Principles of the Core LoA

Principles of the Bio LoA Bio Psych rejects the idea that the mind exists independently of the physical brain. All thinking has a bio basis Genes are important, but rely on interactions b/w environment & other genes – bidirectional Animal studies are good bases for considering human behavior – can’t generalize results, but they are useful – method triangulation Behavior can be innate b/c of genetic basis – logically means evolution plays a role in behavior Jamison, 2010

Principles of Cognitive LOA: 1.Mental processes guide behavior 2. The mind can be studied scientifically (by developing theories and using research) 3. Cognitive processes are influenced by social and cultural factors

Principles of the Socio-Cultural LoA Human beings are constantly influenced by other people & the requirements of society even when we believe we are acting independently – culture mediates everything Social psych is the scientific attempt to understand and explain how the thoughts, feelings, & behaviors of individuals are influenced by actual, imagined, or implied presence of other human beings Human behavior is explained by the social situation more than individual personality. Situation plays more of a role than most people believe (Fiske, 2004)

Principles of S-C cont’d 3. The importance of the social situation evolved as the most important adaptation for survival overtime within cultures 4. It follows that since we need others for survival we would develop core motives that interact with social situations to help us survive in groups - The 5 core motives are Belonging-Understanding-Controlling- Enhancing Self-Trusting or BUC(k)ET - The motives are etics but should be viewed within the context of cross-cultural research that show emics (Fiske, 2004)