perspectives in psychology
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Powerpoint CSU Psychology courseTRANSCRIPT
Presentation prepared by
Dr Janet DicksonSwinburne University
of Technology
Psychology: the study of mental processes and
behaviour
Presentation prepared by
Dr Janet DicksonSwinburne University
of Technology
Chapter 1 - Psychology: The study ofmental processes and behaviour
Learning objectives• Define psychology• Discuss the contributions of biopsychology • Outline the history of psychology• Distinguish among the major theoretical perspectives in
psychology• Discuss the educational requirements for psychologists and
outline their most common work settings.• Understand how to study effectively
Presentation prepared by
Dr Janet DicksonSwinburne University
of Technology
Perspectives in psychology
• Any psychological issue can be approached using a number of perspectives.
• We can be biased in our perspectives.• A paradigm is a broad system of theoretical
assumptions employed by a scientific community.• Psychology lacks a unified paradigm but has a number
of schools of thought or “ism’s”
Presentation prepared by
Dr Janet DicksonSwinburne University
of Technology
Psychodynamic perspective
• The psychodynamic view posits that conscious and unconscious forces interact to control our thoughts and behaviours.– Mental processes can be in conflict, resulting in
anxiety.– Iceberg metaphor.
• Meanings of speech and dreams sought• Data collected through case studies to
understand thoughts, feelings and actions.
Presentation prepared by
Dr Janet DicksonSwinburne University
of Technology
Behaviourist perspective
• The behaviourist view is that environmental stimuli control behaviour through learning.
• The behaviour of humans (and animals) can be understood without reference to internal states such as thoughts or feelings.
• Stimuli become associated through conditioning– Classical conditioning– Operant conditioning
Presentation prepared by
Dr Janet DicksonSwinburne University
of Technology
Behaviourist perspective
• Seeks to understand the relations between stimuli and behaviour through the experimental method.
• Data is quantitative empirical data that can be analysed statistically and replicated.
Presentation prepared by
Dr Janet DicksonSwinburne University
of Technology
Humanistic perspective
• The humanistic perspective focuses on the uniqueness of the individual and that people are motivated to reach their full potential (self-actualisation).
• The metaphor for the humanistic perspective is that people are innately good and will strive to realise goals and ambitions.
• The humanistic perspective is person-centred
Presentation prepared by
Dr Janet DicksonSwinburne University
of Technology
Cognitive perspective
• The cognitive view focuses on how people process, store and retrieve information
• The metaphor for the cognitive perspective is that the mind is like a computer (information processing model).
• Uses experimental methods to infer mental processes at work
Presentation prepared by
Dr Janet DicksonSwinburne University
of Technology
Evolutionary perspective
• Evolutionary view is that human behaviours evolved because they helped our ancestors survive and reproduce.
• Some behaviours are biologically determined (e.g., the impulse to eat, sexual impulses).
• Sociobiology:– Natural selection operates on psychological functions
and social behaviour as well as physical functions.
Presentation prepared by
Dr Janet DicksonSwinburne University
of Technology
Evolutionary perspective
• The metaphor for the evolutionary perspective is that ‘we are all runners in a race, competing for resources…’
• Gather information through deductive methods with more recent use of experimentation.
• Often start with a known behaviour in a species and attempt to explain it on the basis of evolutionary principles.
Evolutionary perspective example: grandparental investment
Figure 1.6
Presentation prepared by
Dr Janet DicksonSwinburne University
of Technology
Contributions of the psychological perspectives
• Psychodynamic psychology: focus on unconscious processes, conflict, and early experiences
• Behavioural psychology: focus on learning (behaviour modified by consequences)
• Humanistic psychology: focus on the unique individual and motivation to achieve goals
• Cognitive psychology: focus on thought and memory• Evolutionary psychology: focus on why we feel, think or
behave