Chapter 1: Psychological Perspectives Flashcards
Name some examples of noteworthy humanists.
Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers
What did the humanists believe in?
They stresssed individual choice and free will
In contrast to the humanists, what did the deterministic behaviorists believe in?
They believed that all behaviors were caused by past conditioning
What is an issue with humanistic theories?
They are not easily tested by the scientific method
What does the psychoanalytic perspective entail?
It states that the unconscious mind–a part of our mind that we do not have conscious control over or access to–controls much of our thought and action
What is entailed in the biopsychology (or nueroscience) perspective?
It explains human thought and behavior strictly in terms of biological processes
How do biopsychologists explain human behavior?
Through genes, hormones, and neurotransmitters
What is evolutionary psychology?
It examines human thoughts and actions in terms of natural selection
What is natural selection?
Some psychological triats might be advantageous for survival, and these traits would be passed down from the parents to the next generation
What is the behavioral perspective?
It explains human thought and behavior in terms of conditioning
What do behaviorists focus on?
They look at observable behaviors and human and animal responses to different kinds of stimuli
What is the cognitive perspective?
It examines human thought and behavior in terms of how we interpret, process, and remember environmental events;
Basically based on how we make sense of the world
Name a noteworthy cognitist.
Jean Piaget
What is the social-cultural perspective?
It looks at how our thoughts and behaviors vary between cultures;
Emphasizes the influence of culture in how we think and act
What is the biopsychosocial perspective?
A modern perspective that acknowledges that human thinking and behavior results from combinations of biological, psychological, and social factors
