SFP - Theoretical Approaches and Psychological Domains of Psychology Lesson

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:

Biological/Neuroscience Perspective: This perspective focuses on brain and body chemistry and how messages are transmitted through the body. A psychologist from this school will study the brain, hormones, and the nervous system and will explain behavior in terms of body chemistry. One of the most common treatments used in this perspective is medication. Evolutionary Perspective: This perspective applies the principles of evolution to explain psychological processes and phenomena. According to this perspective traits or behaviors that helped our ancestors survive have been passed down us and can be used to explain behavior. Psychodynamic or Psychoanalytic Perspective: The psychodynamic or psychoanalytic perspective focuses on the role of the unconscious in driving behavior. Sigmund Freud devised this perspective which explains behavior in terms of how our early life experiences and interpersonal relationships have influenced us. The most common form of therapy involves using methods such as free association and hypnosis to bring unconscious thoughts to light Behavioral Perspective: The behavioral perspective focuses on observable behaviors and sets feelings and emotions aside. Behaviorists are concerned with how behavior is acquired and modified by our environments. If a psychologist wants to change a behavior according to this perspective they would focus on conditioning techniques. Humanistic Perspective: Humanism focuses on teaching people to grow psychologically by focusing on one's self-concept and emphasizes the importance of choice and self-direction. Humanists believe that everyone has free will and the power to reach their greatest potential. Cognitive Perspective: Cognitive psychologists focus on how we encode, process, store, and retrieve information. They examine how we view our world and a therapist using this perspective would focus on changing the way you think. Social Cultural or Cross-Cultural Perspective: According to this perspective our behaviors are the result of the cultural and ethnic factors of where we live. Behavior and thinking vary across cultures.

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:

[CC BY 4.0] UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED | IMAGES: LICENSED AND USED ACCORDING TO TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION