Psychology Perspectives Overview

What main concept do psychologists of the evolutionary perspective focus on regarding behavior?

How might a social-cultural psychologist explain differing behavioral norms across cultures?

What would a psychoanalytic perspective likely focus on to understand Stewie’s desire to harm his mother?

Which contemporary perspective would analyze the desire to kill from a neuroscience standpoint?

What does the behavioral perspective emphasize when evaluating human actions?

Which perspective focuses primarily on observable behaviors?

Which perspective explains behavior strictly in terms of biological processes?

According to the Cognitive Perspective, what is crucial to understanding behavior?

Which psychological perspective was developed primarily by Sigmund Freud?

What aspect of behavior would a behaviorist focus on when addressing nail-biting?

Psychoanalytic Perspective

Developed by Sigmund Freud
Focuses on unconscious processes
Theories are not based on experimental evidence
Key figures: Sigmund Freud, Carl Jung, Karen Horney, and Alfred Adler

Behavioral Perspective

Focuses on observable behavior
Claims heredity and genetics are unimportant
Emphasizes punishments and rewards
Key figures: Ivan Pavlov, John Watson, B.F. Skinner, and Albert Bandura

Humanist Perspective

Emerged as a reaction to behaviorism
Revisits the importance of consciousness
Focus on self-actualization and personal growth
Key figures: Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers

Cognitive Perspective

Focuses on mental processes: interpretation, processing, and remembering
Examines how our mental rules shape our thoughts and behavior
Key figures: Jean Piaget and Noam Chomsky

Biopsychology Perspective

Aims to explain thought and behavior through biological processes
Focus on genes, hormones, and neurotransmitters in the brain

Examines how culture influences thoughts and behaviors
Identifies variations between cultures
Key figures: Solomon Asch, Stanley Milgram, and Philip Zimbardo

Evolutionary Perspective

Suggests all behavior reflects the process of natural selection
Claims psychological traits beneficial for survival are passed on
Key figures: Charles Darwin and Sir Francis Galton

This quiz explores five major perspectives in psychology: Psychoanalytic, Behavioral, Humanist, Cognitive, and Biopsychology. Each perspective highlights different approaches to understanding human thought and behavior along with key figures associated with each theory. Test your knowledge on these foundational concepts of psychology.