Psychological Foundations: Background You’ll Need

Integrative Themes in Focus

The American Psychological Association provides guidance for the development of courses like this one. The association recommends that introductory courses, in addition to teaching about various theories and research practices, should emphasize several general themes about the field of psychology. These themes are briefly explained in the figure below.

List of the APA 7 Integrative themes: A. Psychological science relies on empirical evidence and adapts as new data develop. B. Psychology explains general principles that govern behavior while recognizing individual differences. C. Psychological, biological, social, and cultural factors influence behavior and mental processes. D. Psychology values diversity, promotes equity, and fosters inclusion in pursuit of a more just society. E. Our perceptions and biases filter our experiences of the world through an imperfect personal lens. F. Applying psychological principles can change our lives, organizations, and communities in positive ways. G. Ethical principles guide psychology research and practice.

Throughout the course, you will encounter many examples of each of these themes, and we will occasionally point out how something you’re reading about illustrates one or another of these themes.

Real-World Applications

Take the “What Would You Do?” experiment. People were more inclined to help a well-dressed woman than an unhoused man, but there were people who bucked the trend, like passerby Linda Hamilton, who is highlighted in the video. Her quick response even encouraged others to help. This aligns with APA Theme B, which highlights the balance between general behavioral trends and individual differences.

What does it mean that “psychology explains general principles that govern behavior while recognizing individual differences”?

Psychology aims to identify universal principles shaping human behavior, like our tendency to follow the crowd when in doubt. But it also recognizes everyone is unique, influenced by factors like genetics, personality, and culture.

 

So, in practice, while psychologists can use general principles to predict behavior to some extent, they also understand the limitations of these predictions given the influence of individual differences. In a therapeutic context, for example, a psychologist might use general principles to guide treatment but would always tailor the approach to fit the specific needs and circumstances of the individual patient.

 

This theme emphasizes the importance of understanding both the general and the specific, the norm and the exception, in order to get a full picture of human behavior and mental processes.