Seven Major Perspectives in Modern Psychology

Behavioral Psychology

• Focuses on learned behaviors; emphasizes observable actions over internal states.
• Diverges from other psychological perspectives by disregarding unobservable mental processes.

Cognitive Psychology

• Centers on mental processes like memory, thinking, language, and decision-making.
• Influenced by Jean Piaget and Albert Bandura; has gained prominence in recent decades.
• Utilizes an information-processing model, likening the human mind to a computer for processing information.

Evolutionary Psychology

• Examines how evolutionary principles, such as natural selection, inform physiological processes and psychological phenomena.
• Suggests mental processes have evolved because they enhance survival and reproductive success.

Humanistic Psychology

• Emerged in the 1950s with key figures like Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow.
• Emphasizes motivation's role in thought and behavior; central concepts include self-actualization and personal growth.
• Laid the groundwork for movements like positive psychology.

Neuroscience/Biological Psychology

• Highlights the physiological and biological foundations of behavior; also known as biopsychology.
• Investigates the influence of genetics, brain function, and the nervous system on behavior and personality.
• Advances in imaging techniques (MRI, PET scans) have enhanced understanding of brain function and behavior.

Psychodynamic Psychology

• Originated from Sigmund Freud's work, emphasizing the unconscious mind and early experiences.
• Identifies three components of the mind: id (primal desires), ego (reality orientation), and superego (moral standards).
• Psychoanalysis is a key method for understanding human behavior and treating mental disorders.

Sociocultural Psychology

• Studies human behavior through the lens of cultural differences, a growing field in recent decades.
• Analyzes how cultural contexts influence thoughts and behaviors, particularly in individualistic versus collectivistic cultures.
• Social loafing phenomenon identified in individualistic cultures contrasts with increased group effort in collectivistic cultures.