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    An Eclectic Approach

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    jar_on_lennon
    The document discusses the eclectic approach in psychology. It defines eclecticism as deriving ideas from diverse sources and combining them to develop new theories. In psychology, each major perspective has its own theories but also weaknesses, so an eclectic approach aims to provide a more comprehensive explanation by considering multiple perspectives. While true eclecticism creates entirely new theories, psychology currently takes an eclectic approach by explaining behaviors using more than one perspective and developing applications based on multiple approaches. An example is combining different therapies for abnormal behaviors.

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    An Eclectic Approach

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    jar_on_lennon
    23K views23 pages
    The document discusses the eclectic approach in psychology. It defines eclecticism as deriving ideas from diverse sources and combining them to develop new theories. In psychology, each major perspective has its own theories but also weaknesses, so an eclectic approach aims to provide a more comprehensive explanation by considering multiple perspectives. While true eclecticism creates entirely new theories, psychology currently takes an eclectic approach by explaining behaviors using more than one perspective and developing applications based on multiple approaches. An example is combining different therapies for abnormal behaviors.

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    The document discusses the eclectic approach in psychology. It defines eclecticism as deriving ideas from diverse sources and combining them to develop new theories. In psychology, each major perspective has its own theories but also weaknesses, so an eclectic approach aims to provide a more comprehensive explanation by considering multiple perspectives. While true eclecticism creates entirely new theories, psychology currently takes an eclectic approach by explaining behaviors using more than one perspective and developing applications based on multiple approaches. An example is combining different therapies for abnormal behaviors.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as ppt, pdf, or txt
    23K views23 pages

    An Eclectic Approach

    Uploaded by

    jar_on_lennon
    The document discusses the eclectic approach in psychology. It defines eclecticism as deriving ideas from diverse sources and combining them to develop new theories. In psychology, each major perspective has its own theories but also weaknesses, so an eclectic approach aims to provide a more comprehensive explanation by considering multiple perspectives. While true eclecticism creates entirely new theories, psychology currently takes an eclectic approach by explaining behaviors using more than one perspective and developing applications based on multiple approaches. An example is combining different therapies for abnormal behaviors.

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    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
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    of 23

    An Eclectic Approach

    Eclectic :-
    deriving ideas (theories etc) from a broad
    & diverse range of sources.

    ‘ An eclectic thinker is one who selectively


    adopts ideas from different sources and
    combines them in the development of a
    new theory ‘ Mautner, 2000.

    1
    • In psychology the five major
    perspectives each have their own
    theories for explaining many aspects
    of human behaviour.
    • The topic of ‘Psychology of Atypical
    behaviour’ is a good example of this
    • Each theory will have its strengths
    and weaknesses.

    2
    • The weaknesses of these theories
    suggest that any one single theory
    (from one approach only) is
    inadequate in explaining human
    behaviour.
    • Trying to use an eclectic approach will
    hopefully give a more comprehensive
    explanation.

    3
    • A true eclectic approach involves
    the formation of a new theory which
    is produced from a combination of
    several other theories and which
    ultimately replaces the other
    theories.
    • As yet, psychology has not
    progressed to producing true eclectic
    theories.
    4
    • At present, in relation to psychology
    getting closer to an eclectic approach
    to understanding a particular aspect
    of human behaviour, it involves trying
    to explain the behaviour using more
    than one perspective and develop
    applications based on more than one
    approach.

    5
    • For example, in terms of therapies
    for abnormal behaviours, an attempt
    at an eclectic approach may involve
    more than a single type of
    therapy/treatment being used with
    the person, to give a more holistic
    approach.

    6
    What are the strengths and
    weaknesses of using an Eclectic
    Approach in Psychology?
    Strengths:-
    1. Does not restrict ideas to only one
    perspective.
    2. Allows new ideas to be generated.
    3. Provides a fuller understanding of
    behaviour as it considers all relevant
    factors and how they might
    combine.
    7
    Weaknesses:-
    1. May lead to confusion because there
    are too many views expressed in an
    eclectic explanation.
    2. It is difficult to judge the relative
    value of each perspective in an
    eclectic explanation.
    3. Because the different approaches
    are very different from each other
    it is difficult to combine them to
    make one new theory.

    8
    To help you to appreciate the sort of
    understanding you should have of the
    perspectives and how you should use the
    topics in psychology to illustrate your
    understanding, have a go at the following
    exercise. It involves looking at a behaviour
    that we have not studied as a topic in
    psychology and asks you to consider how
    each approach might go about it.

    Learning Objective:- You will begin to ask


    yourself these kinds of questions about
    some of the topics we have studied.
    9
    The Value of an eclectic approach
    - A group exercise
    Consider the behaviour of a man who when he approaches a pelican
    crossing and it is on green, fails to cross, but simply stands there and
    stares across the road before turning around and walking away.
    Behaviourist Psychodynamic Humanistic Cognitive Biological

    Possible questions asked


    about his behaviour

    How the questions would be


    researched

    Possible explanation of his


    behaviour

    Possible practical
    applications of the
    explanation
    Strengths of the
    explanation/ &application

    Weaknesses of the

    explanation / application

    10
    In order to prepare for this section
    in the examinations (on paper 5), you
    will need to do the following:-

    11
    o Take 2 topics that you have studied in
    psychology over the past two years

    (memory & forgetting, social cognition,


    social influence, gender, abnormal
    psychology, stress, cognitive
    development).

    The best to choose from are probably –


    abnormal psychology, stress, memory &
    forgetting, gender.

    12
    o For each topic answer the following
    questions briefly
     What does each approach have to say
    about the topic?
     What are the limitations of that
    approach’s explanation/application ?
     Are there any explanations and
    applications that involve more that one
    approach i.e. are eclectic (e.g.
    biofeedback for stress, REBT) ?

    13
    Put down your answers to these questions
    in a table or spider diagram so that you can
    see everything you have written for each
    topic on a whole page.

    But remember:-
    The questions on paper 5 are not testing
    your knowledge of the topic but the topics
    are to be used to illustrate your
    understanding of the perspectives and
    debates in psychology.
    14
    A typical exam question

    • Describe what is meant by taking an


    eclectic approach to understanding
    behaviour and discuss the value of
    using an eclectic approach to study
    psychology. In your answer refer to
    at least one topic you have studied in
    psychology.
    (12 marks)
    15
    • How to go about answering this question:

    • Highlight key terms in the question to


    make sure that you are following the
    instructions correctly.

    • e.g. Describe what is meant by taking an


    eclectic approach and discuss the value of
    using an eclectic approach to study
    psychology. In your answer refer to at
    least two topics you have studied in
    psychology.
    16
    • Decide how to structure your answer –
    draw a quick plan in pencil- spider diagrams
    are good for this (remember to cross it out
    when you have finished your essay)

    17
    • e.g. Essentially have two parts to the
    essay
    Part 1
    – Description of the term eclectic
    approach. (AO1 marks).
    – Also give an *example of a topic in
    psychology where an eclectic approach
    has been used e.g Biofeedback to
    manage stress or, explain why it is an
    example of an eclectic approach.(AO2
    marks and possibly AO1 from your
    description of biofeedback).

    18
    Part 2 Discussion of value of using an
    eclectic approach. This could involve the
    following;
    • Talk about the problem of taking a single
    approach – keep it simple by using one *example
    from psychology –Stress, abnormal behaviour,
    eating /anxiety disorders, memory & forgetting
    and briefly say what one approach has to say
    about it.(AO1 marks) Point out some of the
    limitations of this approach. Suggest what a
    different approach can tell us about the topic
    that the one you have just described doesn’t
    (AO2 marks).

    19
    • Move onto talking about the advantages of
    taking an eclectic approach – more
    comprehensive understanding – may avoid
    being *reductionist and deterministic – may
    have benefit of *scientific principles and
    research evidence – may have benefits for
    the more successful treatment of a
    disorder (you will need to choose your
    advantages according to the topic you have
    used as your example – you may also choose
    to introduce another topic, but you do not
    need to because you have referred to at
    least 2 already ) (AO2 marks)
    20
    • Conclude by stating something like

    ‘ Taking only one approach to understanding human


    behaviour will inevitably lead to a limited
    understanding of that behaviour. In the case of an
    abnormal behaviour for example, it may lead to
    insufficient treatments and therapies being given.
    If on the other hand an eclectic approach is used a
    more comprehensive understanding will be gained.
    In the case of therapies & treatments for abnormal
    behaviour, this will have obvious benefits as the
    various contributors to the disorder will be more
    likely to be tackled by a range of treatments &
    therapies rather than simply focussing on one.

    21
    • Which topics should you choose. Choose
    ones that you feel most able to write
    about. However, be sure that you can
    actually explain how an eclectic approach
    has been applied to the topics.

    22
    Some examples of an eclectic approach:-

    • Stress management - Biofeedback – biological +


    behaviourist

    • Ellis’ REBT - behaviourist + cognitive

    • Treatments for Eating disorders – behaviourist


    + cognitive + biological

    • Social learning theory – behaviourist + cognitive

    • Cognitive science – biological + cognitive


    23

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