Contemporary Approaches to Psychology Power Point.pdf

Contemporary Approaches to
Psychology

Psychodynamic Approach:
Also referred to as “psychoanalysis” or
the “psychoanalytic approach”
Founded by Sigmund Freud
The psychodynamic approach focuses on
past childhood desires, thoughts, and
memories buried below the conscious
surface in the unconscious

Sigmund Freud

Tom is an alcoholic …
According to the
psychodynamic approach,
what has caused Tom’s
alcoholism?

Behavioral Approach:
Also referred to as “behaviorism” or the “behavioristic
approach”
Focuses on observable (overt) behavior in relation to the
environment
Behaviorists believe behavior results from learning
John Watson, the founder of the behavioristic approach,
said psychology should be the science of behavior
B. F. Skinner reported behavior is learned by reward,
reinforcement, and punishment
Some behaviorists also believe behavior can be learned
through modeling and imitation

John Watson & B.F. Skinner

Tom is an alcoholic …
According to the
behavioral approach,
what has caused Tom’s
alcoholism?

Humanistic Approach:
Established by Abraham Maslow and Carl
Rogers
Humanists believe free will and potential
for personal growth guide behavior and
mental processes
Emphasizes feelings, positive thinking,
and growth seeking through goal setting
Believes people have the ability to solve
their own problems

Abraham Maslow & Carl Rogers

Tom is an alcoholic …
According to the
humanistic approach,
what has caused Tom’s
alcoholism?

Cognitive Approach:
Cognitive means “thinking” and
“reasoning”
Emphasizes the importance of receiving,
storing, and processing information
Interested in the use and influence of
language to understand human behavior
Jean Piaget played a significant role in the
development of cognitive psychology.

Jean Piaget

Tom is an alcoholic …
According to the
cognitive approach,
what has caused Tom’s
alcoholism?

Biological Approach:
Also known as “neurobiological”,
“psychobiological”, “neuroscience”,
“biopsychological” and “medical”
Believes chemical and biological
processes within the nervous system and
endocrine system are related to behavior
Believes genetic inheritance may pass
behavioral traits to offspring

Tom is an alcoholic …
According to the
biological approach,
what has caused Tom’s
alcoholism?

Sociocultural Approach:
Believes social and environmental factors
influence cultural differences in behavior
Examines cultural differences in an
attempt to understand, predict, and
control behavior

Tom is an alcoholic …
According to the
sociocultural approach,
what has caused Tom’s
alcoholism?

Evolutionary Approach:
Explains behavior patterns as adaptations
natural to survival
Returns to Darwin’s Theory of Natural
Selection (survival of the fittest)

Tom is an alcoholic …
According to the
evolutionary approach,
what has caused Tom’s
alcoholism?

Eclectic Approach
Using one or more psychological approaches
to treat an individual.