1. “The Big 7” Contemporary Psychological Perspectives
Most common ways psychologists view behavior
Emphasize different influences that shape behavior
Focus on different topics to further investigate the differing interpretations of psychology

2. Learning/Behavioral Perspective
Subject matter/forces that influence
Environmental
Learning
Observational Learning
Major belief
Personal experience and reinforcement guide individual development
What you do, not what you know
You recognize when circumstances call for certain behavior

3. Psychoanalytic Perspective
Subject matter/forces that influence
Unconscious processes
Early childhood experiences
Observational learning
Major belief
Unconscious motives influence behavior
Sexual and aggressive impulses

4. Cognitive Perspective
Subject matter/forces that influence
Interpretation of mental images
Thinking
Language
Values, perceptions, and choices
Major belief
Perceptions and thoughts influence behavior
Computer analogy

5. Biological Perspective
Subject matter/forces that influence
Nervous system
Glands and hormones
Genetic factors
Major belief
Biological processes influence behavior and mental processes.

6. Evolutionary Perspective
Subject matter/forces that influence
Physical traits/ Inherited tendencies
Social behavior
Major belief
Adaptive organisms survive and transmit their genes to future generations
Evolution of behavior and mental processes
Inherited tendencies influence people

7. Humanistic Perspective
Subject matter/forces that influence
Self concept/self fulfillment
Major belief
People make free and conscious choices based on their unique experiences
Importance of self-fulfillment, consciousness, self-awareness, and choices
We “invent” ourselves

8. Sociocultural Perspective
Subject matter/forces that influence
Ethnicity
Gender (cultural expectations & social roles)
Culture
Socioeconomic status
Major belief
Sociocultural, biological, and psychological factors create individual differences

9. Big 7 Review Perspectives (match letter to following statements)
A-Learning/Behavioral
B-Psychoanalytic
C-Cognitive
D-Biological
E-Evolutionary
F-Humanistic
G-Sociocultural

10. Big 7 Review Statements
1. Jamal is 13 and very moody. His parents think it is because of his raging hormones.
2. Melissa didn’t talk to anyone Friday night because she thought that everyone hated her.
3. Jose hits all the girls in class because he unconsciously loves them all.

11. 4. Chris is unable to get good grades because he is having problems at home.
5. William usually avoids everyone from the suburbs.
6. Diana gets $5 each week for cleaning her room. Diana loves cleaning.
7. Basha is very outgoing like her mother and brother.

12. Answers 1-D Biological 2-C Cognitive 3-B Psychoanalytic 4-F Humanistic
5-G Sociocultural
6-A Behavioral
7-E Evolutionary