Approaches in Psychology

Approaches in Psychology

Humanistic Approach

• Focuses on unique experiences and personal growth
• Emphasizes free will, human dignity, and self-actualization
• Key figures: Carl Rogers, Abraham Maslow
• Core assumptions:
  • People are inherently good and capable of self-directed change
  • Emphasis on subjective experience and personal values
  • Focus on present moment and future possibilities

Biological Approach

• Focuses on the role of genetics, neurotransmitters, and brain structure
• Emphasizes the physical and biological basis of behavior
• Key figures: Francis Crick, Eric Kandel
• Core assumptions:
  • Behavior is influenced by genetics and biological factors
  • Neurotransmitters and brain structure play a crucial role in behavior
  • Biological interventions (e.g., medication) can be effective in treating disorders

Cognitive Approach

• Focuses on mental processes, such as perception, attention, and memory
• Emphasizes the role of thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes in shaping behavior
• Key figures: Ulric Neisser, Albert Bandura
• Core assumptions:
  • Behavior is influenced by cognitive processes and mental representations
  • People can change their behavior by changing their thoughts and attitudes
  • Focus on information processing and mental representations

Behavioral Approach

• Focuses on observable behavior and environmental factors
• Emphasizes the role of learning and conditioning in shaping behavior
• Key figures: John B. Watson, B.F. Skinner
• Core assumptions:
  • Behavior is shaped by environment and external factors
  • Focus on observable behavior and measurable outcomes
  • Behavior can be changed through conditioning and reinforcement

Psychoanalytic Approach

• Focuses on the role of unconscious thoughts, feelings, and experiences
• Emphasizes the importance of early childhood experiences and relationships
• Key figures: Sigmund Freud, Erik Erikson
• Core assumptions:
  • Behavior is influenced by unconscious thoughts and feelings
  • Early childhood experiences shape adult behavior and personality
  • Focus on exploring unconscious conflicts and repressed emotions

Approaches in Psychology

Humanistic Approach

• Humanistic approach emphasizes human dignity, self-actualization, and free will
• Focuses on unique experiences, personal growth, and subjective experience
• Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow are key figures in this approach
• People are inherently good and capable of self-directed change, according to this approach
• Emphasizes personal values and the present moment

Biological Approach

• Biological approach attributes behavior to genetics, neurotransmitters, and brain structure
• Focuses on the physical and biological basis of behavior
• Francis Crick and Eric Kandel are key figures in this approach
• Behavior is influenced by genetics and biological factors, according to this approach
• Neurotransmitters and brain structure play a crucial role in behavior

Cognitive Approach

• Cognitive approach focuses on mental processes, such as perception, attention, and memory
• Emphasizes the role of thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes in shaping behavior
• Ulric Neisser and Albert Bandura are key figures in this approach
• Behavior is influenced by cognitive processes and mental representations
• People can change their behavior by changing their thoughts and attitudes

Behavioral Approach

• Behavioral approach focuses on observable behavior and environmental factors
• Emphasizes the role of learning and conditioning in shaping behavior
• John B. Watson and B.F. Skinner are key figures in this approach
• Behavior is shaped by environment and external factors, according to this approach
• Focus on observable behavior and measurable outcomes

Psychoanalytic Approach

• Psychoanalytic approach focuses on the role of unconscious thoughts, feelings, and experiences
• Emphasizes the importance of early childhood experiences and relationships
• Sigmund Freud and Erik Erikson are key figures in this approach
• Behavior is influenced by unconscious thoughts and feelings, according to this approach
• Early childhood experiences shape adult behavior and personality

Approaches in Psychology

Psychoanalytic Approach

• Focuses on unconscious thoughts, feelings, and experiences that shape behavior
• Emphasizes the significance of childhood experiences in developing personality and behavior
• Developed by Sigmund Freud, who introduced the concept of the "talking cure"
• Key concepts:
  • Structured personality into the Id, Ego, and Superego, with the Id seeking immediate gratification
  • Conscious and Unconscious mind, with the Unconscious influencing behavior
  • Defense mechanisms, such as repression and denial, to cope with stress and anxiety
  • Free association and dream analysis to uncover unconscious thoughts and feelings

Behavioral Approach

• Focuses on observable behavior and environmental factors that influence behavior
• Emphasizes the role of learning and conditioning in shaping behavior
• Developed by John B. Watson and B.F. Skinner, who introduced the concept of operant conditioning
• Key concepts:
  • Classical conditioning, as demonstrated by Ivan Pavlov's dogs, which associates stimuli with responses
  • Operant conditioning, which uses reinforcement, punishment, and extinction to modify behavior
  • Behavioral modification techniques, such as desensitization and shaping, to change behavior

Humanistic Approach

• Focuses on personal growth, self-actualization, and human dignity
• Emphasizes the role of conscious experience and subjective meaning in shaping behavior
• Developed by Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow, who emphasized empathy and unconditional positive regard
• Key concepts:
  • Self-actualization, the highest human need, which involves realizing one's full potential
  • Unconditional positive regard, which involves accepting and valuing individuals without judgment
  • Client-centered therapy, which emphasizes empathy and understanding in the therapeutic relationship

Biological Approach

• Focuses on the role of genetics, neurotransmitters, and brain structure in shaping behavior
• Emphasizes the biological basis of behavior and mental processes
• Key concepts:
  • Genetic influence on behavior, with certain traits and disorders having a genetic component
  • Neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine, which play a crucial role in mood regulation and motivation
  • Brain structure and function, with the cerebral cortex and limbic system involved in higher-order thinking and emotion regulation

Cognitive Approach

• Focuses on mental processes, such as perception, attention, and memory
• Emphasizes the role of information processing and cognitive biases in shaping behavior
• Developed by Ulric Neisser and others, who introduced the concept of cognitive biases
• Key concepts:
  • Information processing models, such as sensory memory and working memory, which explain how we process information
  • Cognitive biases and heuristics, such as confirmation bias and availability heuristic, which influence decision-making
  • Cognitive therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy, which target cognitive biases and distortions