Psychology’s Three Main Levels of Analysis

Psychology’s Three Main Levels of Analysis

Psychology’s Three Main Levels of Analysis

Psychology’s Three Main Levels of Analysis

Perspective:

BIOLOGICAL?

EVOLUTIONARY?

BEHAVIORAL?

COGNITIVE?

HUMANISTIC?

PSYCHODYNAMIC?

SOCIAL-CULTURAL?

Fundamental Psychology Question:

WHAT ACCOUNTS FOR BEHAVIOR?

Many different approaches to that question, which I will call SCHOOLS of thought, and/or PERSPECTIVES.

Fundamental Psychology Question:

WHAT ACCOUNTS FOR BEHAVIOR?

Perspective:

Biological (Neuroscience/Genetic)

How much of your behavior is due to heredity? Brain? Gender? Etc.

Fundamental Psychology Question:WHAT ACCOUNTS FOR BEHAVIOR?

Perspective: Evolutionary

• Focuses on Darwinism.

• We behave the way we do because we inherited those behaviors.

• Thus, those behaviors must have helped ensure our ancestors survival.

How could this behavior ensured Homer’s ancestors survival?

Fundamental Psychology Question:

WHAT ACCOUNTS FOR BEHAVIOR?

Perspective:

Behavioral (Environmental)

Fundamental Psychology Question:

WHAT ACCOUNTS FOR BEHAVIOR?

Perspective:

Behavioral (Environmental)

How much of your behavior is due to Learning? The environment that surrounds you? The reinforcement you receive? The rewards and punishments that you seek to

gain/avoid?

Fundamental Psychology Question:

WHAT ACCOUNTS FOR BEHAVIOR?

Biological (Neuroscience/Genetic)

AND

Behavioral (Environmental)

Also called “Nature vs. Nurture”

Fundamental Psychology Question:

WHAT ACCOUNTS FOR BEHAVIOR?

Perspective:

Cognitive

Think it,

be it………

Cognitive Perspective

• Focuses on how we think (or encode information)

• How do we see the world?

• How did we learn to act to sad or happy events?

• Cognitive Therapist attempt to change the way you think.

She rejects you….

How do you react to the rejection?

Some learned to try again.

Some learned to give up and live a lonely life of solitude.

You meet a girl…Hopes are high!!!

Fundamental Psychology Question:

WHAT ACCOUNTS FOR BEHAVIOR?• The HUMANISTIC perspective studies the

unique aspects of humans. Humans are free, rational, and have potential for personal growth.• People are essentially GOOD.

Fundamental Psychology Question:

WHAT ACCOUNTS FOR BEHAVIOR?

Perspective:Psychodynamic

Fundamental Psychology Question:

WHAT ACCOUNTS FOR BEHAVIOR?

The Psychodynamic perspective looks to the unconscious, internal conflicts, and unconscious, early memories for the cause of behavior. You don’t remember being neglected when you were 6 months old, but today you have abandonment fears that keep you from having healthy relationships. Your tour in Vietnam was 40 years ago, but still you jump for cover every time you hear the sound of a helicopter.

Fundamental Psychology Question:

WHAT ACCOUNTS FOR BEHAVIOR?

The SOCIAL-Cultural perspective looks to our social situation, our culture, for the cause of behavior. You get a tattoo because it’s the socially acceptable thing to do in your peer group. You dress a certain way because that’s how people in your group/culture/peer group dress. etc.

Psychology Fields: Psychology Fields: Basic Research: pure science/aims to increase knowledge – concerned with discovering concepts or processes – less practical in nature

Applied Research: aims to solve practical problems – more practical in nature – concerned with providing solutions

Careers:Psychiatry (Medical Doctor, prescribes meds. Work in hospitals, private practice)

Clinical Psychology: (PHD/academic doctor, doesn’t prescribe meds, practical help for those with disorders)

Educational Psychology: (PHD/academic doctor, works in research, specialty fields, consultant, etc. – work at universities, for companies, in private practice)

Guidance/Counseling/Therapy: (Master of Arts, practical help with problems in a number of specialty areas – work in private practice, schools, agencies hospitals, etc.)

Social Work (Master of Arts, practical help for families/others for social services – work in government, hospitals, nursing homes)