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Historical and Cultural
context
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Describe and evaluate the cultural
context and development, the
conceptual framework, the
methodology, and the application of the
learning model
What Historical and cultural
conditions gave rise to the
biological perspective?
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Dualism
Darwin
Cultural acceptance of scientific method
Proven effectiveness of Drug intervention
The development of genetics and scanning studies
Historical and cultural conditions
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Biological
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Dualism
Darwin
Cultural acceptance of
scientific method
Proven effectiveness of Drug
intervention
The development of genetics
and scanning studies
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Learning
reaction to subjective
study of the mind
Particularly:
Psychodynamic
perspective
emphasis on scientific
study of observable
behaviour
Contribution of the each perspective to the
scientific study of behaviour,
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Biological
localization of function in
the brain •
genetic contributions to
explanations of
behaviour, for example,
twin and adoption studies
effects of hormonal
change on behaviour,
such as melatonin and
serotonin in the sleep–
wake cycle
biological correlates of
behaviour
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Learning
experimental testing
of hypotheses
Compare the key concepts
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Biological
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endocrine system
role of genes
central nervous system
(organization and
function)
neurotransmitters
(general mode of action)
bodily rhythms such as
the sleep–wake cycle
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Learning
classical conditioning,
operant conditioning
Radical behaviorism
social learning theory
cognitive maps+latent
learning
biological preparedness
critical periods in learning
Law of effect
Compare the assumptions
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Biological
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biological factors
(such as genes and
hormones) influencing
behaviour (for
example, innate
tendency to imprint)
relative importance of
inherited disposition
relevance of animal
research
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Learning
only observable,
objective behaviour
should be studied
learning can take
place in the absence
of reinforcement
innate predisposition
to learning
Other assumption on learning
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The majority of behaviour is learned from
the environment after birth.
Psychology should investigate the laws
and products of learning.
Behaviour is determined by the
environment, since we are the total of all
our past learning experiences, freewill is
an illusion
evaluation of the assumptions of the learning
perspective
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comparison with other perspectives to
explain strengths and limitations
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empirical studies that challenge or support
Compare theoretical explanations of behavior
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Biological
use of drugs, surgical
procedures
physiological impairment,
such as strokes, brain
injuries or Alzheimer’s
disease
physiological factors
involved in emotion
influence of hormones
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Learning
classical and operant
conditioning
shaping
social learning,
modelling
learned helplessness
Compare Methods used
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Biological
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correlational studies
double-blind trials
experiments
interviews
case studies
questionnaires
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Learning
experiments
observations
case studies
Compare Methods used
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Biological
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reliability and validity
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Learning
replicability
ecological validity
Compare Methods used--ethics
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Biological
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use of human
participants for
research
use of non-human
animals for research
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Learning
use of human
participants for
research
use of non-human
animals for research
Application-Contribution
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Biological
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Education (gender
differentiated
classrooms, memory)
Work (shift patterns
and stress) or
treatment (for
example, drug
therapy for
dysfunctional
behaviours)
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Learning
Education
(programmed
learning),
work (for example,
modelling of
behaviours) or
therapy (for example,
systematic
desensitization)
Effectiveness
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Compare to what extent the biological and
learning perspectives are effective in
explaining genders and gender role
differentiation
Effectiveness
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Compare to what extent the biological and
learning perspectives are effective in
explaining genders and gender role
differentiation
Compare
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Biological
Hormonal
Story of Dr. Money
and David/Brenda
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Learning
Social learning and
modeling
Conditioning
Effectiveness
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Compare to what extent the biological and
learning perspectives are effective in
explaining aggression
Effectiveness
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Compare to what extent the biological and
learning perspectives are effective in
explaining stress
strengths
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Biological
The approach is very
scientific.
Practical applications
have been extremely
effective.
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Learning
Behaviourism was
very scientific, with
high levels of
reliability.
It has many practical
applications which
have been very
effective
weaknesses
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Biological
Reductionist - it
explains thoughts and
behaviours in terms of
the actions of neurons
and biochemicals.
This may ignore other
more suitable levels
of explanation and the
interaction of causal
factors.
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Learning
The approach is
reductionist explaining a great
deal of phenomena
using only a few
simple principles.
weaknesses
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Biological
• It has not explained
how mind and body
interact consciousness and
emotion are difficult to
study objectively.
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Learning
Heavy reliance on
animal research discounts the
qualitative difference
between humans and
non-human animals.
weaknesses
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Biological
Biopsychological
theories often oversimplify the huge
complexity of physical
systems and their
interaction with the
environment
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Learning
• Ignores important
mental processes
involved in learning.
Highly deterministic.
Questionable
ecological validity
Writing an essay
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A good psychology essay does these things:
• It answers the question
– It uses terms from the question
• It includes a detailed description with studies and/or
theories
• It includes an evaluation of studies and/or theories
• It includes evaluation linked to the question
– It “pokes holes” in the question
– It shows depth of understanding
Writing an essay
 Evaluate
theories and
empirical studies within the
cognitive perspective.
Writing an essay
 Evaluate
theories and
empirical studies within the
learning perspective.
Evaluate

This command term asks you to make an
appraisal of the argument or concept
under investigation or discussion. You
should weigh the nature of the evidence
available, and identify and discuss the
convincing aspects of the argument, as
well as its limitations and implications.
Writing an essay
 Evaluate
theories and
empirical studies within the
learning perspective.
Theories: Learning
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classical conditioning,
operant conditioning
observational learning
cognitive maps
biological
preparedness
critical periods in
learning
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classical and operant
conditioning
shaping
social learning,
modelling
learned helplessness
Writing an essay
 Evaluate
theories and
empirical studies within the
learning perspective.
Experiments: Learning
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Social learning
Pavlov
Skinner
Tolman
Watson
Writing an essay
 Evaluate
theories and
empirical studies within the
learning perspective.
Strengths/weakness
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The approach is
reductionist Heavy reliance on
animal research Ignores important
mental processes
involved in learning.
Highly deterministic.
Questionable
ecological validity
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Behaviourism was
very scientific, with
high levels of
reliability.
It has many practical
applications which
have been very
effective.•