PSY 211

structuralism Early school of psychology that emphasized studying the most basic components, or structures, of conscious experiences.

functionalism Early school of psychology that emphasized studying the purpose, or function, of behavior and mental experiences psychoanalysis Personality theory and form of psychotherapy that emphasizes the role of unconscious factors in personality and behavior. behaviorism School of psychology and theoretical viewpoint that emphasizes the study of observable behaviors, especially as they pertain to the process of learning humanistic psychology School of psychology and theoretical viewpoint that emphasizes each person’s unique potential for psychological growth and self-direction.

Major Perspectives in Psychology

The Biological Perspective
The biological perspective emphasizes studying the physical bases of human and animal behavior, including the nervous system, endocrine system, immune system, and genetics. More specifically, neuroscience refers to the study of the nervous system, especially the brain.
The Psychodynamic Perspective psychodynamic perspective may or may not follow Freud or take a psychoanalytic approach. However, they do tend to emphasize the importance of unconscious influences, early life experiences, and interpersonal relationships in explaining the underlying dynamics of behavior or in treating people with psychological problems. The Behavioral Perspective
Study how behavior is acquired or modified by environmental causes.

The Humanistic Perspective
The humanistic perspective focuses on the motivation of people to grow psychologically, the influence of interpersonal relationships on a person’s self-concept, and the importance of choice and self-direction in striving to reach one’s potential.

The Positive Psychology Perspective
The study of positive emotions and psychological states, positive individual traits, and the social institutions that foster positive individuals and communities

The Cognitive Perspective
Focused once again on the important role of mental processes in how people process and remember information, develop language, solve problems, and think.
The Steps in the Scientific Method
Step 1. Formulate a Testable Hypothesis
Step 2. Design the Study and Collect the Data
Step 3. Analyze the Data and Draw Conclusions
Step 4. Report the Findings

Descriptive Research Methods Are strategies for observing and describing behavior.
• case study An intensive study of a single individual or small group of individuals.
• survey A questionnaire or interview designed o to investigate the opinions, behaviors, o or characteristics of a particular group.
• sample A selected segment of the population o used to represent the group that is being o studied.
• representative sample A selected segment o that very closely parallels the larger population o being studied on relevant characteristics.
• random selection Process in which o subjects are selected randomly from a larger o group such that every group member has an o equal chance of being included in the study.
• correlational study A research strategy o that allows the precise calculation of how o strongly related two factors are to each other.
• correlation coeffi cient A numerical indication o of the magnitude and direction of the relationship o (the correlation) between two variables.