PSYCHOLOGY 12

“What is a Perspective (School of Thought)?”

A perspective is a school of thought or a way of describing/viewing some phenomenon such as mental illness or behavior.

Every topic in psychology can be looked at in a number of different ways.

For example, consider the subject of aggression. Someone who emphasizes a

biological perspective would look at the how the brain and nervous system impact aggressive behavior, particularly the function of the amygdala and the role of hormones. A professional who stresses a behavioral perspective would look at how environmental variables reinforce aggressive actions. Another psychologist who utilizes a cross-cultural approach might consider how cultural and social influences contribute to aggressive or violent behaviors. etc

Your task is to research the 8 perspectives. This will enable you to start the class with some knowledge about the many ways psychologists examine behavior.

8 major perspectives in modern psychology

1. The Biological Perspective (Neuroscience)

2. The Behavioral Perspective

3. The Cognitive Perspective

4. The Social - Cultural Perspective

5. The Evolutionary Perspective

6. The Humanistic Perspective

7. The Psychodynamic Perspective

8. The Behavioral Genetics Perspective

Complete the following:

a. Research each perspective using one or more reliable and valid internet site. (APPsychology.com is a good site, as well as the APA website)

b. Define each perspective.

c. Write a “real life” example of each using a “real life” problem.

(You may have to research a bit to understand the concept enough to do this)

The problem should be something that a psychologist might study; examples include CBI (closed brain injury), amnesia, dating behavior, sibling rivalry, etc.

When you identify an issue, determine which perspective best explains it. Include any treatments that might be used by a clinician who adheres to the perspective.

You will have a total of 8 examples, one for each perspective.

Example:

a. Schizophrenia can be best described by the Biological (Neuroscience) perspective because research states that the ventricles of the human brain are larger in people with schizophrenia. Also, medication can help relieve many symptoms of the disorder, which is a treatment of the biological perspective.