2-0: Introduction to Major Perspectives

Question 1

What are scientific studies often guided by?

Answer 1

A paradigm (prevailing model)

Question 2

What is a paradigm?

Answer 2

A paradigm equips scientists and practitioners with a set of assumptions about what is to be studied as well as a set of research methods for how those phenomena should be examined.

Question 3

Why does psychology lack a guiding or prevailing paradigm?

Answer 3

Due to its youth and scope. Instead, the field of psychology has travelled the course of several movements, schools of thought, or perspectives, which provide frameworks for organizing data and connecting theories but no overall guidance or stance.

Question 4

How do perspectives in psychology examine human existence?

Answer 4

They ask why, how, and what. These are the elements of psychology.

Question 5

In the elements of psychology, what does the “why” deal with?

Answer 5

Things like evolution, environment, and culture.

Question 6

In the elements of psychology, what does the “how” deal with?

Answer 6

Things like cognition, behaviour, and subconscious.

Question 7

In the elements of psychology, what does the “what” deal with?

Answer 7

Things like sensations, emotions, thoughts, perceptions, and actions.

Question 8

How often, on average, does a new perspective in psychology emerge?

Answer 8

Every 20 to 30 years.