AP Psych - 1. Psychological Perspectives

Unit 1

Biological Perspective

explains psychological phenomena based upon changes occurring in the body. looks to explain behavior by an imbalance of neurotransmitters, a change in brain structure, or genetics

Cognitive Perspective

explains psychological phenomena based upon mental process like the way a person thinks, learns, and perceives events occurring in the world, communicates, or how memory may be influenced

Behavioral Perspective

explains psychological phenomena based upon principles of learning such as modeling, reinforcers, punishers, or through classical conditioning

Psychodynamic Perspective

explains psychological phenomena based upon the ideas of Sigmund Freud, most notably that childhood trauma, repressed memories, and unresolved conflict in our unconscious can shape our behaviors

Humanistic Perspective

explains psychological phenomena based upon our ability to reach out full potential and grow as humans toward whatever our idea of our ideal self is

Sociocultural Perspective

explains psychological phenomena based upon social & cultural norms can influence a person’s behavior

Evolutionary Perspective

explains psychological phenomena based upon how the human species has adapted overtime to survive, and is based upon the ideas of Charles Darwin such as natural selection & survival of the fittest