Biological Foundations Of Psychology
Running head: FOUNDATIONS OF PSYCHOLOGY
Foundations of Psychology
Beverley Austin
University of Phoenix
General Psychology
PSY300
Betsy Ferronato
November 07, 2011
Foundations of Psychology
Introduction
The purpose of this essay is to identify the major schools of thought in psychology, which are “the psychodynamic, behaviorist, cognitive, and evolutionary perspectives” (Kowalski & Westen, 2009, p. 12) and examine their major underlying assumptions. Additionally, to identify the primary biological foundations of psychology linked to behavior.
Psychodynamic
The Psychodynamic perspective was developed by Sigmund Freud and is based upon three major points. “First, people’s actions are determined by the way thoughts, feelings, and wishes …show more content…
* Our behaviour and feelings as adults (including psychological problems) are rooted in our childhood experiences.
* All behaviour has a cause (usually unconscious), even slips of the tongue. Therefore all behaviour is determined.
* Personality is made up of three parts (i.e. tripartite). The id, ego and super-ego.
* Behaviour is motivated by two instinctual drives: Eros (the sex drive & life instinct) and Thanatos (the aggressive drive & death instinct). Both these drives come from the “id”.
* Parts of the unconscious mind (the id and superego) are in constant conflict with the conscious part of the mind (the ego).
* Personality is shaped as the drives are modified by different conflicts at different times in childhood (during psychosexual development).” (Mcleod, 2007, ¶ 7)
Behaviorist
The Behaviorist perspective was an accidental discovery by Ivan Pavlov sometime in the early twentieth century and was later taken up by John Watson. It is most known for being further developed by B.F. Skinner.
The major assumptions of Behavioral perspectives …show more content…
Responses are the result of our experiences - they are not innate.
Internal mental processing explanation of behavior are circular and regressive and are to be avoided.” (, p. 2)
Cognitive
The Cognitive perspective is based upon knowledge from Greek philosophers and worked upon by various people through the ages, but the man who started the train rolling was Wilhelm Wundt. (Penn State, 2009)
Some of the underlying assumptions of the Cognitive perspective are:
“•Cognitive psychology is a pure science, based mainly on laboratory experiments.
•Behaviour can be largely explained in terms of how the mind operates, i.e. the information processing approach.
•The mind works in a way similar to a computer: inputting, storing and retrieving data.
•Mediational processes occur between stimulus and response.” (Mcleod, 2007, table 1)
Evolutionary (also called Biological)
The Evolutionary perspective has been worked on for many years. While some of the original insight did come from Charles Darwin, he was not the developer or father of this theory. Other major key influencers in this realm were Jane Goodall and Edward Wilson, but the real focus was narrowed down by Leda Cosmides and John Tooby. (Mcleod,
Foundations of Psychology
Beverley Austin
University of Phoenix
General Psychology
PSY300
Betsy Ferronato
November 07, 2011
Foundations of Psychology
Introduction
The purpose of this essay is to identify the major schools of thought in psychology, which are “the psychodynamic, behaviorist, cognitive, and evolutionary perspectives” (Kowalski & Westen, 2009, p. 12) and examine their major underlying assumptions. Additionally, to identify the primary biological foundations of psychology linked to behavior.
Psychodynamic
The Psychodynamic perspective was developed by Sigmund Freud and is based upon three major points. “First, people’s actions are determined by the way thoughts, feelings, and wishes …show more content…
* Our behaviour and feelings as adults (including psychological problems) are rooted in our childhood experiences.
* All behaviour has a cause (usually unconscious), even slips of the tongue. Therefore all behaviour is determined.
* Personality is made up of three parts (i.e. tripartite). The id, ego and super-ego.
* Behaviour is motivated by two instinctual drives: Eros (the sex drive & life instinct) and Thanatos (the aggressive drive & death instinct). Both these drives come from the “id”.
* Parts of the unconscious mind (the id and superego) are in constant conflict with the conscious part of the mind (the ego).
* Personality is shaped as the drives are modified by different conflicts at different times in childhood (during psychosexual development).” (Mcleod, 2007, ¶ 7)
Behaviorist
The Behaviorist perspective was an accidental discovery by Ivan Pavlov sometime in the early twentieth century and was later taken up by John Watson. It is most known for being further developed by B.F. Skinner.
The major assumptions of Behavioral perspectives …show more content…
Responses are the result of our experiences - they are not innate.
Internal mental processing explanation of behavior are circular and regressive and are to be avoided.” (, p. 2)
Cognitive
The Cognitive perspective is based upon knowledge from Greek philosophers and worked upon by various people through the ages, but the man who started the train rolling was Wilhelm Wundt. (Penn State, 2009)
Some of the underlying assumptions of the Cognitive perspective are:
“•Cognitive psychology is a pure science, based mainly on laboratory experiments.
•Behaviour can be largely explained in terms of how the mind operates, i.e. the information processing approach.
•The mind works in a way similar to a computer: inputting, storing and retrieving data.
•Mediational processes occur between stimulus and response.” (Mcleod, 2007, table 1)
Evolutionary (also called Biological)
The Evolutionary perspective has been worked on for many years. While some of the original insight did come from Charles Darwin, he was not the developer or father of this theory. Other major key influencers in this realm were Jane Goodall and Edward Wilson, but the real focus was narrowed down by Leda Cosmides and John Tooby. (Mcleod,