Studying Behavior from Different Psychological Perspectives Psychologists can study a particular behavior, topic, or issue from different perspectives. Consider the heroic efforts of volunteer firefighters. These men and women may spend days and weeks on the fire line, working against an overwhelming force as well as their own exhaustion. Taking the biological perspective, a psychologist might study whether there are biological differences between volunteer firefighters and other people, such as the ability to stay calm and focused in the face of dangerous situations. A psychologist taking the behavioral perspective might look at how helping behaviors are learned and reinforced. And a psychologist who took the positive psychology perspective might study the motives that underlie the volunteers’ willingness to risk their lives in order to help others in their community.
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