Learning Targets:

Describe and compare different theoretical approaches in explaining behavior.
Recognize the strengths and limitations of applying theories to explain behavior.
Distinguish the different domains of psychology.

AP psychology course and exam description, effective fall 2020. (n.d.). https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/ap-psychology-course-and-exam-description.pdf

Theoretical Approaches to Explaining Behavior

Major Perspectives in Psychology

As the knowledge about psychology has increased, the discipline itself continues to be more specialized. Today's psychologists identify themselves and treat patients according to their perspective to investigate psychological topics and the specialty they have been trained in. These schools or perspectives in psychology are not meant to stand alone or contradict one another but complement one another. Each perspective has clear advantages and disadvantages to its use. We will use these perspectives to explain behavior throughout the course.

Review the Major Perspectives in Psychology below:

Psychology's Diverse Domains

Careers in psychology fall into many different and diverse domains. Psychological research can be divided into two separate categories: basic and applied. Basic research builds psychological knowledge and can influence further research studies. It explores the questions you may be curious about but is not intended to be used immediately. Applied research on the other hand has precise, practical applications and is used to solve problems.

Specialty Areas of Psychologists Pie Chart:

Clinical: 37%
Counseling: 13%
General: 7%
Developmental: 6%
School: 3%
Educational: 3%
Social and Personality: 6%
Cognitive: 4%
Industrial/Organizational: 5%
Biological and Experimental: 6%
Other Areas: 10%

Complete the Psychology Domains review activity:

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