the 6 psychological prespectives

Psychodynamic Perspective

Focuses on the unconscious mind and how early childhood experiences shape behavior, emphasizing the tension between conscious and unconscious motivations.

Id, Ego, Superego

Components of personality: the id is primal drives, the ego is rational, and the superego is the moral conscience.

Behavioral Perspective

Says behavior is learned from the environment, focusing on observable behaviors rather than internal mental states.

Classical Conditioning

A learning process where a neutral stimulus becomes associated with a meaningful stimulus, eliciting a conditioned response (e.g., Pavlov's dogs).

Operant Conditioning

The concept developed by B.F. Skinner that behaviors are strengthened or weakened through reinforcement or punishment.

Cognitive Perspective

Focuses on internal mental processes including memory, problem-solving, and thinking, which behaviorism neglects.

Hierarchy of Needs

Maslow's pyramid that illustrates the progression of human needs from basic (food, safety) to higher-level needs (self-actualization).

Humanistic Perspective

Emphasizes human potential and self-actualization, viewing people as inherently good and driven to grow.

Socio-Cultural Perspective

Examines how cultural and societal factors influence individual thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

Cultural-Historical Psychology

Vygotsky's theory highlighting the importance of social interactions in acquiring culturally specific thought processes.

Biological Perspective

Explains behavior through biological factors such as brain function, genetics, and the nervous system.

Biopsychology

Applies biological principles to mental processes and behaviors, linking brain functions to behavior.