Download 6 major perspectives in psychology

6 major perspectives in psychology
Emphasizes studying the physical
bases of human and animal
behavior, including the nervous
system, endocrine system, immune
system, and genetics
BIOLOGICAL
Emphasizes the importance of
unconscious influences, early life
experiences, and interpersonal
relationship in explaining the
underlying dynamics of behavior.
PSYCHODYNAMIC
Studies how behavior is acquired or
modified by environmental
consequences.
BEHAVIORAL
Focuses on the motivation of people
to grow psychologically, the
influences on a person's selfconcept, and the importance of
choice and self-direction in striving
to reach one's potential.
HUMANISTIC
Focuses on the important role of
mental processes in how people
process information, develop
language, solve problems and think.
COGNITIVE
Focuses on how cultural factors
influence patterns of behavior.
CROSS-CULTURAL
Applies the principles of evolution,
specifically natural selection, to
explain psychological processes.
EVOLUTIONARY
Biological Perspective in Modern Psychology Emphasizes Science
The biological perspective emphasizes physical and biological aspects and how they impact human
behavior. This model has become increasingly important in the field of psychology, particularly in
utilizing the latest medical advances such as MRI and PET scans which enable the brain to be mapped.
Scientists can now study the effects of brain damage, drug and alcohol abuse, disease and mental
illness in new and innovative ways.
Psychoanalytic Perspective of Modern Psychology Pioneered by Freud
Pioneered by Viennese neurologist Sigmund Freud (1856-1939), the psychoanalytic perspective
targets the unconscious mind. Psychoanalysts believe that a person's past memories and experiences
remain in their unconscious and continue to affect their behavior in the present day.
Behavioral Perspective of Modern Psychology Popular in Early 1900's
The behavioral perspective focuses on learning and reinforcement of behavior. Once dominant in
the early half of the 20th century, the behavioral perspective began to decline in popularity in the
1950's. Nevertheless, many behavioral techniques are still commonly used by therapists in mental
health treatment settings to target certain patient behaviors.
Cognitive and Humanistic Perspectives of Modern Psychology
The cognitive perspective gained considerable influence during the 1960's. This approach focuses
on the mental processes of the human mind such as memory, language, thinking, decision making
and problem solving. This approach also addresses how people absorb information and store it by
utilizing scientific methods that go deep into a person's mind.
The humanistic perspective describes people who approach life with a positive attitude. It
addresses the role of motivation on thought and behavior, freeing people from a set fate through free
will.
Evolutionary and Cross-Cultural Perspectives of Modern Psychology
The evolutionary perspective focuses on the study of evolution and how it impacts people on a
physiological level. Utilizing the principles of evolution (such as natural selection), evolutionary
psychologists believe that language and perception are adaptations and that mental processes exist
because they support reproduction and survival.
The cross-cultural perspective is a recent approach that studies the behavior of individuals across
various different cultures. By examining cultural differences, psychologists and researchers study how
thinking and behavior is influenced by the culture of individuals.