Modern Psychological Perspectives

1. Modern Psychological Perspectives • A perspective is a way of viewing phenomena • Psychology has multipleperspectives: • Behavioral Perspective • Humanistic Perspective • Biological Perspective • Psychoanalytic Perspective • Cognitive Perspective • Evolutionary Perspective • Sociocultural Perspective http://www.freedigitalphotos.net/images/view_photog.php?photogid=809

2. Behavioral Perspective • This perspective began to account for behavior as a result of previous experiences. • Behaviorists believe: • observable behaviors. • behavior is shaped by learning. • surroundings are important • Behaviorists emphasizeNurture.

3. Behavioral Perspective • Important Behaviorists to remember: • Ivan Pavlov (1849 – 1936) • Nobel Prize winner 1904, physiology of digestion • Using a tuning fork (bell) and meat powder, Pavlov was able to condition dogs to salivate at a sound – a Conditioned Response. http://www.massey.ac.nz/~wwpapajl/evolution/assign2/TM/Pavlov2.html

4. More behaviorists • Important Behaviorists to remember: • John B. Watson (1878 – 1958) • All behaviors the result of conditioning and occurs because of stimulus in the environment . • Human beings have No Free Will . • Controversial experiment on environment and “Little Albert.” http://www.all-about-psychology.com/little-albert.html

5. More behaviorists • Important Behaviorists to remember: • B.F. Skinner (1904-1990) • American psychologist at Harvard • studied learning and effect of reinforcement • Walden II – utopian community • Applied his ideaswithin the realmof advertisingand business. http://www.thebirdman.org/Index/Others/Others-Doc-ConspiracyTheory&NWO/+Doc-ConspiracyTheory-MindControl-SoftCore-Media&Schools/BrainwashingAmerica-Livergood.htm

6. More behaviorists • Important Behaviorists to remember: • Edward L. Thorndike (1874 – 1949) • First to conduct systematicinvestigation of animal behavior. • positive and negativereinforcement https://behavioranalysishistory.pbworks.com/w/page/37201686/1910s

7. More behaviorists • Important Behaviorists to remember: • Albert Bandura –behaviorist • Stressed modeling- Humans learn through watching and imitating examples. • Example – TV violence and impact on society http://students.cis.uab.edu/sarahlr/bandura.html

8. Humanistic Perspective • Humanistic Psychology – • This perspective believes that behavior is based on the need to grow and reach one’s full potential, called self-actualization • Stresses that human nature is active and creative, not just reactive. • Humans can change their environment. http://izettl.hubpages.com/hub/Positive-Psychology-Hope-for-a-Good-New-Year

9. Humanistic Perspective • Important Humanists to Know • Carl Rogers (1902 – 1987) • Emphasized the concept of Free Will and choice in human behavior. • Believed that people become anxious and unhappy if they are prevented from self-actualization. http://cgjj.wikispaces.com/Theory

10. More Humanists • Important Humanists to Know • Abraham Maslow (1908 – 1970) • Needs Hierarchy • Self-actualization (becoming all we can be) is the highpoint of human motivation. • Basis of modern management/organizational behavior theory http://www.abraham-maslow.com/m_motivation/Hierarchy_of_Needs.asp

11. Biological Perspective • This perspective studies the physiological mechanisms in the brain , endocrine and nervous system that organize and control behavior • The focus may be • individual neurons • areas of the brain • specific functions like eating, emotion or learning http://psychcentral.com/news/2010/06/04/teen-brain-wired-for-risk/14296.html

12. Psychoanalytic Perspective • This perspective evolved from the work of Sigmund Freud • Some books and resources call this the psychodynamic perspective • behavior reflects combinations of conscious and unconscious influences • drives and urges within the unconscious component of mind influence thought and behavior • early childhood experiences shape unconscious motivations http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/learning-play/200912/new-years-resolutions-psychoanalytic-perspective

13. Cognitive Perspective • This perspective examines how knowledge is acquired, organized, remembered, and used to guide behavior. http://klik-4all.blogspot.com/2011/05/cognitive-perspective.html

14. Cognitive Perspective • Important people to remember: • Jean Piaget (1896 – 1980) • studied intellectual development • described how infants, children, and adolescents use different cognitive abilities to make sense of the world. http://www.buzzle.com/articles/jean-piagets-theory.html

15. Cognitive Perspective • Important people to remember: • Noam Chomsky (b. 1928) • studied language acquisition • Theorized that humans have an innateabilityto learn language. http://citelighter-cards.s3.amazonaws.com/p16nao79mq1rc41hpj1djt1gst1l7t0_33236.jpg

16. Evolutionary Psychology • This perspective uses the ideas of evolution to explain human behaviors. • Natural selection is a key factor in determining human behavior. http://homepage.psy.utexas.edu/homepage/deptarea/idep/

17. Sociocultural Psychology • This perspective studies the psychological differences among people living in different cultural groups and social situations. • How are people’s thoughts, feelings and behavior influenced by their culture? • What are the common elements across culture? Are these innate? http://smu.edu/education/CCCD/conceptualframework.asp

18. The Profession of Psychology • The American Psychological Association has more than 50 divisions. • Some represent areas of training and specialization (e.g., developmental, clinical) • Some are applied (i.e., teaching in psychology, psychology and the law) http://www.apa.org/careers/resources/guides/careers.aspx

19. * *This reflects the British system of post secondary degrees. http://www.epsychologist.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Careers-in-Psychology-.jpg

20. Areas of Specialization • Clinical • Studies abnormal behavior and psychological disorders • A psychologist has a masters or doctorate degree in psychology. • A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who focuses his/her practice on the biological bases of behavior. http://0.tqn.com/d/psychology/1/0/6/8/psychologist.jpg

21. Areas of Specialization • Health psychologist • Studies psychological factors in physical health • Counseling psychologist • Helps people deal with normal life situations • Helps to provide guidance http://www.buzzle.com/articles/clinical-psychologist-salary-range.html

22. Areas of Specialization • Developmental Psychologist • Studies psychological changes over the life span • Subfields include social, cognitive, and personality http://www.griffith.edu.au/health/school-applied-psychology/future-students/learning-about-my-profession

23. Areas of Specialization • School Psychologist • Provides counseling and guidance in school settings • Educational Psychologist • Conducts research to improve student learning and teaching techniques http://www.weac.org/professional_resources/great_schools/news_and_articles/2004-2005/psychologists.aspx

24. Areas of Specialization • Psychobiologist • Studies the brain and behavior at many levels. • The field often uses animals as research models http://wwwm.coventry.ac.uk/researchnet/CNaP/Pages/CognitionNeuroscienceandPsychobiologyCNaP.aspx

25. Areas of Specialization • Experimental Psychologists • Basic laboratory focus • Conducts experiments involving both animals and humans • Areas of focus include learning, memory, and motivation http://tweetymom.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/lab-mice.jpg

26. Areas of Specialization • Cognitive Psychologists • Mainly pursue an experimental approach • Areas of research include human memory, perception, etc. http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/Psychology/cognitive/

27. Areas of Specialization • Social Psychologists • Study social influences on cognition and emotion • Areas include the foundations of specific attitudes and beliefs http://highered.mcgraw-hill.com/sites/0073531898/information_center_view0/

28. Areas of Specialization • Personality psychologists • Examine individual differences in people and their behavior • Also includes differences in perception by others http://www.makingthemodernworld.org.uk/learning_modules/psychology/02.TU.04/?section=11

29. Areas of Specialization • Industrial/organizational Psychologists • Study people and work • Improve job satisfaction • Design training and selection programs http://georgetowncollege.edu/Departments/psychology/mckenzie/psych365.htm

30. Areas of Specialization • Many other areas and subfields are continually evolving. • For the most recent list of career possibilities, search the American Psychological Association.