Major Perspectives in Psychology

Question 1

What is the Biological Perspective

Answer 1

• Emphasizes the study of the physical bases of human and animal behavior
• It studies the nervous system, endocrine system, immune system, and genetics
• Deals with Neuroscience –> AKA study of nervous system (mostly brain)
• In depth look at how biological factors influence human behaviors, emotions, and thought processes.

Question 2

What is the Psychodynamic Perspective/Psychoanalysis

Answer 2

• Emphasizes the importance of unconscious influences, early life experiences, and interpersonal relationships (between people)
• Explains how these influences can explain behaviors
• Uses free association techniques to form connections when treating patients.

Question 3

What is Free Association?

Answer 3

The mental process by which one word or image may spontaneously suggest another without any apparent connection.

Question 4

What is the Behavioral Perspective?

Answer 4

• Focuses on observable behaviors and fundamental laws of learning (from Watson and Skinner)
• Studies how behavior is acquired/modified by environmental causes.

Question 5

What is the Humanistic Perspective?

Answer 5

-Focuses on the motivation of people to grow psychologically, influence of interpersonal relationships on a person’s self-concept, importance of choice and self-direction, and reaching one’s personal potential.

Question 6

What is the Positive Psychological Perspective

Answer 6

• Focuses on study of positive emotions and psychological states
• Supports positive individual traits
• Examines social situations that build positive qualities
• Also focuses on developing therapeutic techniques that increase personal well being.

Question 7

What is the Cognitive Perspective?

Answer 7

• Study of how mental processes influence behavior

- Importance of how people process and remember info, develop language, solve problems, and think

Question 8

What is the Cross Cultural Perspective?

Answer 8

• Study the diversity of human behavior in different cultural settings and countries
• Determines cultural influences on behaviors

Question 9

What is the Evolutionary Perspective?

Answer 9

• Application of the principles of evolution to explain psychology processes and phenomena
• Natural selection of psychology traits that will allow a person a better chance of survival.

Question 10

What is Culture?

Answer 10

Attitudes, values, beliefs, and behaviors of a group of people

Question 11

Ethnocentrism

Answer 11

the belief that one’s own culture/ethnic group is superior

Question 12

What are Individualistic Cultures?

Answer 12

Cultures that emphasize the needs/goals of the individual/

Question 13

What are Collectivistic Cultures?

Answer 13

Cultures that emphasize the needs/goals of the group over the individuals.