Chapter 20. Psychology’s Current Perspectives

Learning Objectives

biopsychosocial approach
a way of thinking about behavior that acknowledges the interacting influences of a person’s biological foundation, inner psychological factors, and external social factors
Structures of the Eye
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Cognitive: The head has multiple colored gears within it Neuroscience: The head has an image of the brain within it. The brain has needles sticking into it at various positions Psychodynamic: The head resembles an iceberg with a line representing the water level drawn horizontally across the forehead. The head is divided into three parts: the ego, superego, and id. The id is on the neck. The ego and superego are next to each other and make up the head both above and below the water line Behavioral: The head consists of a maze with a rat running in it Evolutionary: The head contains five images horizontally. The first image is an ape and the last image is a man walking upright with a spear. The images between show the change in physical form from ape to human over time Behavior genetics: The head has an image of the brain within it. Over the brain is a double helix strand of DNA and two chromosome pairs Social-cultural: The head has the world map in blue and green overlaying it
Learning Objective:

Describe seven major perspectives on the study of behavior.

Review

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Review

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The figure is a pie graph with seven equal slices. The labels for the seven slices are psychology's current perspectives: behavioral, cognitive, social-cultural, neuroscience, evolutionary, behavior genetics, and psychodynamic

1. Psychology’s current perspectives are complementary rather than competing views on human behavior.

Review

concept_review

Review

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The figure is a flow chart with four labeled boxes linked by arrows. In the middle is a box for behavior and mental process. Flowing to this box from above is biological and psychological. Flowing to this box from below is social-cultural

2. Each perspective emphasizes a different aspect of the biopsychosocial approach—highlighting particular biological, psychological, or social-cultural influences on behavior.

Review

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Review

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3. Each perspective provides valuable insights, yet each by itself is incomplete. Each perspective is one piece in the larger puzzle of human behavior.

Practice: Complementary Perspectives

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Practice: Complementary Perspectives

Roll over each perspective to see a brief description.

Psychodynamic

Behavior genetics

Evolutionary

Neuroscience

Cognitive

Behavioral

Social-cultural

Distinctive view:

Behavior is influenced by unconscious conflicts and motives.

Genes and environment interact to produce individual differences in behavior.

Behavioral tendencies are passed on through genes molded by natural selection.

Behavior is controlled by the computations of neural networks.

Behavior is influenced by information that is perceived and remembered.

Behavior is shaped by rewards and punishments.

Behavior varies across situations and cultures.

Quiz

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Quiz

Drag each of psychology’s perspectives to the gray area in front of the appropriate description. When all the perspectives have been placed, select the CHECK ANSWER button.

Perhaps you should go back to review psychology’s perspectives.
Select the NEXT button and move to the Conclusion.
Neuroscience
Behavioral
Psychodynamic
Social-cultural
Evolutionary
Cognitive
Behavior genetics

Behavior is controlled by the computations of neural networks.

Behavior is shaped by rewards and punishments.

Behavior is influenced by unconscious conflicts and motives.

Behavior varies across situations and cultures.

Behavioral tendencies are passed on through genes molded by natural selection.

Behavior is influenced by information that is perceived and remembered.

Genes and environment interact to produce individual differences in behavior.

Conclusion

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Cognitive: The head has multiple colored gears within it Neuroscience: The head has an image of the brain within it. The brain has needles sticking into it at various positions Psychodynamic: The head resembles an iceberg with a line representing the water level drawn horizontally across the forehead. The head is divided into three parts: the ego, superego, and id. The id is on the neck. The ego and superego are next to each other and make up the head both above and below the water line Behavioral: The head consists of a maze with a rat running in it Evolutionary: The head contains five images horizontally. The first image is an ape and the last image is a man walking upright with a spear. The images between show the change in physical form from ape to human over time Behavior genetics: The head has an image of the brain within it. Over the brain is a double helix strand of DNA and two chromosome pairs Social-cultural: The head has the world map in blue and green overlaying it
Congratulations!
You have completed Psychology’s Current Perspectives.