ap psychology

What is psychology?

the scientific study of behavior and mental processes

Who developed the psychodynamic perspective of psychology?

Sigmund Freud

What did the psychodynamic perspective of psychology use to be called?

psychoanalytic theory

What does the psychodynamic perspective of psychology focus on?

this psychological perspective focuses on the unconscious mind and early childhood experiences

What did Freud believe?

people’s personalities are shaped by unconscious motives

How did Freud think we could better understand our subconscious?

• better understand our subconscious by analyzing our dreams, speaking openly about our expressions, and try to access repressed memories and feelings

• by using free association

What is free association?

when a word or image triggers another idea, word, or image inside our head

What is the psychoynamic perspective usually used for?

• explore deep emotional issues like unresolved conflicts

• impact of early experiences on adult personality

What was one major criticism with the psychodynamic approach?

seeks to study something that is hidden and really can’t be studied

What approach developed as a rejection of the psychodynamic approach?

behaviorism

Who developed behaviorism?

John B. Watson, Ivan Pavlov, and B.F. Skinner

What is behaviorism?

this perspective believes psychology should be an objective science that focuses on studying observable behaviors without referencing the mental processes

What does behaviorism look at?

• emphasizes role of environment in changing behavior through reinforcement and punishment

• looks at how us as individuals model our behavior off of their actions and consequences

Where is behaviorism mainly used?

often used in therapy and education to modify behaviors through reinforcement

What is the sociocultural perspective?

focuses on a person’s experiences and influences in their life to better understand how culture shapes an individual

What does the sociocultural approach observe?

how an individual’s cultural norms (shared expectations and rules) often guide behaviors within a group

How is an individual’s behavior shaped by other societal expectations and individuals?

What benefits does the sociocultural approach provide?

provides insight into different behaviors across different cultures

What does the humanistic perspective believe in?

believes in our potential as humans to grow as individuals

Who led the humanistic perspective?

Carl Rogers, Abraham Maslow

How did the humanistic perspective come to be?

Rogers and Maslow believed behaviorism was too limited in its scope

What does the humanistic perspective focus on?

focuses on the differences of people and their personal growth

emphasizes free will and a person’s desire to move toward self-actualization

What is self-actualization?

when an individual is motivated to strive to reach their full potential

Why is the humanistic perspective used in therapy?

help individuals achieve personal growth and improve self-esteem

What does the cognitive perspective focus on?

focuses on how we as individuals interpret, process, and remember information

What does the cognitive perspective emphasize?

emphasizes how people process and store information and how this influences their behavior

What is a challenge of the cognitive perspective?

trying to study our thought processes in an objective and observable manner

many of our thoughts may be flawed or based on limited life experience or emotions

What is the cognitive perspective mainly used for?

mainly used in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

What does the biological perspective study?

studies the link between our biological and psychological processes

What specific body parts does the biological perspective focus on?

focuses on how behaviors and mental processes are influenced by the nervous system

What does the biological perspective allow us to better understand?

allows us to better understand different neurological conditions, mental disorders, and the effects of medication on behaviors

What is the biopsychosocial perspective?

focuses on how biological, psychological, and social factors are connected in understanding behavior and mental processes

combination of sociocultural perspective and biological perspective

Why is the biopsychosocial perspective often used in treatments?

encourages individuals to consider not just the biological aspects of the disease, but the patient’s emotional state and social environment

What does the evolutionary perspective focus on?

looks at how natural selection and adaptation influence behavior

Who suggested the evolutionary perspective and what did he believe?

Charles Darwin; argued our behaviors and bodies were shaped through natural selection

What can the evolutionary perspective help us understand?

help us understand where certain behaviors (e.g., fear responses) come from