7 Perspectives of Psychology Different theoretical approaches to understand and explain why people behave and think as they do
Why so many perspectives? Psychology is an INEXACT SCIENCE Technological advancements change old thinking Psychological theory often product of its times/culture Experiments change/disprove old thinking
OR Nature Nurture Biopsychology Evolutionary Psych Psychoanalytic All psychology perspectives fall within the spectrum of the nature or nurture question Nurture Nature OR interactions with and observations of our environments and people Genetics & physiology 100% Nature nature and nurture interact Nurture 100% Biopsychology Psychoanalytic Evolutionary Psych Cognitive Psych Humanism Behavioral Psych Sociocultural Psych
Perspective 1: Biopsychology (AKA Neuropsychology) 100% Nature nature and nurture interact Nurture 100% We are who we are due to biological and physiological causes and their interactions with nurture factors Biopsychology Biopsychologist study how the following cause us to behave and think as we do: Brain structures Hormones, enzymes, chemicals Genes (DNA)
Perspective 2: Evolutionary Psych 100% Nature Nature and nurture interact Nurture 100% We are who/how we are due to “survival of the fittest” interaction of our genes with our environment Evolutionary Psych
Perspective 3: Cognitive Psych 100% Nature nature and nurture interact Nurture 100% We are who we are/do what we do because we actively think about past and present and make predictions about our future as we interact with environment Cognitive Psych
Perspective 4: Humanism 100% Nature nature and nurture interact Nurture 100% Every human has a desire to achieve to his or her fullest potential; humanists look at environmental factors that are necessary to reach fullest potential and what prevents others from doing so Humanism
Perspective 5: Psychoanalytic 100% Nature nature and nurture interact Nurture 100% We are who we are/do what we do due to…bad or good childhood experiences and memories hidden in our subconscious Psychoanalytic
Perspective 6: Behavioral Psych 100% Nature nature and nurture interact Nurture 100% We are who we are/do what we do due to involuntary reactions to environmental stimuli, reinforcement of behaviors, and observing and imitating others Behavioral Psych
Perspective 7: Sociocultural Psych 100% Nature nature and nurture interact Nurture 100% We are who we are, do what we do due to…the culture in which we are raised and social expectations and norms Sociocultural Psych