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AP Psychology “What is a Perspective (School of Thought)?”
Summer Assignment - 2016
Part I:
A perspective is a school of thought or a way of describing/viewing some phenomenon such as
mental illness or behavior.
Many topics in psychology can be viewed in a number of ways. For example, let’s consider the
subject of aggression. Someone who emphasizes a biological perspective would investigate how
the brain and nervous system impact aggressive behavior. A professional who stresses a
behavioral perspective would investigate how environmental variables reinforce aggressive
actions. Another psychologist who utilizes a humanistic approach might consider that behavior
to be a choice with acceptable consequences, etc.
Complete the following ON THE CHART BELOW.
a. Research each using one or more valid internet sites.
b. Define each perspective IN YOUR OWN WORDS.
7 major perspectives in modern psychology
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
The Biological Perspective (Neuroscience)
The Psychodynamic Perspective (Psychoanalytic)
The Behavioral Perspective
The Humanistic Perspective
The Cognitive Perspective
The Socio-Cultural) Perspective
The Evolutionary Perspective
PART II:
It is important to have a basic understanding of the important thinkers in the study of
psychology. As a result you should complete the following assignment
Step 1:
Buy index cards. (You only need 35 so buy a pack and split with a friend)
Step 2:
On the front of the index card write a “Key Thinker’s” name
Step 3:
On the back of the card identify the “Key Thinker’s” particular field of
psychology (this will be used as a study tool)
For example: (Front side) Jean Piaget
(Back side) Developmental Psych/Cognitive Psych
Step 4:
Then (on the back side of the card – under Step 3) identify each “Key Thinker’s”
major contributions to the field of psychology
For example: Jean Piaget’s contributed the idea of 4 stages of cognitive
development which included: sensorimotor,
preoperational, concrete operational, and formal
operational
Key Thinkers:
Allport, Gordon
Anastasi, Anne
Asch, Solomon
Bandura, Albert
Bartlett, Frederick
Binet, Alfred
Bowlby, John
Broadbent, Donald
Cannon, Walter
Cattell, Raymond
Chomsky, Noam
Erikson, Erik
Freud, Sigmund
Gregory, Richard
Von Helmholtz, Hermann
James, William
Jung, Carl
Kohlberg, Lawrence
Lewin, Kurt
Lorenz, Konrad
Maccoby, Eleanor
Maslow, Abraham
McClelland, David
Milgram, Stanley’
Pavlov, Ivan
Piaget, Jean
Rogers, Carl
Skinner, Burrhus
Spearman, Charles
Titchener, Edward
Watson, John
Wertheimer, Max
Wundt, Wilhelm
Zimbardo, Philip
PERSPECTIVE
Biological
Psychodynamic
Behavioral
Humanistic
Cognitive
Cross-Cultural (aka
Sociocultural)
Evolutionary
EXPLANATION OF PERSPECTIVE
Some highly recommended supplement books for the class: (EITHER ONE IS GREAT!)
1. Barron’s AP Psychology
Either of these books is fine. It is a
matter of preference. The key to
using these ancillaries is to read them
along with what we are learning in
class.
OR
2. 5 Steps to a 5 AP Psychology