What Is Psychology Key Terms Methods of Psychology 1 Psychology scientific study of behavior and mental processes 2 Science uses systematic methods to observe human behavior and draw conclusions scientific method it easier to understand 3 Behavior things people do that can be directly observed Put into numbers to make 4 Mental Processes thoughts feelings motives that we experience privately and cannot be directly observed also put into numbers Quantify Contemporary Approaches to Psychology 1 Biological Approach Neuroscience brain and nervous system are critical for understanding attitudes and behaviors Ex Trauma can cause personality changes Injuries to the brain can change people 2 Behavioral Approach study of behavior responses to environmental stimuli Social Cognitive Theory people learn from the consequences of other people s actions This behavior will be imitated if there are positive consequences Proposed by John B Watson B F Skinner Albert Bandura later proposes 3 Psychology Approach biological instincts influence attitudes and behavior These impulses can shape our behavior and personality Ex sexual or aggressive impulses sexual relationships with parents shape personality Proposed by Sigmund Freud theory of a young child by the age of 4 or 5 having a sexual attraction to the opposite sex parent 4 Humanistic Approach emphazises peoples positive qualities capacity for positive growth and free will Ex The Amish they have less but with their simple life still have happiness study of how mental processes allow people to remember make decisions plan set Memory can change and become flexible Ex selective memory 5 Cognitive Approach goals and be creative 6 Evolutionary Approach adaptation reproduction and survival of the fittest explains human behavior Sexual Selection Theory 1 Men and Women are the same in most domains 2 Men and Women differ in their reproductive changes Ex Women are always sure that the baby is theirs Men are often unsure Men have a short term mating strategy Women have a long term mating strategy Proposed by David Buss 7 Sociocultural Approach cultural contest influence attitudes and behavior 8 Positive Psychology Approach movement toward studying human strengths and positive experiences Studies focus on Experiences that people value Positive individual traits Positive group and civic values
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