Hockenbury Discovering Psychology 5th txtbk

10 CHAPTER 1 Introduction and Research MethodsMajor Perspectives in PsychologyAny given topic in contemporary psychology can be approached from a variety ofperspectives. Each perspective discussed here represents a different emphasis or pointof view that can be taken in studying a particular behavior, topic, or issue. As you’llsee in this section, the influence of the early schools of psychology is apparent in thefirst four perspectives that characterize contemporary psychology.The Biological Perspective The physiologicalaspects of behavior and mentalprocesses are studied by biologicalpsychologists. Psychologists and otherscientists who specialize in the study ofthe brain and the rest of the nervoussystem are often called neuroscientists.Shown at right is Yale biopsychologistKaryn Frick discussing an experimentaldesign with psychology graduate studentPatrick Orr. Frick and her colleagues arestudying how aging and sex hormones, especiallyestrogen and progesterone, altermemory. As Frick (2009) comments, “I findbiological psychology fascinating becauseso much about how the brain creates behaviorremains unknown. Nevertheless,modern biopsychologists have an incrediblearray of tools at their disposal to askfundamental questions about the neuralmechanisms underlying behavioralprocesses, so this is a particularly excitingtime for neuroscience research!” You’llread about Frick’s research in more detailin Chapter 6, on memory.Studying Behavior from DifferentPsychological Perspectives Psychologists canstudy a particular behavior, topic, or issuefrom different perspectives. Consider theheroic efforts of California firefighters in themidst of 2008’s massive wildfires. Trained tosave people and homes in the face of thedevastating heat and destruction of out-ofcontrolfires, these men and women oftenspent 24-hour days and weeks on the fireline, working against an overwhelming forceas well as their own exhaustion.Taking the biological perspective, a psychologistmight study whether there arebiological differences between the Californiafirefighters and other people, such as theability to stay calm and focused in the faceof dangerous situations. A psychologist takingthe behavioral perspective might look athow helping behaviors are learned and reinforced.Taking the cognitive perspective, anotherpsychologist might investigate thekinds of mental processes that are involvedin planning and carrying out the successfulevacuation of people from their threatenedhomes.The Biological PerspectiveAs we’ve already noted, physiology hasplayed an important role in psychologysince it was founded. Today, that influencecontinues, as is shown by the many psychologistswho take the biological perspective.The biological perspective emphasizesstudying the physical bases of humanand animal behavior, including the nervoussystem, endocrine system, immunesystem, and genetics. More specifically,neuroscience refers to the study of thenervous system, especially the brain.Interest in the biological perspectivehas grown in the last few decades, partlybecause of advances in technology andmedicine. For example, in the late 1950sand early 1960s, medications were developedthat helped control the symptoms of serious psychological disorders, such asschizophrenia and depression. The relative success of those new drugs sparked newquestions about the interaction among biological factors and human behavior, emotions,and thought processes.Equally important were technological advances that have allowed psychologists andother researchers to explore the human brain as never before. The development of thePET scan, MRI scan, and functional MRI (fMRI) scan has allowed scientists to studythe structure and activity of the intact brain. Later in the chapter, we’ll describe thesebrain-imaging techniques and how psychologists use them as research tools.The Psychodynamic PerspectiveThe key ideas and themes of Freud’s landmark theory of psychoanalysis continue tobe important among many psychologists, especially those working in the mentalhealth field. As you’ll see in Chapter 10, on personality, and Chapter 14, on therapies,many of Freud’s ideas have been expanded or modified by his followers. Today,psychologists who take the psychodynamic perspective emphasize the importanceof unconscious influences, early lifeexperiences, and interpersonal relationshipsin explaining the underlyingdynamics of behavior or in treatingpeople with psychological problems.The Behavioral PerspectiveWatson and Skinner’s contention thatpsychology should focus on observablebehaviors and the fundamentallaws of learning is evident today inthe behavioral perspective. Contemporarypsychologists who take the behavioralperspective continue to studyhow behavior is acquired or modified