removes something unpleasant. Both increase behaviour, whereas punishment (positive or negative) aims to decrease it.

Social learning theory demonstrates how we learn through observation, imitation, and modelling others. Vicarious reinforcement means we learn from watching what happens to other people, not just our own experiences.

Famous Example Watson and Rayner's Little Albert experiment showed how phobias can be learned by associating neutral objects with frightening experiences!

key ass
Hon:
Behaviour is influenced
by others
Categorisat
Categorise people into
groups.
usually due to steryo
-types. May lead to
prejudic

Biological Approach Your Body's Blueprint

Your biology fundamentally influences your psychology through brain structure, chemical processes, and evolutionary heritage. This approach reveals the physical foundations of behaviour and mental processes.

Neuroanatomy maps how different brain regions control specific functions. The frontal lobe handles voluntary movement, the somatosensory area processes touch sensations, and the visual area interprets what you see (sending information to the opposite brain hemisphere).

Neurochemistry focuses on neurotransmitters - chemical messengers that allow brain cells to communicate. Serotonin stabilises mood, whilst sex hormones like oestrogen and testosterone influence everything from physical development to behaviour patterns.

Evolutionary psychology distinguishes between your genotype (inherited genes) and phenotype (how environment shapes gene expression). Natural selection has shaped psychological mechanisms that helped our ancestors survive and reproduce.

Fascinating Fact Studies show men typically have larger brain volume than women, but this doesn't determine intelligence - it's about how efficiently neural networks function!

We thought you’d never ask...

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Most popular content: Biological Bases of Behavior

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4.9/5

App Store

4.8/5

Google 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 S

iOS 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 Klich

Android 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.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

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 S

iOS 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 Klich

Android 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.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

 

Psychology

228

1 Dec 2025

4 pages

Overview of 4 Key Approaches in BTEC Psychology

user profile picture

Lula-Jay Walker

@lulajaywalker

Psychology explores human behaviour through four main approaches that explain why we think, feel, and act the way we do. Each approach offers a different lens for understanding the complex world of human psychology, from social influences to brain biology.

key ass
Hon:
Behaviour is influenced
by others
Categorisat
Categorise people into
groups.
usually due to steryo
-types. May lead to
prejudic

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Social Approach: How Others Shape Us

Ever wondered why you change your behaviour in different groups? The social approach reveals how other people massively influence what we do, even when we don't realise it.

Conformity happens in two main ways. Informational Social Influence (ISI) occurs when you genuinely think someone else knows better, so you follow their lead. Normative Social Influence (NSI) is when you don't actually agree but go along anyway to fit in and avoid standing out.

The approach also explains social categorisation - how we automatically sort people into groups, often based on stereotypes. This mental shortcut can unfortunately lead to prejudice and unfair treatment of others.

Key Study Spotlight: Asch's conformity experiments showed how people will give obviously wrong answers just to match the group - proving how powerful social pressure really is!

key ass
Hon:
Behaviour is influenced
by others
Categorisat
Categorise people into
groups.
usually due to steryo
-types. May lead to
prejudic

Sign up to see the contentIt'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 as a Computer

Your brain processes information like a sophisticated computer, but sometimes it makes systematic errors that affect how you see the world. Understanding these cognitive biases helps explain why people make seemingly irrational decisions.

Fundamental Attribution Error (FAE) happens when we wrongly assume someone's behaviour reflects their personality rather than their situation. Confirmation bias makes us seek information that supports what we already believe, whilst hostile attribution bias leads us to interpret neutral actions as threatening.

The reconstructive model of memory shows that remembering isn't like replaying a video. Instead, we use schemas (mental frameworks) to rebuild memories, often shortening, confabulating, or rationalising what actually happened.

Cognitive priming explains how certain cues trigger related thoughts and behaviours through associative, semantic, or repetitive connections in memory.

Real-World Example: Loftus and Palmer's car crash study proved that even subtle word changes ("smashed" vs "contacted") can alter our memories of events!

key ass
Hon:
Behaviour is influenced
by others
Categorisat
Categorise people into
groups.
usually due to steryo
-types. May lead to
prejudic

Sign up to see the contentIt's free!

Access to all documents

Improve your grades

Join milions of students

By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Learning Approach: Environment Shapes Everything

Your behaviour isn't fixed - it's constantly shaped by environmental stimuli through different types of learning. This approach shows how we acquire new behaviours throughout our lives.

Classical conditioning creates automatic responses by pairing stimuli together. An unconditioned stimulus naturally triggers an unconditioned response, but through repeated pairing with a neutral stimulus, we develop new conditioned responses to previously meaningless triggers.

Operant conditioning uses consequences to shape behaviour. Positive reinforcement adds something pleasant, whilst negative reinforcement removes something unpleasant. Both increase behaviour, whereas punishment (positive or negative) aims to decrease it.

Social learning theory demonstrates how we learn through observation, imitation, and modelling others. Vicarious reinforcement means we learn from watching what happens to other people, not just our own experiences.

Famous Example: Watson and Rayner's Little Albert experiment showed how phobias can be learned by associating neutral objects with frightening experiences!

key ass
Hon:
Behaviour is influenced
by others
Categorisat
Categorise people into
groups.
usually due to steryo
-types. May lead to
prejudic

Sign up to see the contentIt'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 Body's Blueprint

Your biology fundamentally influences your psychology through brain structure, chemical processes, and evolutionary heritage. This approach reveals the physical foundations of behaviour and mental processes.

Neuroanatomy maps how different brain regions control specific functions. The frontal lobe handles voluntary movement, the somatosensory area processes touch sensations, and the visual area interprets what you see (sending information to the opposite brain hemisphere).

Neurochemistry focuses on neurotransmitters - chemical messengers that allow brain cells to communicate. Serotonin stabilises mood, whilst sex hormones like oestrogen and testosterone influence everything from physical development to behaviour patterns.

Evolutionary psychology distinguishes between your genotype (inherited genes) and phenotype (how environment shapes gene expression). Natural selection has shaped psychological mechanisms that helped our ancestors survive and reproduce.

Fascinating Fact: Studies show men typically have larger brain volume than women, but this doesn't determine intelligence - it's about how efficiently neural networks function!

We thought you’d never ask...

What is the Knowunity AI companion?

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.

Where can I download the Knowunity app?

You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.

Is Knowunity really free of charge?

That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.

7

Smart Tools NEW

Transform this note into: ✓ 50+ Practice Questions ✓ Interactive Flashcards ✓ Full Mock Exam ✓ Essay Outlines

Mock Exam
Quiz
Flashcards
Essay

Most popular content: Biological Bases of Behavior

Most popular content in Psychology

Most popular content

Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.

Students love us — and so will you.

4.9/5

App Store

4.8/5

Google 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 S

iOS 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 Klich

Android 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.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user

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 S

iOS 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 Klich

Android 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.

Anna

iOS user

Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good

Thomas R

iOS user

Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.

Basil

Android user

This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.

David K

iOS user

The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!

Sudenaz Ocak

Android user

In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.

Greenlight Bonnie

Android user

very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.

Rohan U

Android user

I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.

Xander S

iOS user

THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮

Elisha

iOS user

This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now

Paul T

iOS user