Contemporary Perspectives

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Contemporary Perspectives
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What is a perspective?

• What do you think???

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A Perspective

• is a conceptual framework to examine a given
  phenomenon.
• has a set of basic assumptions.
• Determines which methods (data collection,
  analysis) will be used to study a given
  phenomenon.
• Can also be referred to as an approach in
  psychology

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Perspectives in Psychology

• Biological
• Psychodynamic (Psychoanalytical)
• Behavioral
• Cognitive
• Humanistic
• Evolutionary
• Social-Cultural
• Biopsychosocial

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1. Biological Perspective

• Basic assumptions
• 1. Biology plays a role in behavior.
• 2. The physical body affects behavior and
  thought.

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Flaws with Biological

• 1. Factors unrelated to biology may influence
  thoughts and behaviors.
• E.g., environmental factors (life-style, abuse)
  may play role in some mental disorders
  (depression).
• 2. Multiple factors may influence thoughts and
  behaviors.

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2. Psychodynamic Perspective

• Argues that our behavior results from unconscious
  internal drives and conflicts.
• Conflicts are outside of our awareness (iceberg
  theory).

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Criticism of Psychodynamic

• 1.   Freud had no scientific data to support his
  theories.
• 2.   Freuds theories (unconscious, libido, etc.)
  cannot be observed.
• 3.   Theory explains behavior (post-hoc) after
  the fact.
• 4.    Observations not representative of
  population.

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3. Behavior Perspective

• Focuses on observable behaviors.
• Premiseabnormal behavior is learned!!
• Learning (classical operant conditioning,
  modeling)

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Criticisms of Behavior

• 1. Abnormal behavior not connected to particular
  learning experiences (schizophrenia).
• 2. Simplistic circular reasoning (Description as
  explanation).
• 3. Useful for treatment, but not as cause for
  most mental disorders.

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4. Evolutionary Perspective

• Focuses on the possible role of evolved
  psychological mechanisms (inherited tendencies
  shaped by evolution) in human behavior
• Looks at the way the mind works and why it works
  as it does.
• Behavior is seen as having an adaptive or
  survival value.

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Criticism of Evolutionary

• Too much attention paid to adaptations
• It is argued that this isnt really psychology,
  just an extension of biology
• This is a new theory and still fairly
  controversial

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5. Cognitive Perspective

• Premise- how our minds organize and interpret
  information
• Focuses on memory, intelligence, perception,
  problem solving, and learning

 
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Criticisms of Cognitive

• Depends on controlled experiments rather than
  real world
• Doesnt account for genetic factors like heredity

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6. Humanistic Perspective

• Theorists argue we are driven to self-actualize,
  that is, to fulfill our potential for goodness
  and growth.
• How we meet our needs for love and acceptance and
  achieve self-fulfillment.
• More from early roots of psychology in the field
  of philosophy.

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Criticism of Humanistic

• Concepts are too vague
• Subjective ideas are too hard to objectify (e.g.
  an experience that is real for one individual may
  not be real for another person)
• Not a real science because its too much
  common sense and not enough objectivity

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7. Social-cultural Perspective

• Focuses on the relationship between social
  behavior and culture.
• Social and cultural factors that can influence
  behavior

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8. Biopsychosocial (not a perspective but a
merging of several)

• Integrated approach using 3 main levels of
  analysis