Overview
This lecture reviews the seven major perspectives in modern psychology, emphasizing how each offers unique explanations for human thought and behavior.
Major Psychological Perspectives
- Psychology uses multiple perspectives to understand human behavior, including psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive, biological, cross-cultural, evolutionary, and humanistic.
- No single perspective is complete; combining several leads to a deeper understanding.
- Perspectives guide research, treatment, and the explanation of complex behaviors.
Psychodynamic Perspective
- Emphasizes unconscious influences, childhood experiences, and interpersonal relationships.
- Freud described the mind as composed of the id (instincts), ego (reality), and superego (morals).
- Therapy often explores unconscious motivations and early life events.
Behavioral Perspective
- Focuses on observable behavior and how it is learned through associations and reinforcement.
- Avoids internal mental states, concentrating on environmental impacts.
- Uses techniques like exposure therapy, aversion therapy, and token economies.
Cognitive Perspective
- Studies mental processes such as memory, thinking, and decision-making.
- Compares the mind to a computer processing, storing, and retrieving information.
- Influential in developing cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT).
Biological Perspective
- Examines how genetics, brain structures, and body systems influence behavior.
- Uses brain scans (MRI, PET) to study brain-behavior relationships.
- Advances in biology have improved understanding and treatment of mental illness.
Cross-Cultural Perspective
- Investigates how culture and society affect behavior and thought.
- Contrasts individualistic (self-reliance) and collectivistic (group harmony) cultures.
- Explains differences in behaviors like social loafing and teamwork.
Evolutionary Perspective
- Applies evolution and natural selection to mental processes.
- Behaviors and traits are seen as adaptive for survival or reproduction.
- Explains fear, aggression, and social bonding as evolutionary advantages.
Humanistic Perspective
- Focuses on self-fulfillment, growth, and personal potential.
- Stresses motivation, self-actualization, and positive aspects of human nature.
- Roots positive psychology, which aims to improve well-being and happiness.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Id — Primal, unconscious desires within the psyche.
- Ego — Part of the psyche that deals with reality and rationality.
- Superego — The internalized sense of morals and ideals.
- Reinforcement — Environmental events that increase the likelihood of a behavior.
- Self-actualization — The drive to realize one’s fullest potential.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review examples of how each perspective applies to real-life psychological problems.
- Prepare to compare and contrast perspectives in class discussion or homework.