Perspectives in Psychology

Jun 9, 2024

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Perspectives in Psychology

1. Psychodynamic Perspective

  • Developed by Sigmund Freud
  • Explores influence of the unconscious mind on behavior
  • Key concepts:
    • Childhood experiences
    • Unresolved inner conflicts
    • Role in shaping personality and behavior
  • Therapeutic approach:
    • Exploration of dream meanings
    • Uncovering suppressed thoughts and memories
    • Defense mechanism: suppressing traumatic memories

2. Behavioral Perspective

  • Critical of psychodynamic approach
  • Focus on observable behaviors
  • Pioneers: B.F. Skinner, John Watson
  • Key concepts:
    • Environmental influence
    • Learning through conditioning
    • Utilizing reinforcement and punishment to modify behavior

3. Cognitive Approach

  • Disagrees with behaviorism
  • Focus on unobservable thought processes
  • Key concepts:
    • Thinking, perception, remembering, learning
    • Processes like problem-solving, decision-making, language comprehension
  • Aim: Understanding mental processes to gain insights into behavior

4. Sociocultural Perspective

  • Role of social and cultural influences on behavior
  • Key concepts:
    • Societal norms, values, traditions
    • Variation of behaviors across cultures
    • Impact of cultural evolution on the mind
  • Example: Different thought processes based on cultural norms

5. Biological Perspective

  • Links between brain, nervous system, and behavior
  • Key concepts:
    • Influence of genetics, hormones, neurotransmitters
    • Study of emotions, thoughts, actions
  • Methods: Collaborates with neuroscientists, uses brain scans

6. Evolutionary Perspective

  • Evolutionary principles shaping behavior
  • Key concepts:
    • Natural selection
    • Hardwired behaviors for survival and reproduction
    • Mating preferences, aggression, altruism

7. Humanistic Perspective

  • Rooted in works of Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow
  • Emphasizes personal growth, free will, human potential
  • Key concepts:
    • Innate goodness, motivation for self-actualization
    • Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs: comfort, food, shelter, safety, belonging, strong self-esteem
  • Recommendation: Watch video on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs