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Unit 1.1 Introducing Psychology - AP Psych Study Guide 2024 - Fiveable
Unit 1.1 Introducing Psychology - AP Psych Study Guide 2024 - Fiveable
Reading Practice
Image courtesy of ResearchGate.
Psychological Approaches
The psychoanalytic/Psychodynamic approach focuses on the study of the unconscious mind. It states that behavior is determined by past
experiences. Sigmund Freud is the key individual that used this approach, and he built his theories based on it.
The humanistic approach believes that humans have free will and the ability to grow. All individuals are striving to reach self-actualization and their
greatest potential with this approach. 🌱
The evolutionary approach uses evolutionary biology to explain human behavior. Also, it looks at how natural selection due to variable traits
promotes the survival of genes. An evolutionary psychologist may study how anger could be a gene inherited from our ancestors.
The biological perspective states that behavior is based on physical processes, such as those relating to the brain, hormones, and other chemicals.
The cognitive approach states that thought processes impact the way people behave. A cognitive psychologist may study how an emotion, such as
fear, affects one’s thinking.
The biopsychosocial perspective acknowledges the person as a whole and tries to look at all of the patient's circumstances. It looks at biological,
psychological, and social factors to understand a person’s behavior.
The sociocultural approach studies how thinking and behavior vary across cultures and situations. A sociocultural psychologist may study how
expressions of sadness vary across cultures.
Subfields of Psychology
Biological psychology states that physical processes shape behavior. For example, a biological psychologist might say that anger is due to a certain
hormonal balance in the brain. 😡
Clinical psychology is a section of psychology focused on assessing and treating mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders.
Cognitive psychology studies the mental processes associated with thinking, knowing, and communicating. 🤔
Counseling psychology focuses on personal issues that are not classified as mental disorders. These types of therapists help people cope with
challenges and crises in life. For example, they can help a student with social or academic struggles. They could even help an individual with marital
issues.
Developmental psychology studies social, physical, and cognitive changes throughout the lifespan. So, they study from “womb to tomb.” 👶
Educational psychology is the study of how psychological processes can impact and improve learning and teaching. 👩🏽🏫
Experimental psychology uses the experimental method to examine relationships between behavior and the mind.
Industrial-organizational psychology studies the relationships between work and people in order to help companies increase productivity, boost
morale, and select and train employees.
Personality psychology is the study of how personality affects the way people think and behave.
Psychometric psychology focuses on psychological measurement and is concerned with the design of psychological examinations.
Social psychology studies how humans are influenced by one another and how we relate and think about each other. 👫
Positive psychology focuses on making human existence more fulfilling, rather than focusing on the treatment of mental illness. It promotes
strengths and virtues to improve the lives of people and communities. 💫
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Human minds only focus on small components for understanding. Human minds are solely driven by past experiences.
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