Theories
Psychology
Different Approaches to Psychology
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Biopsychiological
Behavioural
Psychoanalytic
Humanistic
Cognitive
Sociocultural
Biopsychological Approach
• A field of psychology that deals with the effects of
biological factors on behavior.
Biopsychological Approach
• Looks at the body to explain the mind
-How much of your personality is inherited?
-Is there a gene for suicide?
-Does mental stress cause physical illness?
• The nature side of the debate
Biopsychological Approach
• People react and feel certain ways because of the
physical changes they go through
• This approach gives psychology scientific credit
Behavioural Approach
• The idea that people’s behaviour is the product of
learning and association
Behavioural Approach
• Think about all the people you have ever come into
contact with…
• This approach seeks to understand people by
studying what happens to them and how they
respond.
Behavioural Approach
• Concerned with the observable and measurable
aspects of human behavior.
• Life events can affect how people behave and
respond
• Contributes to a sociological aspect of psychology
Behaviour Changing
Responsible for behaviour modification , a process of
shaping someone's behaviour by consistently
rewarding the desired actions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mt4N9GS
BoMI
Psychoanalytic Approach
• A system that views the individual as a product of
unconscious forces.
• Views behaviour as driven by powerful mental
conflicts locked deep within the subconscious.
Psychoanalytic Approach
• See psychological problems as rooted in the
unconscious mind.
• Typical causes include unresolved issues during
development or repressed trauma.
Psychoanalytical Approach
• Treatment focuses on bringing the repressed conflict to
consciousness, bringing “insight”
• Psychology has an aspect of fascination.
• Gives therapists a job to help people understand what
they do not know about themselves.
Humanistic Approach
• The idea that people are naturally good, and if left to
their own devices , they will strive to become the
best they can be.
• We are in control of our destinies and all of us can
make our lives worth while.
Humanistic Approach
• People have a natural need for fulfillment, and
an ultimate motivation to become “selfactualized”
Humanistic Approach
• To reach your full human potential, your most basic
needs have to be met first.
-You may not do as well on a test if you are hungry. You need to
satisfy your physical need of hunger before you can succeed on
the psychological demands of your school work.
Humanistic Approach
• Humanists encourage therapists to look at how
people perceive their experiences—rather than
focusing on the experiences themselves.
• Psychology is there to help us feel comfortable with
ourselves
Cognitive Approach
• The study of peoples ability to acquire, organize,
remember, and use knowledge to guide behaviour.
• We react to our environment, but we also solve
problems, consider options and make decisions.
Cognitive Approach
• Revolves around the notion that if we want to know
what makes people tick then we need to understand
the internal processes of their mind
Cognitive Approach
• Our personalities are (to some extent) made up of
the conversations that go on in you mind.
• Cognitivists believe that we should learn to replace
these sentences with useful ones and it will impact
how you do things.
Sociocultural Approach
• Views behaviour as being strongly influenced by the
rules and expectations of specific social groups and
cultures.
• Media, education, criminal justice system, family,
friends etc..
Sociocultural Approach
• We do what we do because we are influenced
by specific ethnic, racial, and religious groups
-Why do eating disorders only occur in countries like the united
states?
• All human beings have minds, but each culture
produces a different vision.
Sociocultural Approach
• Our culture influences how we think, feel and act.
• Psychological treatment will depend on your cultural
background (individual vs groups)
Psychological Theories
• Each perspective offers valuable insights in to human
nature and how we think and behave
• Psychologists today value each unique contribution
How would each theory look at
alcoholism?
Biopsychiological
Behavioural
Psychoanalytic
Humanistic
Cognitive
Sociocultural
Theory
Studying Alcohol Abuse
Biopsychological
Is alcoholism a disease? What role does heredity
play? How does alcohol affect the brain?
Behaviourism
Is alcoholism learned? Can it be unlearned? Can
new habits replace drinking habits?
Psychoanalysis
Is heavy drinking an indication of some conflict
raging in the unconscious? Does drinking allow
unconscious desires to surface?
Humanism
Do people drink because they do not feel a sense
of worth? Does alcohol provide false esteem?
Cognitive
What thoughts lead up to episodes of heavy
drinking? If analyzed, can drinking patterns be
changed?
Sociocultural
How does alcoholism differ among cultures? What
societal pressures might cause alcohol abuse?
Analysis
Maria wants to ask for a raise, but becomes uncontrollably
anxious every time she even gets near her boss.
Biopsychiological
Behavioural
Psychoanalytic
Humanistic
Cognitive
Sociocultural
??Using the six approaches we discussed, briefly
describe how each might explain the simple
behaviour??
Theory
What Explains this Behaviour?
Biopsychological
Maria has little control over how her body reacts
in this situation. A similar situation in the past
probably caused an extreme reaction. What
other physiological reactions is Maria
experiencing besides anxiety?
Behaviourism
The environment has actually caused Maria to
feel anxious. If her boss or other authority figures
had awarded her in the past, she would now
have little difficulty approaching her boss.
Humanism
Maria is potentially a good person, but she does
not seem to realize this. With some
encouragement from her boss, she might realize
the inner strength she already possess.
Psychoanalysis
Marias uneasiness with her boss probably
represents hidden anxiety towards someone else
in her past. There is an unconscious effect that is
making her nervous.
Cognitive
Maria is probably telling herself that she is inferior
and that she does not deserve a raise. She
should change her thinking. What thoughts
about her boss make her anxious?
Sociocultural
In a culture with increased social media, Maria
never learned how to have real conversations
and has avoided talking to adults in a serious
manner.
What about YOU?
• Think about YOU and how you see your world
and how you make decisions.
• Which of the Psychological Approaches do you
feel most reflects why YOU do what YOU do?
• Explain WHY, giving an example in your life as
a teenager.
Should be complete sentences.