Unit 0

Empirical Evidence

Information acquired by observation or experimentation; makes psychology a science.

Perspectives

Ways of understanding and explaining human behavior & mental processes.

Psychology

Scientific study of mental process & behavior.

Evolutionary Perspective

Taking principles of evolution (such as natural selection), applying them to psychological phenomena.

Psychodynamic Perspective

Behaviors based on past experiences left in childhood or the unconscious mind; crucial in shaping adult personality.

Behavioral Perspective

Focuses on observable & learned behaviors, humans/animals are controlled by their environment and how they are conditioning is based off rewards/punishments.

Cognitive Perspective

Focuses on internal processes (memory, intelligence, perception, problem-solving, etc) which influences behavior.

Sociocultural Perspective

Society and culture shapes behavior and cognition, social customs, beliefs, values, etc shapes a person’s identity and reality.

Biopsychology

Influence of genetics and brain chemistry on thinking/behavior, physical and biological processes and evolves over time.

Biopsychosocial

Combining multiple approaches, links between genetics and environments. (Biological, Psychological, and socio-cultural influences).