6 Approaches to Psychology Biological aka Physiological What

6 Approaches to Psychology • Biological (aka Physiological) – What biological structures control behavior ? (and nowadays we’ve added “and which ones control cognition”) – What about that nature & nurture stuff? – How does biology affect cognitive and behavioral development/maturation?

6 Approaches to Psychology • Evolutionary (included under Biological) – What role(s) does natural selection play in behavior and cognition? – What are the relative contributions of nature (genetics) and nurture (environment) – How does genetics influence behavior?

6 Approaches to Psychology • Behavioral – How does learning (especially behaviorcontingent reward and punishment) affect behavior? – To what extent does early experience affect adult behavior and individual differences?

6 Approaches to Psychology • Psychodynamic (Freudian) – What is the basis of personality? – How does upbringing (especially childhood conflicts) affect adult behavior? – How can these things help people with mental and behavioral problems?

6 Approaches to Psychology • Humanistic – What gives meaning and purpose to human behavior? – How can a better understanding of this issue help people with mental and behavioral problems? – How can a better understanding of this issue help people in their everyday lives?

6 Approaches to Psychology • Cognitive – How do people process information in their brains? – How does that information processing affect their behavior? – How do people understand language, make decisions, and solve problems?

6 Approaches to Psychology • Sociocultural – How do social and cultural influences affect behavior and cognition? – What are the similarities and differences in behavior and cognition across cultures? – How does behavior shape culture and viceversa?