Psychology Perspectives Notes

Defining Psychology

• Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior.

Approaches to Psychology

Behavioral

• Focuses on observable human behavior.

• Emphasizes the impact of the environment on behavior and the influence of genetics/biology.

• Avoids focus on the mind and mental processes.

• Key Figures:

  • John B. Watson: We are products of learning and the choices we make.

  • B.F. Skinner: Focused on behavioral consequences in the environment, such as rewards vs. punishments and schedules of reinforcement.

Cognitive

• Goal: To understand how behavior is affected by ways of thinking.

• Focuses on how information is processed, mentally represented, and stored.

• Includes perception, thinking, memory, attention, language, problem-solving, and learning.

• Internal dialogue and its impact on personality (BIG FIVE MODEL).

• Examples: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

Humanistic

• Believes that people’s behavior and mental processes are guided by their view of the world and predispositions to think and act.

• People are inherently good.

• Values individual differences vs. general rules/laws.

• Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: Self-actualization and purpose motive.

• Carl Rogers: Self-concept and unconditional love.