Overview Of Theoretical Perspectives Flashcards
What is Psychology?
This is the scientific study of behaviour and mental processes in all their facets. It takes into account their thoughts, feelings and actions.
What are the major Psychological Perspectives?
These include:
Psychodynamic Perspective
Behavioural Perspective
Cognitive Perspective
Humanistic Perspective
Biological Perspective
Sociocultural Perspective
What does the Psychodynamic Perspective focus on?
Originating in the work of Sigmund Freud, this perspective focuses on unconscious psychological processes and contends that childhood experiences are crucial in shaping adult personality.
The Psychodynamic Perspective states that personality is tripartite, explain each part.
These three parts include:
Id
Ego
Superego
TheId andsuperegoare the unconscious parts of the mind and they are in constant conflict with theego, the conscious part of the mind.
Id- is the primitive and instinctive component of personality. It operates on the pleasure principle, is insistent and does not respond to reality. Obeys only the rule of instant gratification.
Ego- is the decision making component of personality. It mediates between the Id, superego and reality. It controls and integrates behaviour, is driven by the reality principle, delays gratification and tries to satisfy the demands of the Id in the most realistic way.
Superego- incorporates society’s values and morals which are learner from our parents and others. It has two components, the ego-ideal and the conscience. It decides which behaviours are permissable and which are wrong and punishes with feelings of guilt.
What happens when unconscious conflicts between the Id and superego cannot be resolved by the ego?
Anxiety is created, to reduce this anxiety, we use defense mechanisms such as repression.
What does the Behavioural Perspective focus on?
In this perspective, the environment is seen as the primary determinant of behaviour. John B. Watson argued that if psychology is to be a productive science, it’s focus should not be on consciousness but on observable behaviour.
What are the two main processes by which people learn from their environment?
Classical Conditioning and Operant Conditioning
Define Classical Conditioning
Classical Conditioning is learning through association. It simple terms, two stimuli are linked together to produce a new learner response in a person or animal.
Classical Conditioning was discovered by Russian Psychologist, Ivan Pavlov who managed to condition dogs to salivate to the sound of a bell through repeated association with the bell and food.
Define Operant Conditioning
Operant Conditioning is a theory of learning where behaviour that is reinforced (rewarded) will likely be repeated and behaviour that is punished will occur less frequently.
B.F Skinner investigated Operant Conditioning and that some behaviours could be explained by the person’s motives. Therefore behaviour happens for a reason and the three main behaviour shaping techniques are positive reinforcement e.g approval or attention, negative reinforcement and punishment.
Define the Cognitive Perspective
Psychologists from this perspective study cognition, which is the mental act or process by which knowledge is acquired.
The cognitive perspective is concerned with mental functions, such as memory, perception and attention. It views people as being similar to computers in the way we process information. For example, both human brains and computers process information, store data and have an input and output procedure.
What does the Humanistic Perspective focus on?
The Humanistic Perspective focuses on human experience, choice and creativity, self-actualization and positive growth.
Humanistic Psychologists do not believe we can understand human consciousness and behaviour through scientific research.
It looks at the positive sides of human nature along with the potential for positive growth.
Who were the main proponents of the Humanistic Perspective?
Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow.
Roger’s believed that people have an innate goodness, a true self that changes if deprived of love, attention, nurturing and attention.
Abraham Maslow postures an hierarchy of needs theory comprising of a five-tier model of human needs often depicted as hierarchical levels within a pyramid.
The five levels of the hierarchy are physiological, safety, love/belonging, esteem and self-actualization.
Lower level basic needs such as food, water and safety must be met first before higher needs can be fulfilled.
What does the Biological Perspective focus on?
This perspective focuses on the role of biological factors such as genetics and brain chemistry in shaping behaviour and mental processes.
What does the Sociocultural Perspective focus on?
This perspective focuses on how culture, society and social interactions influence psychological functioning.
Compare the Biological Perspective and the Cognitive Perspective
Behavioral Perspective emphasizes observable behaviours as the primary focus of study. It asserts that behaviors are learned through conditioning and can be modified through reinforcement or punishment.
Unlike behaviourism, the cognitive perspective focuses on internal mental processes, such as perception, memory, reasoning, and problem-solving. It aims to understand how these processes influence behaviour.
