Comparison - Humanistic vs Psychodynamic

A complete AQA A-Level Psychology lesson focused on comparing the humanistic approach with the psychodynamic approach, with a particular focus on 8-mark comparison questions and the free will vs determinism debate.

This lesson supports students in developing detailed, exam-focused comparison points between the two approaches. It includes a clear focus on AO1 knowledge and AO3 comparison/evaluation, helping students move beyond basic similarities and differences into developed exam paragraphs.

The lesson includes:

• A 10-question multiple-choice recap quiz covering key AO1 knowledge for the humanistic and psychodynamic approaches.
• Explicit teaching of how to compare the two approaches in an 8-mark comparison question.
• A detailed model paragraph comparing the approaches in terms of scientific credibility, including reference to abstract concepts, testability, falsifiability and empirical evidence.
• A structured task on the free will vs determinism debate, helping students explain how the humanistic approach supports free will, while the psychodynamic approach supports psychic determinism.
• Sentence starters and writing scaffolds to support students in building a developed comparison paragraph.
• Clear links to key concepts including self-actualisation, congruence, conditions of worth, the unconscious mind, childhood experiences, id, ego, superego and defence mechanisms.

This resource is ideal for Year 12 or Year 13 students studying the AQA Psychology Approaches topic. It can be used as a full lesson, revision session, exam preparation activity, or intervention lesson for students who need support with comparison and evaluation skills.

Designed to be clear, structured and accessible, this lesson helps students understand not just what the two approaches say, but how to compare them effectively in exam-style writing.