1. Psychological Perspectives on Behavior MCGONIGLE INTRO TO PSYCH

2. BIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE Biological factors influence behavior and mental processes Nervous system, glands & hormones, DNA Right/Left sides of the brain

3. Evolutionary Perspective Charles Darwin Adaptive organisms survive & transmit genes to future generations. Deals w/ physical traits & social behavior.

4. Cognitive Perspective Perceptions and thoughts influence behavior Socrates – “Know thyself” Strategies – “our mental software” Think about discrimination/ Elliott

5. Humanistic Perspective Self awareness, experience, & choice permit us to “invent ourselves”. People are basically good & desire to be helpful to others. Based on self concept.

6. Psychoanalytic Perspective Stresses influence of unconscious forces on human behavior. Today – focus more on conscious choice & self direction. Study early childhood & unconscious

7. Learning Perspective John B. Watson- emphasizes the effects of experience on behavior. Personal experience & reinforcement guide individual development. Learning – is essential factor in behavior.

8. Sociocultural Perspective Studies the influences of ethnicity, gender and SES on behavior and mental processes. These factors create significant individual difference in the study of diverse ethnic groups.

9. Questions/ Comments/ What perspective would you prefer as a psychologist? Why? What perspectives seem similar? Why? Which ones seem most unlikely? Why? Do these perspectives help you to understand psychology?