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Biological Approach

Biological Approach

Focuses on how genetics, the nervous system, hormones, and brain structures influence a person’s thinking and behavior.

Behavioral Approach

Established as a revolt against introspection. Said psychology should only be concerned with what can be objectively observed and measured

**Redefined psychology as the scientific study of observable behavior.**Believes behavior is learned (conditioned by environmental factors) Focuses on how behaviors are learned and modified

Wilhem Wundt

Added two key elements to help make psychology a science:

1. carefully measured observations

2. experiments

Empiricism

Knowledge comes from experience via the senses. Science flourishes through observation and experiment

Structuralism

Sought to understand the human mind by breaking it down into its most basic components (structures). Examined how these elements combine to form more complex experiences.

Edward Titchener

used data from introspection, reporting on sensations and other elements of experience.

William James

considered to be one of the founders of American psychology. published Principles of Psychology. did not want to break behavior into parts; instead, he never wanted to lose sight of the individual as a whole.

Functionalism

Examined the function of the human mind—what purpose does it serve? Was concerned with how the mind allows us to adapt and survive. More concerned with the purpose of the mind, not its parts.

Mary Whiton Calkins

Student of William James. First female to complete all PhD requirements at Harvard. Was denied degree because she was a woman. First female president of the American Psychological Association

Margaret Floy Washburn

first female to earn a Psychology PhD.The second female APA president.

Behaviorism

Behaviorists study and experiment with observable behavior.

Introspection

Process of looking inward, observing one’s mental experiences/sensations, and reporting them back to the researcher.

• Unreliable because the results are subjective and inconsistent

Dorothea Dix

American activist on behalf of the severely mentally ill. Lobbied Congress to create first generation of mental asylums.

G. Stanley Hall

Helped found the American Psychological Association (APA). Created first psychology laboratory in the US. Founded the first psychology research journal

Sigmund Freud

Austrian neurologist. Believed psychological illness was different than physical illness and could be cured with “talking therapy.” Founder of psychoanalysis

Psychoanalytic Approach

First approach developed outside of a university setting. Focused on the cause, development, and treatment of abnormal behavior. Emphasized the role of the unconscious mind: the memories, feelings, and drives that are outside of our awareness. Believed that early childhood experiences influence personality and behavior. Believed that we are driven primarily by unconscious desires and feelings. Criticized as being unscientific since the unconscious mind cannot be studied objectively.

John B. Watson

One of the founders of the behavioral approach

Believed psychology should only focus on what could be objectively measured

Conducted infamous Little Albert experiment

Cognitive Approach

Studies how thinking and perception influence behavior. an individual’s mental processes are in control of behavior through memories, perceptions, images, and thinking

Humanistic Approach

Focuses on people’s potential and their drive to be their best. Has a more positive outlook on people than the behavioral or psychoanalytic approaches

Sociocultural Approach

Emphasizes the impact of people’s culture, religion, ethnicity, gender, income level, and overall environment on a person’s thinking and behavior

Evolutionary Approach

Emphasizes how evolution influences thinking and behavior. Looks for aspects of human thought and behavior that help us and our genes survive over time.

Biopsychosocial Approach

Emphasizes that biological, psychological, and social forces all influence behavior. No person or behavior can be explained by one perspective alone

nature-nurture

the controversy over how much our psychological traits and behaviors can be explained by genes (nature) and how much can be explained by experience (nurture)

Psychiatrist

Medical doctor specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness. Typically prescribes medication to treat mental illness.

Clinical Psychologist

Psychologist who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. Provides counseling/therapy (does NOT prescribe medication)

Counseling Psychologist

• Assists people with personal problems (often related to school, work, relationships, etc.)

• Provides counseling/therapy

Industrial/Organizational Psychology (I/O)

Uses psychological training in the workplace

Cognitive Neuroscience

Studies the biological processes that enable cognition (thinking, perceiving, memory, etc.).

School Psychologist

Tests students for learning and emotional struggles. Helps create individualized education plans for students with learning and emotional struggles

Educational Psychology

Researches how people learn and remember information, Helps develop more effective curriculum, testing procedures, classroom structures, etc.

Developmental Psychology

Studies how people change and develop over their lifespan.

Personality Psychology

Studies people’s characteristic patterns of thinking, feeling, and acting.

Social Psychology

Studies how we think about, influence, and relate to other people.

Experimental Psychology

Using experiments to study human thought and behavior

Applied Research

Research that is undertaken to solve a particular problem, not just to learn something new

Psychometrics

Focuses on the construction of assessment tools, measurement instruments, and formal models that help study and observe human thoughts and behavior

Skinner

the goal of a science of psychology was to predict and control an organism's behavior from its current stimulus situation and its history of reinforcement

Rogers

one of the founders of humanistic psychology

Maslow

developed a hierarchy of needs to explain human motivation.

Pavlov

discovery of classical conditioning, centers around the concept of associative learning. He sought to explore how organisms, including humans, acquire new behaviors and responses through repeated associations between stimul

Piaget

best known for his research on children's cognitive development. created a theory that described the stages that children pass through in the development of intelligence and formal thought processes.