Perspectives in Psychology
Major approaches to the study of presentday psychology
BIOLOGICAL (Neuroscience)
Examining behavior in terms of physical
changes that take place in the body
Brain chemistry, physiology
SOCIOCULTURAL
Behavior strongly influenced by rules and
expectations of specific social groups
Cultural Influence, social pressures
HUMANISTIC
Environment and human nature work
together to mold behavior
Inner world, sense of self, personal growth,
internal strength, patient understanding,
positive psychology
Major approaches (perspectives or “lenses”)
to the study of present-day psychology
EVOLUTIONARY
How the natural selection of traits promotes
the perpetuation of one’s genes
Evolution’s influence on behavioral
tendencies-Darwin
BEHAVIORAL
Past associations and the environment are
strongest influences on behavior
Learned habits, reinforcement
and consequences
PSYCHOANALYTIC
Behavior is controlled by impulses below the
surface of consciousness
Sex, aggression, conflict, guilt, The
Unconscious
COGNITIVE
Behavior is a product of internal thought
processes
Thinking, logic
Notes about perspectives
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Think of them as “lenses” through which you view issues in psychology
No one perspective is better than another
Many psychology use multiple perspectives to view issues
Some psychologists focus more on some perspectives than others
During year 1 of the IB course, we will focus on three: biological,
sociocultural, and cognitive
Ways To View Behavior - A Case Study
● Read Part A of the Approaches to Perspectives in Psychology document
with a partner
● Note that they only include 5 of the 7 perspectives!
● Use the information in Part A to complete part B (Billy’s case study)
● When you are done, find one other pair and discuss your findings. What
lense did you choose to analyze his situation? Why?
Andrea Yates Murder Trial
Guilty or Not Guilty?
What perspective best explains her behavior?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zX30Kl2SVAM
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Cognitive
Biological
Social-Cultural
Behavioral
Psychoanalytic
Humanistic
Why not Evolutionary?
Andrea Yates Murder Trial
What perspective best explains her behavior?
Cognitive: Mental functioning – she thought she was possessed by the devil and
her children were not developing properly
Biopsychological (neuroscience): biological defect, bipolar diagnosis,
neurotransmitter problems, postpartum depression, or mood disorder that runs in
the family
Social-Cultural: Family dynamics, husband and extended family not supportive
Behavioral: learned response, negative environmental influences
Psychoanalytic: childhood conflicts or trauma results in unconscious forces
prevailing
Humanistic: Lost faith in self as a mother, hopelessness