psych chunk 4 - perceptive in psychology and ethics

Perspectives in Psychology

  • Biological perspective → behaviour linked to brain, genes, body systems

  • Psychodynamic perspective → unconscious drives and childhood experiences (Freud)

  • Behaviourist perspective → behaviour shaped by environment and learning (Watson, Skinner)

  • Cognitive perspective → focus on thinking, memory, problem solving

  • Humanistic perspective → free will, growth, and reaching potential (Rogers, Maslow)

  • Positive psychology → focus on strengths and well-being

  • Evolutionary perspective → behaviour shaped by survival and reproduction needs

Ethics in Psychology

Core principles:

  • Respect → value participants’ rights and dignity

  • Beneficence → protect participants, aim to help not harm

  • Justice → fairness in who is studied and how results are used

Rules in practice:

  • Informed consent → participants agree to join after knowing what’s involved

  • Protection from harm → keep participants safe (physical and mental)

  • Confidentiality → keep information private

  • Debriefing → explain the study afterward

Extra note:

  • Code of Ethics → rules set by groups like the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA)

  • Replication crisis → problem where many studies cannot be repeated with the same results