Warm Up On your note card: Do you think your personality is shaped by past experiences and cannot change? Or do you feel it changes as you age? Why? On your note card: Do you think your personality is shaped by past experiences and cannot change? Or do you feel it changes as you age? Why?
Major Perspectives of Psychology What do you see? It depends on your perspective
Perspectives Psychoanalytic/psychodynamic Psychoanalytic/psychodynamic Behaviorism Behaviorism Humanism Humanism Cognitive Cognitive Sociocultural Sociocultural Biological/Neuroscientific Biological/Neuroscientific Evolutionary Evolutionary
Psychodynamic Originated with the work of Sigmund Freud. Originated with the work of Sigmund Freud. Emphasizes the role of the unconscious mind, early childhood experiences, and interpersonal relationships to explain human behavior Emphasizes the role of the unconscious mind, early childhood experiences, and interpersonal relationships to explain human behavior
Freud focused on early childhood experiences, especially parent-child relationships, believing that personality was formed in the first six years of life. Freud focused on early childhood experiences, especially parent-child relationships, believing that personality was formed in the first six years of life.
Our personality is a conflict between our unconscious Id and our superego (our moral sense) and our ego (our sense of reality). Our personality is a conflict between our unconscious Id and our superego (our moral sense) and our ego (our sense of reality).
Psychoanalysis Form of treating psychological disorders, invented by Freud Form of treating psychological disorders, invented by Freud
Personality assessment Psychoanalysts use projective tests like the Rorschach Ink Blot test or the TAT test Psychoanalysts use projective tests like the Rorschach Ink Blot test or the TAT test
Pros of Freud’s theory 1. Argued that childhood experiences are important in personality development. 1. Argued that childhood experiences are important in personality development. 2. Information outside of awareness does influence us. 2. Information outside of awareness does influence us.
Criticisms of Freud’s theory: 1. Freud had no scientific data to support his theories. 1. Freud had no scientific data to support his theories. 2. Freud’s theories (unconscious, libido, etc.) cannot be observed. 2. Freud’s theories (unconscious, libido, etc.) cannot be observed. 3. Theory explains behavior (post-hoc) after the fact. 3. Theory explains behavior (post-hoc) after the fact. 4. Observations not representative of population (very sexist and not multicultural). 4. Observations not representative of population (very sexist and not multicultural).
Behaviorism
Behaviorism Behaviorists bring science back into psychology Behaviorists bring science back into psychology Behaviorism is NOT interested in the unconscious mind since it cannot be observed or measured Behaviorism is NOT interested in the unconscious mind since it cannot be observed or measured
Ivan Pavlov He was not a psychologist but a Russian physiologist. He discovered classical conditioning. He was not a psychologist but a Russian physiologist. He discovered classical conditioning. Classical conditioning is associative learning. Classical conditioning is associative learning.
Dog associates food with bell.
B.F. Skinner Famous for operant conditioning. Operant conditioning (aka shaping) is learning through rewards and punishments. Famous for operant conditioning. Operant conditioning (aka shaping) is learning through rewards and punishments.
Behaviorism Albert Bandura said our behavior does not have to be conditioned Albert Bandura said our behavior does not have to be conditioned We can observe behavior and copy it We can observe behavior and copy it
Behaviorism The behavioral perspective can explain why people get addicted to gambling (positive reinforcement) The behavioral perspective can explain why people get addicted to gambling (positive reinforcement) …or why you come home before curfew …or why you come home before curfew …or why you don’t like grape jelly. …or why you don’t like grape jelly.
Behaviorism Summary Behaviorism says we do what we do because of classical conditioning, operant conditioning or we simply learn the behavior from watching or copying it. Behaviorism says we do what we do because of classical conditioning, operant conditioning or we simply learn the behavior from watching or copying it. In its extreme, they think we are simply rats in a cage pressing buttons. In its extreme, they think we are simply rats in a cage pressing buttons. Many diet apps are based on behaviorist approach. Many diet apps are based on behaviorist approach.
Warm Up On your notecard: On your notecard: Are we born naturally good? Or are we born naturally bad? Why do you think this? Are we born naturally good? Or are we born naturally bad? Why do you think this? Are we able to change this feature? (Can we go from good to bad or from bad to good?) Are we able to change this feature? (Can we go from good to bad or from bad to good?)
Humanism
Humanistic Humanism came about in the 1960s Humanistic psychology was instead focused on each individual’s potential and stressed the importance of growth and self-actualization People are innately good. We are humans with free will.
Humanism Abraham Maslow said we have a hierarchy of needs Abraham Maslow said we have a hierarchy of needs
Humanism Carl Rogers revolutionized talk therapy Carl Rogers revolutionized talk therapy Client-centered, where the client has all the answers instead of the therapist Client-centered, where the client has all the answers instead of the therapist Therapists treat the client with unconditional positive regard (no judgments) Therapists treat the client with unconditional positive regard (no judgments) Group therapy comes from Humanism. Group therapy comes from Humanism.
Humanism summary
Cognitive Perspective The study of how people perceive, remember, think, speak, and solve problems. The study of how people perceive, remember, think, speak, and solve problems. Cognitive therapy is about changing the maladaptive thoughts of a person. Cognitive therapy is about changing the maladaptive thoughts of a person.
Cognitive Psychologists Jean Piaget studied cognitive development in children. Jean Piaget studied cognitive development in children.
Create a Hierarchy Create your own visual for a hierarchy of needs Create your own visual for a hierarchy of needs Provide an example for each part of the hierarchy Provide an example for each part of the hierarchy Each group will share their work Each group will share their work
Why do we act like we do? Have you ever changed your behavior to fit social norms or expectations? Have you ever changed your behavior to fit social norms or expectations? Have you ever changed your behavior or ideas in order to fit with a particular group of friends? Have you ever changed your behavior or ideas in order to fit with a particular group of friends?
Social Cultural Perspective How social environment and culture influence behavior and thoughts. How social environment and culture influence behavior and thoughts. Behavior is heavily influenced by social norms and expectations. Behavior is heavily influenced by social norms and expectations.
Cross Cultural research Reaction to ethnocentric bias, relying on European and North American subjects. Reaction to ethnocentric bias, relying on European and North American subjects. Compare and contrast two or more cultures Compare and contrast two or more cultures
Kenneth B and Mamie Clark Doll Studies Their research demonstrated that segregation harmed Black children’s self-images, Their testimony contributed to landmark Supreme Court case Brown v Board of Education of Topeka, KS
Evolutionary Psychology Studies the evolutionary origins of human behavior. Studies the evolutionary origins of human behavior. Behavior and mental characteristics adapt over time based on natural selection. Behavior and mental characteristics adapt over time based on natural selection.
Evolutionary Psychology Darwin published his theory of evolution in 1859 Darwin published his theory of evolution in 1859 Natural selection- if an inherited trait gives certain members an advantage over others (such as increasing ability to attract mates, escape danger and acquire food) these members will be more likely to survive and pass these characteristics on to their offspring). Natural selection- if an inherited trait gives certain members an advantage over others (such as increasing ability to attract mates, escape danger and acquire food) these members will be more likely to survive and pass these characteristics on to their offspring).
Neuroscience Perspective Most respected right now Most respected right now Focus on our brain, nervous system, neurotransmitters and hormones to explain our behaviors. Focus on our brain, nervous system, neurotransmitters and hormones to explain our behaviors.
Tools used by neuroscientists PET Scan: Positron emission tomography fMRI machine: functional magnetic resonance imaging
Dr Ben Carson Neurosurgeon Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital
Dr. Ramachandran Mirror box treatment for phantom limb syndrome Mirror box treatment for phantom limb syndrome
Pick one… Which of the 3 perspectives of psychology we have covered today do you feel is the most interesting or useful? Why? Which of the 3 perspectives of psychology we have covered today do you feel is the most interesting or useful? Why?