Assessment

Achievement standard: 91844

Standard title: Examine different psychological approaches used to explain a behaviour

Credits: 6

Introduction

This assessment activity requires you to examine three different psychological approaches used to explain the behaviour of addiction. You may choose what type of addiction you wish to focus on.

You are going to be assessed on how comprehensively you examine different psychological approaches used to explain a behaviour by evaluating each approach and justifying the approach that has the best explanation of the behaviour you have chosen.

Task

Part 1

1. Choose an addiction

Examples should come from the discussions you have had in class. This will make it easier for you to report/present.

2. Choose at least three approaches that are used to explain this behaviour.

Examples of psychological approaches we have looked at include:

· behavioural

· biological

· humanistic

· psychodynamic

Part 2

Complete a report (or other presentation) which examines how the three psychological approaches would explain the addiction.

Your report/presentation must:

● explain the key concepts of each approach

● comprehensively examine theories and/or studies within that approach that can be used to explain the addiction you are studying

● examine differences in how these psychological approaches explain the addiction

● evaluate the selected psychological approaches and draw a justified conclusion about which approach, in your opinion, provides the strongest explanation of addiction

● include descriptions of or references to psychological theories or studies from published works.