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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.

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• 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.

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• 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.

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• 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.

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• 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.

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• 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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

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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.

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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) ?

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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.

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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)

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• 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.

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• 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)

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• 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).

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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).

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• 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)

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• 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.

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• 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.

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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