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Psychology Revision Guides
A-Level Revise Aid: This resource is designed to support your revision and may contain errors. If you find a discrepancy with your class teaching, your teacher is correct -- please let us know at alevelrevise@scott.scottrix.co.uk.

Approaches and Perspectives

Year 1 / ASYear 2 / A-Level All Boards (AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC, CCEA) AQA

A-Level Psychology revision: Approaches and Perspectives. Learning objectives, key points, worked examples and practice questions across AQA, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC and CCEA.

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📌 Key Points

Key Fact: Biological: genes, neurotransmitters (dopamine, serotonin), brain localisation, evolution, twin/adoption studies
Key Fact: Cognitive: schema, mental models, computer analogy, cognitive neuroscience (fMRI, PET)
Key Fact: Behaviourist: Pavlov (classical: NS->CS), Skinner (operant: reinforcement/punishment), Bandura (SLT: observation, modelling)
Key Fact: Psychodynamic: Freud (id/ego/superego, psychosexual stages, defence mechanisms), unconscious motivation
Key Fact: Humanistic: Maslow (hierarchy), Rogers (self-concept, congruence, unconditional positive regard), free will
Key Fact: Debates: Nature vs nurture, determinism vs free will, reductionism vs holism, nomothetic vs idiographic

🎯 Learning Objectives

  • Compare and evaluate the major psychological approaches: biological, cognitive, behaviourist, psychodynamic, humanistic
  • Understand the biological approach: genetics, neurochemistry, brain structure, evolution
  • Evaluate the cognitive approach: schema, information processing, cognitive neuroscience
  • Analyse behaviourism: classical conditioning, operant conditioning, social learning theory
  • Understand the psychodynamic approach: unconscious, psychosexual stages, defence mechanisms
  • Evaluate the humanistic approach: self-actualisation, free will, congruence, conditions of worth

💡 Worked Example

Exam-Style Question

Question: Explain how the biological and cognitive approaches differ in explaining depression

Model Answer:

Biological: genetic predisposition, serotonin/noradrenaline deficit, hippocampal atrophy -> treatment: SSRIs, ECT. Cognitive: Beck's negative triad (self, world, future), cognitive distortions, schema -> treatment: CBT (challenge thoughts). Biological = reductionist, medical; Cognitive = mental processes, empowerment

❓ Practice Questions

Questions:

  • Compare SLT vs operant conditioning
  • Evaluate twin studies for nature/nurture
  • Explain Freud's defence mechanisms with examples
  • Apply Maslow to workplace motivation
  • Evaluate cognitive neuroscience as reductionist

🎬 Video Resources

📄 Past Papers & Exam Resources

🔗 Further Reading & Resources