AP Psych: Perspectives

When looking at why a person chooses to behave a particular way, I will examine how they think and process information.

Cognitive

When looking at why a person chooses to behave a particular way, I will examine what happened in childhood and what kinds of issues the patient is fixated on

Psychodynamic

When looking at why a person chooses to behave a particular way, I will examine the brain chemistry and hormonal issues of the person

Biological

When looking at why a person chooses to behave a particular way, I will examine if the behavior helps the person reach his/her own potential

Humanistic

When looking at why a person chooses to behave a particular way, I will examine what consequences (pleasant or unpleasant) the person experienced.

Behavioral

When looking at why a person chooses to behave a particular way, I will examine the social norms, cultural expectations, and the influence of family, peers, and society

Sociocultural

When looking at why a person chooses to behave a particular way, I will examine how the behavior may have helped humans survive or reproduce in the past

Evolutionary

The unconscious mind influences everything we do.

Psychodynamic

Looks at strategies for how people retain memory or forget.

Cognitive

Believe depression is influenced by genetic predisposition and brain chemistry

Biological

Believe depression is influenced by how we perceive the world and how our thoughts can betray us.

Cognitive

Depression is the result of not being able to express our anger toward those at whom we are angry at, so we “swallow” or repress it, leading to depression

Psychodynamic

Depression is caused when an individual has a specific self-concept, but others in our lives have different views of who we are and what we should be

Humanistic

Believe depression is influenced by cultural norms, socioeconomic status, and the stigma around mental health in a person’s community.

Sociocultural

We are constantly trying to become who we are.  Our lives are a process of growth.

Humanistic

Analyzing dreams and providing some meaning for our emotions or personality is a part of this point of view.

Psychodynamic

Explaining how traits like fear of snakes or preference for social groups may have helped our ancestors survive and are still present in our behavior today.

Evolution

Examining how an eyewitness will interpret a situation and how a lawyer can best cross-examine that witness.

Cognitive

Using drugs to treat various mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, anxiety, and depression.

Biological

When parents use punishment or negative consequences to change their child’s behavior, they are using a technique from this perspective.

Behavioral