Contemporary Perspectives How we look at psychology today

The biological Perspective Emphasizes the influence of biology on human behavior. Connections between events in the brain; such as brain cell activity, and behavior and mental processes. The use PET and CAT scans to see what parts of the brain are used during different mental processes. This perspective has shown us that different parts of the brain are used when listening to music or solve math problems. Psychologists of this perspective also look at how hormones and genes(hereditary) influence ones personality traits, psychological health and behavior patterns.

The evolutionary perspective Study the evolution of behavior and mental processes. Believe that many behavior patterns are hereditary. Believe that patterns of aggression, shyness, and other behaviors can be passed down between parents and children.

The cognitive perspective Role of thoughts on behavior Look at how people perceive information, make mental images of the world, solve problems and daydream. They study the mind. This perspective often looks at the mind like a computer. Information goes in, stored in long term memory, can be accessed to define the things we see and to solve problems…

The humanistic perspective Looks at the human capacity for self-fulfillment, consciousness, self- awareness and our capacity to make choices. Personal experiences are considered the most important part of this perspective. Humans can invent themselves. Believes people to be basically good and desiring to help other. Humanistic psychologists help people examine their feelings, manage negative impulses and realize their potential. Other perspective criticize this perspective because it is difficult to measure and not based on observable events.

The Psychoanalytic Perspective Studies the effects of unconscious forces on human behavior. Freud looked at aggressive impulses and how if not released in a timely fashion get stored up until and eventual “explosion” occurred. He looked at how physical activity could be used as a release of aggression. Today psychoanalytic psychologist focus more on how early childhood experiences lay the foundations in the development of our unconscious mind, conscious choice and self direction.

The Learning perspective Looks as how our experiences influence our behavior. Believe that behavior is learned either through direct experience of observation of others. People when behave a certain way when they expect to be rewarded for that behavior.

The sociocultural perspective Studies the influence that gender, race, culture and socioeconomic status can have on behavior. Look at these factors to understand why people act differently in different situations. Studies how norms change over time.