The History of Psychology: Apply It

  • Explain behaviorism
  • Describe humanism
  • Describe cognitive psychology
  • Describe multicultural and feminist psychology

Psychological Perspectives

Psychological perspectives are frameworks psychologists use to explain human thought, emotion, and behavior. Each perspective highlights different factors, uses distinct methods, and offers unique insights. Understanding the history of these perspectives helps explain why they developed and how they continue to shape psychology today.

The main psychological perspectives are generally recognized as:

  1. Psychodynamic perspective: Emphasizes unconscious drives and early experiences (Freud).
  2. Behavioral perspective: Focuses on observable behavior and learning through conditioning (Pavlov, Watson, Skinner).
  3. Humanistic perspective: Highlights the positive potential of people and emphasizes personal growth (Maslow, Rogers).
  4. Cognitive perspective: Studies internal mental processes such as thinking, memory, and problem-solving (Neisser, Chomsky, Piaget, Vygotsky).
  5. Biological perspective: Examines how genetics, brain chemistry, and physiology influence behavior.
  6. Evolutionary perspective: Views traits and behaviors as adaptations shaped by natural selection.
  7. Sociocultural perspective: Explores how cultural norms, social context, and environment shape behavior.

For example, imagine that a person is diagnosed with depression. Each perspective might explain it differently:

  • Biological: Chemical imbalances in the brain.
  • Evolutionary: A predisposition that once had adaptive value.
  • Psychodynamic: Unresolved conflicts or unconscious processes.
  • Sociocultural: Pressures from cultural norms or social environment.

By using multiple perspectives, psychologists can develop a more complete understanding of behavior.

Think about some of the various perspectives you learned about (including psychoanalysis, behaviorism, cognitive psychology, humanism, and the biological approach), and explain how an alien psychologist from another planet might explain the following human behaviors (a sample answer is provided—can you think of an alternative explanation as well?):
1. Why do people cut or shave hair from their bodies (and why does it vary by sex, age, groups, etc.)?

2. Why do children in an elementary school walk in a line when going to class?

3. Why are people physically aggressive towards each other (and why might those who identify as male be observed to be more aggressive than those who identify as female)?

Which psychological perspective most resonates with you, and why? 

APA Theme D: Psychology values diversity, promotes equity, and fosters inclusion in pursuit of a more just society.In this section, you also learned about the doll study conducted by the Clarks in the 1940s. While racial relations today are very different than they were then, the study remains pertinent. As recently as 2020, a study in a preschool showed that two young Black girls consistently treated Black dolls less favorably than dolls with other skin colors. This video briefly summarizes that research.

How Perspectives Might Explain the Results

Behaviorism


Psychoanalytic Perspective


Cognitive Perspective


Humanistic Perspective


Sociocultural Perspective