Transcript Modern Perspectives in Psychology

Modern Perspectives in
Psychology
Pages 15 to 19
Why is are these perspectives
important?
• We can understand different ways of
viewing behavior and thought processes.
• We can find one or two perspectives that we
identify with the most.
• We can identify and apply these
perspectives to real life situations
Task
• Read pages 15 to 19 in your textbook.
• After reading about the perspectives you are
to create 3 to 4 questions a psychologist of
each perspective would ask about human
behavior and thought processes.
Biological-behavior viewed in terms of biological
responses
• What role does heredity play?
• Is the behavior a result of an effect on the
brain; a result of physical malfunction?
• Are there changes in the brain’s chemistry?
• Are the physical/biological processes that
explain the behavior?
• How can the behavior be explained
biologically?
Developmental- behavior is determined by the
interaction of nature and nurture
• Are the behaviors and/or thought processes a
result of nature, nurture, or both?
• Does nature or nurture shape more of who we
become?
• How and why do we change as we become older
(in terms of social skills, learning language,
assimilating and expectations of our culture)
• How do developments in childhood effect our
develop over our lifetimes?
Cognitive-behavior is the result of our mental
interpretations of our experience
• What were the thoughts that led up to the
behavior?
• If thoughts are analyzed and changed will the
outcome the next time be different?
• What are the thinking skills involved?
• How does the individual interpret the situation or
event?
• How did one make decisions?
• How are other peoples’ motives interpreted?
• How does one perceive his/her self?
• How does one perceive how others see them?
Psychodynamic- sees behavior as arising from
unconscious needs, conflicts, repressed memories,
and childhood experiences
• Is there indication of some deeper problem or
conflict raging in the unconscious?
• What is the deeper problem or conflict?
• Is the individual holding in/penting up/repressing
feelings? (Defense Mechanisms)
• Is the behavior a result of holding in/penting
up/repressing feelings?
• Did something happen in early childhood that
triggered the behavior later?
Humanistic- focuses on the influence of selfconcept, perceptions, and interpersonal relationships
as well as our need for personal growth
• How do our actions influence our self
concept and our need for personal growth
and fulfillment?
• How does free will effect our behaviors and
thought processes?
• How do our choices effect our behaviors
and thought processes?
Behavioral-we respond to stimulus cues and our
history of rewards and punishments
• Is the behavior learned?
• Does anything reinforce the behavior
(rewards/punishments)?
• Was the behavior learned through the observation
of others?
• Was the individual exposed to events that aided in
their outcome?
• Can new behaviors or habits replace old?
• How has the environment shaped behavior?
Sociocultural-behavior is influenced by culture, by
social norms and expectations, and by social learning
• Are there unique pressures within certain cultures?
• How do social, ethnic, racial, and religious groups
affect an individual’s behavior?
• Are there different rules and expectations for
groups?
• What are the norms of society and how do they
affect individuals?
• What areas of life do sociocultural differences
affect?
Evolutionary/Sociobiological- behavior is
determined by natural selection
• Did our ancestors behave similarly to how
we behave today?
• What behaviors are adaptive?
• What behaviors are hereditary?
• How have genetics played a role in how
human behavior has evolved?
Trait- behavior results from each person’s unique
combination of traits
• How do we acquire personality traits?
• What makes an individual an introvert or
extrovert?
• How can we use traits to predict behavior?