Psychological Approaches (Unit 1, Part 1)

Psychology

The scientific study of mental processes and behavior of humans and animals

To describe behavior, explain behavior, predict behavior, and control or change behavior

Goals of psychology

Biological, humanistic, sociocultural, behavioral, psychodynamic, cognitive, and evolutionary

7 psychological perspectives

Behaviorist Perspective

• Perspective that studies how learned and observable behaviors impact one’s behavior and mental processes

• Believes psychology should be an objective science

• Believes only observable and measurable behavior should be studied

• Also know as behaviorism or the learning perspective

Psychodynamic Perspective

• Originally called psychoanalysis and founded by Freud

• Believes that unconscious forces and early childhood experiences affect our mental processes

• Stresses the impact of internal conflicts hidden within the mind

Freud’s iceberg theory

• States that most of the human mind is hidden from view (90% invisible, 10% visible)

• Compares levels of consciousness (conscious, preconscious, and unconscious)

• Compares the id, ego, and superego

Id

• The most primitive part of the psyche

• Operates entirely within the unconscious

• Includes basic impulses like sex and aggression

• Seeks immediate gratification and is impulsive and irrational

Ego

• The part of the psyche that deals with reality

• Mediates between the id’s impulses and the superego’s morals

• Tests reality and is rational

• Operates mostly within the conscious level but also at preconscious level

Superego

• The moral part of the psyche

• Represents internalized ideals, standards, and morals of parents and society

• Is the source of guilt and drives to be perfect

• Operates mostly at the preconscious level

Biological Perspective

• Explains how biological and physiological processes impact behavior and mental processes

• Explores genetics, neural impulses, and hormones

Evolutionary Perspective

• The study of how behaviors and mental proceses present in the species today exist because of natural selection

• Studies the passing down of traits from generation to generation

Humanistic Perspective

• The study of how the drive for personal growth and self actualization impact behaviors and mental processes

• Believes that humans have an innate drive to reach their full potential

• Stresses the importance of unconditional positive regard (unconditional love/rewards)

• Rejects both behaviorism and psychoanalytic perspective

Cognitive Perspective

• Studies how interpretations of situations and mental processes impact behavior and mental processes

• Examines the way people think, perceive, learn, remember, communicate, and solve problems

Social-Cultural Perspective

• Studies how behavior and mental processes vary across situations and cultures

• Believes in cultural impacts (perception of time and promptness, ideal personal space, beliefs about marriage/sex, emotional displays)

• Looks at individualist vs collectivist societies

Biopsychosocial Perspective

• An approach that seeks to understand behavior and mental processes using biology, psychology, and sociology

Positive Psychology

• The scientific study of human flourishing

• It’s goal is to discover and promote human strength and virtues

• Strengthening individuals and communities

Developmental Psychology

• Field of psychology that studies how our behaviors and mental processes change as we age

• Follows through the lifespan

• May work in places like schools, day care centers, or senior centers

Personality Psychology

• Field of psych that studies the enduring, distinctive, and unique characteristics/traits of an individual

Industrial Organizational (I/O) Psychology

• Field of psych that studies the relationship between people and their work environments

• Investigates worker productivity, worker selection, organizational structuring, consumer behavior, and training

• May work in places like universities, businesses, industry, consulting, or government

Counseling Psychology

• Field of psych that aims to help people cope with adjustments and crises

• Deals with challenges relating to school, work, family, and relationships

• Can include therapy and counseling

• May conduct research

Clinical psychologist

• Psychologist who assesses, diagnoses, and treats mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders

• Can administer and interpret psychological tests

• provides psychotherapy to individuals with psychological disorders

• May conduct research

• Holds a PhD or PsyD

Psychiatrist

• Type of psychologist that holds an MD

• May prescribe drugs to treat the psychological causes of psychological disorders

• May also provide psychotherapy

Educational Psychologist

• Type of psychologist that works with kids in school dealing with problems that may negatively affect learning in the classroom

• Provides academic, behavioral, and health supports

• Can do evaluations, assessments, and data analysis

• Most work in elementary or secondary schools, but some might work as university professors or for a government or private research company

Nature vs nurture issue

The debate over whether biology/genetics (nature) or environmental (nurture) factors influence behavior and mental processes