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Component 1: Psychology Past to Present - the approaches

5 dot points across 5 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How does the behaviourist approach explain all behaviour as learned through conditioning, and how does it change behaviour?

The behaviourist approach: assumptions (blank slate, classical conditioning, operant conditioning), the named therapy (aversion therapy/systematic desensitisation), application to behaviour, and evaluation. AS content.
An Eduqas A-Level Psychology answer to the behaviourist approach in Component 1. Covers the assumptions (blank slate, classical conditioning via Pavlov, operant conditioning via Skinner), aversion therapy as the named treatment, applications to behaviour, and a balanced evaluation for the Past to Present paper.
14 min answer →

How does the biological approach explain behaviour through genes, brain structure, neurochemistry and evolution, and how does it treat disorders?

The biological approach: assumptions (genes, brain structure and localisation, neurochemistry, evolution), the named therapy (drug therapy/chemotherapy), application to behaviour, and evaluation. AS content.
An Eduqas A-Level Psychology answer to the biological approach in Component 1. Covers the four assumptions (genes, brain structure and localisation, neurochemistry and evolution), drug therapy as the named treatment, applications to behaviour, and a balanced evaluation for the Past to Present paper.
14 min answer →

How does the cognitive approach explain behaviour through internal mental processes, the computer analogy and schemas?

The cognitive approach: assumptions (information processing/computer analogy, internal mental processes, schemas), the named therapy (cognitive behavioural therapy), application to behaviour, and evaluation. AS content.
An Eduqas A-Level Psychology answer to the cognitive approach in Component 1. Covers the assumptions (the computer analogy, internal mental processes and schemas), cognitive behavioural therapy as the named treatment, applications to behaviour, and a balanced evaluation for the Past to Present paper.
14 min answer →

How does positive psychology explain wellbeing through free will, the three pillars, signature strengths, flow and mindfulness?

The positive approach: assumptions (free will and the good life, focus on the positive, the three pillars, signature strengths and the role of flow), the named applications (mindfulness, building signature strengths), and evaluation. A2 content.
An Eduqas A-Level Psychology answer to the positive approach in Component 1. Covers the assumptions (free will, the good life, the three pillars and signature strengths), mindfulness and strengths-based interventions as the named applications, and a balanced evaluation for the Past to Present paper.
14 min answer →

How does the psychodynamic approach explain behaviour through the unconscious, the tripartite personality and psychosexual development?

The psychodynamic approach: assumptions (unconscious mind, tripartite personality, psychosexual stages, defence mechanisms), the named therapy (psychoanalysis/dream analysis), application to behaviour, and evaluation. A2 content.
An Eduqas A-Level Psychology answer to the psychodynamic approach in Component 1. Covers the assumptions (the unconscious, the id-ego-superego, psychosexual stages and defence mechanisms), psychoanalysis as the named treatment, applications to behaviour, and a balanced evaluation for the Past to Present paper.
14 min answer →