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Overview of Psychological Perspectives in AP Psychology

May 15, 2025

AP Psychology Review: Psychological Perspectives

Introduction

  • AP Psychology Units: 5 units, focusing on different aspects of psychology.
  • Unit Zero: An introductory unit to familiarize students with scientific practices and research methods foundational to the course.
  • Goal: Understand practices and concepts for class and AP exam.
  • Guided Notes: Available through video description to help organize notes and retain important information.

Understanding Psychology

  • Common Misconception: Psychology often linked to therapy sessions (people on couches talking about feelings).

Psychological Perspectives

  1. Psychodynamic Perspective

    • Developed by Sigmund Freud.
    • Focuses on the unconscious mind and early childhood experiences.
    • Believes personalities are shaped by unconscious motives.
    • Uses techniques like free association for exploring subconscious.
    • Looks at unresolved conflicts and their impact on adult personality.

  2. Behavioral Perspective

    • Rejection of psychodynamic approach.
    • Key figures: John B Watson, Ivan Pavlov, BF Skinner.
    • Focuses on observable behavior and the environment's role in shaping it.
    • Emphasizes reinforcement and punishment.
    • Used in therapy and education to modify behaviors.

  3. Social-Cultural Perspective

    • Examines how culture shapes an individual.
    • Observes cultural norms and societal influences.
    • Looks at how external factors like family, religion, society impact behavior.
    • Provides insights into behaviors across different cultures.

  4. Humanistic Perspective

    • Led by Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow.
    • Focus on human potential to grow and self-actualization.
    • Emphasizes Free Will and personal growth.
    • Applied in therapy to improve self-esteem.

  5. Cognitive Perspective

    • Studies interpretation, processing, and memory of information.
    • Emphasizes our inner thoughts and how they influence behavior.
    • Used in cognitive behavioral therapy.

  6. Biological Perspective

    • Links between biological and psychological processes.
    • Focuses on brain, neurotransmitters, hormones, nervous system.
    • Helps understand mental disorders and medication effects on behavior.

  7. Biopsychosocial Perspective

    • Considers biological, psychological, and social factors.
    • Combination of sociocultural and biological perspectives.
    • Used in treatments considering emotional and social environment.

  8. Evolutionary Perspective

    • Based on natural selection and adaptation.
    • Proposed by Charles Darwin.
    • Helps understand behaviors like fear responses.

Conclusion

  • Application: Use perspectives to analyze real-life scenarios.
  • Ultimate Review Packet: Provides practice scenarios and quizzes for applying perspectives and testing understanding.
  • Next Topic: Exploration of cultural norms, expectations, and biases in research.

Note: For further learning, access the ultimate review packet via the link provided in the video description.

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