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Modern psychology is broken up into several different perspectives. While most psychologists today do not
identify themselves with one particular school of thought, their expertise is often aimed in one direction. Each
perspective lends its own advantages and disadvantages to the study and practice of psychology, and when
combined they provide psychologists with the clearest picture of human behavior.
Biological
This perspective can refer to both the way the body and brain contribute to behavior as well as comparing the
behavior of animals to humans. In recent years, scientists have found that both the chemistry of the brain, the
makeup of the central nervous system and genetics can all have a substantial impact on human conduct.
The biological perspective first came about when Charles Darwin developed the theory of natural selection
through his observation of animals. As human beings are mammals, the biological perspective recognizes that a
human being’s natural instincts play a vital role in behavior. Comparative psychology is closely related with this
principle.
Behavioral
Behaviorism was introduced in the twentieth century by John Broadus Watson who believed that human behavior
is learned and reinforced by external sources, and therefore can be changed by teaching and reinforcing new
behaviors. Psychologists today believe that other factors play a larger role in human behavior, though
behaviorism is often used to help treat a behavioral problem.
Cognitive
Modern studies of cognition are based on the belief that discovering how a person will behave can only be found
by studying the thought process they use to get to the actual behavior or decision. This school of thought also
believes that by interpreting the underlying mental process behind a behavior psychologists can determine future
behavioral problems.
CrossCultural
In recent years, psychologists have begun to compare human behaviors in different cultures, which led to the
development of the crosscultural psychological perspective. This process allows psychologists to separate certain
behaviors that are either inherent or genetic and those that are primarily influenced by external sources.
Evolutionary
Evolutionary psychology focuses on the belief that almost all human behaviors exist for an evolutionary purpose,
such as human advancement or Darwin’s survival of the fittest. Research on this perspective focuses primarily on
survival, mating and group habitation.
Psychodynamics
This perspective was introduced by infamous psychologist Sigmund Freud. He theorized that much of human
behavior is unconscious, and in order to alter that behavior, psychoanalysis is needed to help a person face his or
her unconscious self.
All of these perspectives come together to provide psychologists with ways to predict, understand and change
human behaviors.
Sources
http://psychology.about.com/od/psychology101/a/perspectives.htm
http://www.purgatory.net
http://www.cliffsnotes.com/study_guide/PsychodynamicPerspectives.topicArticleId25438,articleId25388.html