Perspective Theorist Main Idea Questions Asked

PSY 111: Introduction to Psychology Learning Unit 1: Handout

Current Perspectives in Psychology

Perspective Theorist Main Idea Questions Asked Biopsychosocial Examines the biological, What biological, and psychological, and social factors influence sociocultural factors the way I manage my influencing behavior. allergy to tree pollen? Sociocultural Mamie Phillips Clark Understanding behavior How do cultures differ in Lev Vygotsky by examining influences their attitude towards of other people and the nature? larger culture. Cognitive George Miller Renewed focus on How am I able to mental processes, remember where my including psychological favorite tree is in the explanations. woods? Evolutionary Charles Darwin Use knowledge about Is my fear of heights evolutionary forces to inherited? Could this fear understand behavior. have something to do with my survival? Psychoanalytic Sigmund Freud Interested in abnormal How do your feelings functioning and about the size of a tree unconscious thought; relate to your personality is shaped by unconscious aggression unconscious conflict. towards your brother? Humanistic Carl Rodgers Interested in free will If I climb this tree how Abraham Maslow and conscious choice as will I feel and will I be essential aspects of fulfilled? human nature. Behavioral B.F. Skinner Interested in studying Is spending time relaxing Ivan Pavlov only behavior that can be under a tree reinforced? John Watson observed and measured. If yes, I will come back again. Structuralism Edward Titchner Used reports of Describe in detail each Margaret Floy Washburn subjective experience element of this tree, (introspection) to including color, shape, describe the structure of size, leaf size, etc. the mind. Biological Use knowledge about How do my eyes and underlying physiology to brain work together to explain behavior and sense and perceive a mental processes. tree? Functionalism Mary Whiton Calkins Interested in how the How does resting under William James mind functions to help us a tree promote my long- adapt and survive. term survival?