Download Perspectives and Careers

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A perspective is a way of
viewing phenomena
Psychology has multiple
perspectives:
◦ Behavioral Perspective
◦ Humanistic Perspective
◦ Biological Perspective
◦ Psychoanalytic Perspective
◦ Cognitive Perspective
◦ Evolutionary Perspective
◦ Sociocultural Perspective
http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_
photog.php?photogid=809
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This perspective began to account for behavior as
a result of previous experiences.
Behaviorists believe:
◦ observable behaviors.
◦ behavior is shaped
by learning.
◦ surroundings are
important
Behaviorists emphasize
Nurture.
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Important Behaviorists to remember:
◦ Ivan Pavlov (1849 – 1936)
◦ Nobel Prize winner 1904, physiology of digestion
◦ Using a tuning fork (bell) and meat powder,
Pavlov was able to condition dogs to salivate at a
sound – a Conditioned Response.
http://www.massey.ac.nz/~wwpapajl/evolution/assign2/TM/Pavlov2.html
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Important Behaviorists to remember:
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http://www.all-aboutpsychology.com/little-albert.html
John B. Watson (1878 – 1958)
All behaviors the result of
conditioning and occurs because of
stimulus in the environment .
Human beings have No Free Will .
Controversial experiment on
environment and “Little Albert.”
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Important Behaviorists to remember:
B.F. Skinner (1904-1990)
◦ American psychologist at Harvard
◦ studied learning and effect of reinforcement
◦ Walden II – utopian community
◦ Applied his ideas
within the realm
of advertising
and business.
http://www.thebirdman.org/Index/Others/Others-Doc-ConspiracyTheory&NWO/+DocConspiracyTheory-MindControl-SoftCore-Media&Schools/BrainwashingAmerica-Livergood.htm
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Important Behaviorists to remember:
Edward L. Thorndike (1874 – 1949)
◦ First to conduct systematic investigation of
animal behavior.
◦ positive and negative reinforcement
https://behavioranalysishistory.pbworks.com/w/page/37201686/1910s
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Important Behaviorists to remember:
Albert Bandura –behaviorist
◦ Stressed modeling- Humans learn through
watching and imitating examples.
 Example – TV violence and impact on society
http://students.cis.uab.edu/sarahlr/bandura.html
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Humanistic Psychology –
◦ This perspective believes that behavior is based
on the need to grow and reach one’s full
potential, called self-actualization
◦ Stresses that human nature is active and creative,
not just reactive.
◦ Humans can change
their environment.
http://izettl.hubpages.com/hub/Positive-Psychology-Hope-for-a-Good-New-Year
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Important Humanists to Know
Carl Rogers (1902 – 1987)
◦ Emphasized the concept of Free Will and choice
in human behavior.
◦ Believed that people become anxious and
unhappy if they are prevented from selfactualization.
http://cgjj.wikispaces.com/Theory
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Important Humanists to Know
Abraham Maslow (1908 – 1970)
◦ Needs Hierarchy
◦ Self-actualization (becoming all we can be)
is the highpoint of human motivation.
◦ Basis of modern
management/organizational
behavior theory
http://www.abraham-maslow.com/m_motivation/Hierarchy_of_Needs.asp
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http://psychcentral.com/news/2010/06/04/teen-brainwired-for-risk/14296.html
This perspective studies the
physiological mechanisms in
the brain , endocrine and
nervous system that organize
and control behavior
The focus may be
◦ individual neurons
◦ areas of the brain
◦ specific functions like eating,
emotion or learning
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http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/learningplay/200912/new-years-resolutionspsychoanalytic-perspective
This perspective evolved from
the work of Sigmund Freud
Some books and resources call
this the psychodynamic
perspective
◦ behavior reflects combinations of
conscious and unconscious influences
◦ drives and urges within the unconscious
component of mind influence thought
and behavior
◦ early childhood experiences shape
unconscious motivations
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This perspective examines how knowledge is
acquired, organized, remembered, and used to
guide behavior.
http://klik-4all.blogspot.com/2011/05/cognitive-perspective.html
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http://www.buzzle.com/articles/jean-piagets-theory.html
Important people to
remember:
◦ Jean Piaget (1896 –
1980)
 studied intellectual
development
 described how infants,
children, and
adolescents use
different cognitive
abilities to make sense
of the world.
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Important people to remember:
◦ Noam Chomsky (b. 1928)
 studied language acquisition
 Theorized that
humans have an
innate ability
to learn language.
http://citelighter-cards.s3.amazonaws.com/p16nao79mq1rc41hpj1djt1gst1l7t0_33236.jpg
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This perspective uses the ideas of evolution
to explain human behaviors.
◦ Natural selection is a key factor in determining
human behavior.
http://homepage.psy.utexas.edu/homepage/deptarea/idep/
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This perspective studies the
psychological differences
among people living in
different cultural groups and
social situations.
◦ How are people’s thoughts,
feelings and behavior
influenced by their culture?
◦ What are the common
elements across culture?
Are these innate?
http://smu.edu/education/CCCD/conceptualframework.asp
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The American Psychological Association has
more than 50 divisions.
◦ Some represent areas of training and
specialization (e.g., developmental, clinical)
◦ Some are applied
(i.e., teaching in
psychology,
psychology and
the law)
http://www.apa.org/careers/resources/guides/careers.aspx
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*This reflects the British system of
post secondary degrees.
http://www.epsychologist.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Careers-in-Psychology-.jpg
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http://0.tqn.com/d/psychology/1/0/6/8/psychologist.jpg
Clinical
Studies abnormal behavior
and psychological disorders
 A psychologist has a masters
or doctorate degree in
psychology.
 A psychiatrist is a medical
doctor who focuses his/her
practice on the biological
bases of behavior.
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Health psychologist
◦ Studies psychological
factors in physical
health
Counseling
psychologist
◦ Helps people deal
with normal life
situations
◦ Helps to provide
guidance
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/clinical-psychologist-salary-range.html
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Developmental
Psychologist
◦ Studies psychological
changes over the life
span
◦ Subfields include
social, cognitive, and
personality
http://www.griffith.edu.au/health/school-applied-psychology/future-students/learningabout-my-profession
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http://www.weac.org/professional_resources/great_schools/news_and_articles/20042005/psychologists.aspx
School Psychologist
◦ Provides counseling
and guidance in
school settings
Educational
Psychologist
◦ Conducts research to
improve student
learning and teaching
techniques
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Psychobiologist
◦ Studies the brain and
behavior at many
levels.
◦ The field often uses
animals as research
models
http://wwwm.coventry.ac.uk/researchnet/CNaP/Pages/CognitionNeurosciencea
ndPsychobiologyCNaP.aspx
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Experimental
Psychologists
◦ Basic laboratory focus
◦ Conducts
experiments involving
both animals and
humans
◦ Areas of focus include
learning, memory,
and motivation
http://tweetymom.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/lab-mice.jpg
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Cognitive Psychologists
◦ Mainly pursue an
experimental
approach
◦ Areas of research
include human
memory, perception,
etc.
http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/Psychology/cognitive/
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Social Psychologists
◦ Study social
influences on
cognition and
emotion
◦ Areas include the
foundations of
specific attitudes and
beliefs
http://highered.mcgrawhill.com/sites/0073531898/information_center_view0/
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Personality
psychologists
◦ Examine individual
differences in people
and their behavior
◦ Also includes
differences in
perception by others
http://www.makingthemodernworld.org.uk/learning_modules/psychology/02.TU.04/?sec
tion=11
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Industrial/organizational
Psychologists
◦ Study people and work
◦ Improve job satisfaction
◦ Design training and
selection programs
http://georgetowncollege.edu/Departments/psychology/mckenzie/psych365.htm
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Many other areas and subfields are continually
evolving.
For the most recent list of career possibilities,
search the American Psychological
Association.