Theories of Psych. Flashcards
Evolutionary Psych.
Focuses on theory that our minds and behaviors are adaptations that solved problems for our distant ancestors
“We fear and love what our distance ancestor fear and love”
-These were adaptive in and environment that no longer exists
- Born neutral
EX. Most don’t like to talk to strangers. For our ancestors talking to strangers could lead to a loss of resources, betrayal, death, etc. Avoiding strangers solved a problem for our distant ancestors, hence why most of us avoid them as well.
Psychobiology
Focuses on the structure and chemistry of the brain and looks at the differences between your brain and others.
-Our brains are all composed the same
-Mental illness can be a puppet master
-Our modern brain is like a stone age brain
-Born neutral
*Evolutionary psych (similarities + Psychobio (differences) = Go hand in hand
Psychoanalysis
(INCORRECT) founded by Sigmund Freud who states that
Our behavior is determined by processes that are mostly unconscious.
-Over emphasis on childhood
-Brain develops from back to front (hippocampus doesn’t develop until about 3 or 4)
-We tend to think that people do bad things because of earl childhood. It’s NOT true. Kids are very resilient
- “your born bad”
Behaviorism
Our behaviors are determined by our environment and learning experiences
Important figures: Ivan Pavlov (classical conditioning) and B.F Skinner (operant conditioning)
- born neutral
Cognitive Psych.
Focuses on the thought process and memories (mental processes)
- Social cognition
- the higher yourself esteem the more likely you are to feel disrespected and act out. possibly with violence.
- Identifying a 6-year-old bully is more likely to be convicted for a crime
- born neutral
Humanistic Psych.
Focuses on the drive for “self-actualization” (a motive to be the best that we can be)
- Maslow (Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs)
- Self-actualization is not a goal for many (more people want power or status)
- Freud (ID) Vs. Maslow (good) - contradicting
- “you’re born good”
