Major Psychological Theories Overview

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Questions and Answers

Which psychological perspective focuses exclusively on observable behaviors and their environmental influences?

  • Cognitive
  • Psychodynamic
  • Humanistic
  • Behavioral (correct)

What concept is central to behavioral psychology?

  • Self-actualization
  • Unconscious drives
  • Conditioning (correct)
  • Internal mental states

Which of the following is NOT a primary focus of cognitive psychology?

  • Conditioning of behavior (correct)
  • Problem-solving
  • Internal mental states
  • Decision-making

In cognitive psychology, the human mind is sometimes compared to what?

<p>A computer (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do cognitive theories emphasize as essential for perceiving and responding to the world?

<p>Internal thoughts (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of these psychologists is best associated with behavioral psychology?

<p>John B. Watson (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What major shift did cognitive psychology introduce in the study of human behavior?

<p>A focus on internal mental processes (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A therapist uses rewards and punishments to modify a client's behavior. Which approach are they most likely using?

<p>Behavioral (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do cognitive schemas primarily influence?

<p>The interpretation of new information (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which therapeutic approach is rooted in cognitive psychology theories?

<p>Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a core focus of humanistic psychology theories?

<p>The basic goodness of human beings and their growth potential (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which term from humanistic psychology refers to accepting individuals without conditions?

<p>Unconditional positive regard (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What do psychodynamic theories primarily examine?

<p>Unconscious concepts and their influence on behavior (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Who is most closely associated with psychodynamic theories?

<p>Sigmund Freud (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to psychodynamic theory, where do thoughts, urges, and memories that we're not aware of reside?

<p>The unconscious (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which perspective emphasizes a holistic approach, viewing individuals as more than just the sum of their parts?

<p>Humanistic psychology (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Schemas

Mental structures that help us organize and interpret information. They act like mental frameworks.

Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

A type of therapy based on cognitive psychology that focuses on changing thoughts to improve behavior and emotional well-being.

Humanistic Psychology

A school of thought in psychology that emphasizes the inherent goodness of human beings and their potential for growth.

Carl Rogers

Key figure in humanistic psychology who emphasized the importance of unconditional positive regard, a non-judgmental acceptance of others.

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Self-Actualization

The process of becoming the best version of oneself by fulfilling one's potential.

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Holistic Approach

A comprehensive approach that views the whole individual as a complex system, rather than focusing on individual parts.

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The Unconscious

Thoughts, desires, memories, and feelings that are hidden from our conscious awareness.

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Psychodynamic Theories

A school of thought in psychology that investigates the influence of unconscious processes on behavior, emotions, and personality.

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Behavioral Theory

A theory of learning that emphasizes how behaviors are learned through conditioning, focusing on environmental interactions and associations, rewards, and punishments.

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Cognitive Theory

The internal mental processes involved in how individuals process information, make decisions, solve problems, and think.

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Behaviorism

The theory that all behaviors are learned through conditioning, emphasizing environmental interactions and associations, rewards, and punishments.

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John B. Watson

A prominent psychologist known for his contributions to behaviorism, including the famous 'Little Albert' experiment.

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B.F. Skinner

A renowned psychologist known for his work on operant conditioning, emphasizing reinforcement and punishment in shaping behavior.

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Behavioral Techniques

Psychological techniques used in therapy to help individuals learn new skills and behaviors based on principles of conditioning.

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Decision-making

The process of choosing between different options, considering variables like options, preferences, and consequences.

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Cognitive Psychological Theories

Theories that emphasize the role of thoughts and cognitive processes in understanding individuals' perceptions, responses, and interactions.

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Study Notes

5 Major Psychological Theories

  • Five major types of psychological theories exist: behavioral, cognitive, humanistic, psychodynamic, and biological.
  • Each theory offers a different perspective on understanding, explaining, and predicting human thought and behavior.

Behavioral Theories

  • Also known as behaviorism.
  • Focuses on learned behaviors through conditioning (associations, rewards, and punishments).
  • Ignores internal mental processes.
  • Key figures include John B. Watson and B.F. Skinner.
  • Widely used therapeutically to help clients learn new skills.

Cognitive Theories

  • Focus on internal mental states (motivation, problem-solving, thinking, etc.).
  • Explain how the mind processes information, leading to certain emotions and behaviors.
  • Suggests the human mind functions like a computer, processing, storing, retrieving, and using information.

Humanistic Theories

  • Grew popular in the 1950s.
  • Emphasizes the inherent goodness of humans and their drive for growth and self-actualization.
  • Takes a holistic approach, viewing individuals as more than just the sum of their parts.
  • Key theorists include Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow (hierarchy of needs).
  • Focuses on unconditional positive regard.

Psychodynamic Theories

  • Examines the unconscious (thoughts, urges, emotions, memories) and how it shapes behavior.
  • Believes unconscious processes influence emotions, attitudes, and personalities.
  • Seek to understand the root causes of unconscious behavior.
  • Associated with Sigmund Freud and his followers (id, ego, superego).

Biological Theories

  • Attributes human emotions and behavior to biological causes.
  • A perspective related to the nature versus nurture debate.
  • Emphasizes evolution, genetics, and the role of the brain in psychological processes.
  • Proposes that bodily injuries or inherited factors can cause specific behaviors.
  • Associated with Charles Darwin.

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