Seven Approaches/Perspectives Psychoanalytic Cognitivist/Cognitive Humanistic Neuroscience/Biological Behavioral/Learning Socio-Cultural Evolutionary

Psychoanalysis  Focuses on unconscious processes and early childhood experiences  Unconscious motives and conflicts  Sigmund Freud  Sexual and aggressive impulses – largely discredited

Cognitivist/Cognitive  Role of thoughts and perception in determining behavior sarcasm  Rooted in Socrates “Know Thyself”  Interpretation of mental images, thinking, and language  Memory – filing system

Humanistic  Self-concept  People make free and conscious choices based on unique experiences  Humans have the capacity for self- fulfillment

Biological  Brain (nervous system), genes (genetic factors), hormones determine behavior  Biological processes influence behavior and mental processes  “just give her a sandwich”

Behavioral (Learning)  Effects of personal experience and reinforcement (or punishment) determine behavior  Environmental influences, learning, observational learning (see someone else do something and learn from their consequences) Twin infants walking Fun theory stairs

Fun theory  staircase staircase  How does the behavior change?

Socio-Cultural  Influence of ethnicity, gender, culture, and socioeconomic status (income levels)  Ethnicity (culture, race, language, common history)

Evolutionary  Evolution of behavior and mental processes  Survival of the fittest/natural selection – traits/behavior that are useful are passed on  Hereditary basis – adaptive organisms survive and transmit genes to next generation