AP Psychology Review: Psychological Perspectives

Introduction

• AP Psychology Structure
  • Course divided into 5 units.
  • Unit 0: Focus on scientific practices and research methods foundational to the course.
  • Videos aim to familiarize with these practices for class and AP exam.
  • Guide notes available for organized learning.

Psychological Perspectives

1. Psychodynamic Perspective

• Origin: Developed by Sigmund Freud, originally called psychoanalytic theory.
• Focus:
  • Unconscious mind and early childhood experiences.
  • Personalities shaped by unconscious motives.
  • Techniques include dream analysis, free association.
• Application: Used to explore emotional issues, unresolved conflicts, impact of early experiences.

2. Behavioral Perspective

• Proponents: John B. Watson, Ivan Pavlov, B.F. Skinner.
• Focus:
  • Observable behaviors and their modification.
  • Role of environment, reinforcement, and punishment in shaping behavior.
• Application: Therapy and education, using reinforcement and conditioning techniques.

3. Social-Cultural Perspective

• Focus:
  • Influence of cultural norms and societal expectations on behavior.
  • Interaction with family, religion, community, and society.
• Observations: Insight into behaviors across cultures, difficult to measure culture itself.

4. Humanistic Perspective

• Proponents: Carl Rogers, Abraham Maslow.
• Focus:
  • Human potential for growth, free will, and self-actualization.
  • Optimistic approach to personal development.
• Application: Therapy for personal growth, self-esteem improvement.

5. Cognitive Perspective

• Focus:
  • Interpretation, processing, and memory of information.
  • Inner thoughts and their influence on behavior.
• Challenge: Objectively studying thought processes is difficult.
• Application: Cognitive behavioral therapy.

6. Biological Perspective

• Focus:
  • Links between biology and psychological processes.
  • Brain, neurotransmitters, hormones, nervous system roles.
• Application: Understanding neurological conditions, mental disorders, medication effects.

7. Biopsychosocial Perspective

• Focus:
  • Interconnectedness of biological, psychological, social factors.
• Application: Comprehensive treatment approaches considering emotional state and social environment.

8. Evolutionary Perspective

• Proponent: Charles Darwin.
• Focus:
  • Natural selection and adaptation influences on behavior.
• Application: Understanding behaviors like fear responses.

Conclusion

• Next Steps:
  • Go to the ultimate review packet for practice scenarios.
  • Take practice quiz to reinforce understanding.
• Next Topic: Exploration of cultural norms, expectations, biases in research.

• Resources: Watch video, sign up for free preview in the description.