Psychology’s Perspectives The Big Seven

Neuroscience Perspective  Focus on how the physical body and brain creates our emotions, memories and sensory experiences.

If you could not remember the names of your parents and went to a psychologist who adheres to the neuroscience perspective, what might they say?

Evolutionary Perspective     Focuses on Darwinism.

We behave the way we do because we inherited those behaviors.

Thus, those behaviors must have helped ensure our ancestors survival.

Mother nature practicing selective breeding How could this behavior ensured Homer’s ancestors survival?

Psychodynamic Perspective  Fathered by Sigmund Freud.

 Our behavior comes from unconscious drives.

What might a psychoanalyst say is the reason someone always needs to be chewing gum?

 Usually stemming from our childhood.

Behavioral Perspective   Focuses on our OBSERVABLE behaviors.

Only cares about the behaviors that impair our living, and attempts to change them.

If you bit your fingernails when you were nervous, a behaviorist would not focus on calming you down, but rather focus on how to stop you from biting your nails.

BEHAVIORISTS

  How people learn Rewards and punishment John B. Watson

Cognitive Perspective     Focuses on how we think (or encode information) How do we see the world?

How did we learn to act to sad or happy events?

Cognitive Therapist attempt to change the way you think.

Meet girl Or get back on the horse Get Rejected by girl Did you learn to be depressed

Social-Cultural Perspective  Focus on how your culture effects your behavior.

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

Humanistic Perspective    Focuses on positive growth Attempt to seek self-actualization Therapists use active listening and unconditional positive regard.

Mr. Rogers would have made a great Humanistic Therapist!!!

Approaches cont.

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HUMANISTIC PSYCHOLOGY

  people try to achieve their maximum potential (self actualization) Promote health and self-growth

What Approach is Best?

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What perspectives should we consider throughout this class?

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ECLECTIC

 Combination of approaches  Some topics/issues have become dominated by a certain approach, so this will lead our thinking, but all should be in our considerations.

Apply Perspectives to Case Study:  Application Andrea Yates  Other applications – test anxiety, autism