InRev1
APPROACHES TO PSYCHOLOGY
Approach
Characteristics
Biological
Emphasizes activity of the nervous system,
especially of the brain; the action of hormones and other
chemicals; and genetics.
Evolutionary
Emphasizes the ways in which behavior and
mental processes are adaptive for survival.
Psychodynamic
Emphasizes internal conflicts, mostly unconscious, which usually
pit sexual or aggressive instincts against environmental obstacles
to their expression.
Behavioral
Emphasizes learning, especially each person’s experience
with rewards and punishments.
Cognitive
Emphasizes mechanisms through which people
receive, store, retrieve, and otherwise process information.
Humanistic
Emphasizes individual potential for growth and the role of unique
perceptions in guiding behavior and mental processes.
L1
LINKAGES
to
Introducing Psychology
PERCEPTION
Can subliminal
messages help you
lose weight (p.141)
TREATMENT OF
PSYCHOLOGICAL
DISORDERS
Does psychotherapy
work? (p. 582)
SOCIAL INFLUENCE
What makes some
people so aggresive?
(p. 647)
Tab1_2
Variable
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; be self-assured
Ability to restrain the self
and be part of a social
unit; be self- effacing
Sources of success
and failure
Success comes from
personal effort,
failure from external
factors
Success due to help from
others; failure due to
personal faults
Major frame of reference
Personal attitudes, traits,
and goals
Family, work group