INTRO TO PSYCHOLOGY | perspectives/theories

biological theory

• Explains behavior in neurological/biological terms

  • Brain chemicals/hormones

  • Genetics (DNA/Heredity)

sociocultural theory

• Explains behavior in terms of rules & expectations of…

  • Social Groups (Family/Peers/Media, Etc)

  • Culture (Traditions & Practices)

humanistic theory

• Explains behavior in terms of a human’s unique perception of the world

  • Humans have free will & the ability to change their behavior

  • Humans focus on growing to reach their maximum potential

behavioral theory

• Explains behavior in terms of what people learn in their immediate environment

  • Shaped by rewards & punishments

cognitive theory

• Explains behavior in terms of mental processing including…

  • Brain’s analysis & interpretations of information

  • Examining the way a person thinks

psychoanalytic

• Explains behavior in terms of unconscious mental processing

  • Humans are unaware of the contents

  • Repressed memories/events

  • Instincts/drives/desires 

evolutionary theory

• Explains that behavior is a result of adaptive aspects of behavior resulting from natural selection

  • Cooperation & Aggression, for example, are adaptive survival strategies.

psychodynamic/psychoanalytic

-Subconscious/Unconscious              

-Childhood Trauma

-Repressed Memories    

-Drives/Instincts        

behavioral

-Environmental                 -Learned

-Reward                            -Modeling

-Punishment                     -Influenced

biological

-Inheritance                     -Hormones

-DNA                                -Brain/Brain Chemistry/Neurotransmitters

-Genetics                         -Genomes

humanistic

Unique Perception                       -Reaching Full Potential

-Self Actualization                         -Free will

-Unique Experiences                    -Autonomy

cognitive

-Mind vs. Brain             -Interpretations

-Mental processing      -Comprehension

sociocultural

-Rules                -Societal Standards        

-Expectations    -Traditional

evolutionary

-Adaptive Behaviors                -Darwinism

-Survival                    -Natural Selection