Modern Psychology Perspectives

The Big

Learning Target: Compare and contrast the seven major psychological perspectives.

Why do we do the things we do?

Why do we think the way we do?

Levels of Analysis – Biopsychosocial Model

EvolutionaryCharles Darwin – Inherited behaviors,

ensure survivalDavid Buss & Francis Galton – Genes

control behavior

Biological (Neuroscience)William JamesHow our body and brain create

memories, emotions, & sensory experiences

How genes interact w/environmentParts of the brain, nervous system

PsychodynamicFounded by Sigmund FreudUnconscious desires and urges drive

our behaviorConflicts from childhood

Behavioral (Learning)John Watson, B.F. SkinnerFocuses on OBSERVABLE behaviorsHow we learn behaviors

◦ Associations◦ Rewards & punishments◦ Observation

How to change or modify behaviors

CognitiveWilhelm Wundt, Jean Piaget, Herman

EbbinghausFocuses on mental processesHow we encode, process, store, &

retrieve infoPerception of the world around us

HumanisticFocuses on positive growth (get in

touch with our emotions)People are good by nature and have

free willMotivated to reach self-actualizationControl over choices

Abraham Maslow Carl Rogers

Socio-CulturalHow our behavior & thoughts are

influenced by society & culture

Even in the same high school, behaviors can change in accordance to the various subcultures.

Individualist v. CollectivistVariable Individualist Collectivist

Personal Identity Separate from others

Connected to others

Major Goals Self-defined; be unique; realize your personal potential; compete with others

Defined by others; belong; occupy your proper place; meet your obligations to others; be like others

Criteria for self-esteem

Ability to express unique aspects of the self; ability to be self-assured

Ability to restrain the self and be part of a social unit; ability to be modest

Sources of success and failure

Success comes from personal effort; failure, from external factors

Success is due to help from others; failure is due to personal faults

Major frame of reference

Personal attitudes, traits, and goals

Family, work group

Apply the PerspectivesHow would each approach

interpret alcoholism?How would each approach

interpret depression?How would each approach

interpret eating disorders?