Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHistoryPurposePsychodynamic PerspectiveBehavioral PerspectiveCognitive PerspectiveBiological PerspectiveCross-Cultural PerspectiveEvolutionary PerspectiveHumanistic Perspective
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Table of Contents
History
Purpose
Psychodynamic Perspective
Behavioral Perspective
Cognitive Perspective
Biological Perspective
Cross-Cultural Perspective
Evolutionary Perspective
Humanistic Perspective
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Psychological perspectives are different ways of thinking about and explaining human behavior. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to studying and understanding the human mind and behavior. That’s why psychologists utilize a variety of perspectives when studying how people think, feel, and behave. Exploring different perspectives gives us a fuller, richer way to look at psychology—and solve problems that people might be experiencing.
For example, have you ever wondered why you flinch when you hear a loud noise? Someone with a behaviorist perspective might say it’s a learned reaction, while someone with a biological perspective would focus on how your brain processes and responds to sound. Looking at the problem from different perspectives gives us insight into the various factors that can play a role.
At a GlancePsychological perspectives give us different ways of thinking about aspects of the human mind and behavior. Some researchers focus more on one specific school of thought, while others take a more eclectic approach that incorporates multiple points of view. No single perspective is “better” than another. Instead, each emphasizes different aspects of human behavior. Together, these perspectives give us a more well-rounded understanding of why we do the things we do.
At a Glance
Psychological perspectives give us different ways of thinking about aspects of the human mind and behavior. Some researchers focus more on one specific school of thought, while others take a more eclectic approach that incorporates multiple points of view. No single perspective is “better” than another. Instead, each emphasizes different aspects of human behavior. Together, these perspectives give us a more well-rounded understanding of why we do the things we do.
Major Psychological Perspectives
Some of the most prominent psychological perspectives include:
Psychological Perspectives TodayFew psychologists identify their outlook according to a particular school of thought. While there are still some pure behaviorists or psychoanalysts, the majority of psychologists today categorize their work according to their specialty area and perspective.
Psychological Perspectives Today
Few psychologists identify their outlook according to a particular school of thought. While there are still some pure behaviorists or psychoanalysts, the majority of psychologists today categorize their work according to their specialty area and perspective.
Purpose of Psychological Perspectives
Why are there so many different perspectives in psychology? It is important to remember that every topic in psychology can be looked at in many ways. For example, let’s consider the subject of aggression.
Here are seven of the major perspectives inmodern psychology.
1. The Psychodynamic Perspective
The psychodynamic perspective originated with the work ofSigmund Freud. This view of psychology and human behavior emphasizes the role of theunconscious mind, early childhood experiences, and interpersonal relationships to explain human behavior, as well as to treat mental illnesses.
Much thanks to Freud’s work and influence, psychoanalysis became one of the earliest major forces within psychology. Freud conceived of the mind as being composed of three key elements:the id, the ego, and the superego.
While the psychodynamic perspective is not as dominant today, it continues to be a useful psychotherapeutic tool.
2. The Behavioral Perspective
Where the Freudian approach was all about early experiences and unconscious urges, the behaviorists were much more invested in understanding how environmental forces affect our actions.
Behavioral psychology focuses on learned behaviors. It was founded on the work of psychologists such asEdward ThorndikeandJohn B. Watson.Behaviorismdominated psychology in the early twentieth century but began to lose its hold during the 1950s.
Behaviorism stands out from other perspectives because it focuses solely on observable behaviors rather than on emphasizing internal states.
Today, the behavioral perspective is still concerned with how behaviors are learned and reinforced. Behavioral principles are often applied in mental health settings, where therapists and counselors use these techniques to explain and treat a variety of illnesses. Techniques that are rooted in behavioral principles includeexposure therapy,aversion therapy, flooding,systematic desensitization,behavior modeling, and token economies.
3. The Cognitive Perspective
The cognitive perspective focuses on how we learn, think, and remember—all the mental events that go on inside our heads and influence behavior. Unlike other psychological perspectives, this approach focuses on how we process emotions,make decisions, and solve problems.
Cognitive psychologists often use an information-processing model (comparing the human mind to a computer) to conceptualize how information is acquired, processed, stored, and utilized. For example, a psychologist taking the cognitive perspective might be interested in how you retrieve memories, analyze information, and form answers when you take a tough school exam.
This approach also lays the groundwork forcognitive-behavioral therapy(CBT), a therapeutic approach that strives to identify and then change negative thinking patterns that contribute to psychological problems.
4. The Biological Perspective
The study of physiology played a major role in the development of psychology as a separate science. Today, the perspective is known as biological psychology (also called biopsychology or physiological psychology). The point of view emphasizes the physical and biological bases of behavior.
Researchers with abiological perspectiveon psychology might look at how genetics influence behavior or how damage to specific areas of the brain affect personality.
Biopsychologists look at the brain, but they are also interested in other body systems including the nervous, immune, and endocrine systems. The role that genetics plays in behavior and psychological problems is also a huge area of interest.
Over the last few decades, the perspective has grown significantly with advances in our ability to explore and understand the human brain and nervous system.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) scans give researchers tools to observe the brain under a variety of conditions. Scientists can now look at the effects of brain damage, drugs, and disease in ways that were not possible in the past. It’s led to new insights (and treatments) for problems since we are now better able to understand the biological aspects of mental illness.
5. The Cross-Cultural Perspective
Cross-cultural psychologyis a fairly new perspective that has grown significantly in the last twenty years. Psychologists and researchers in this school of thought look at human behavior across different cultures.
By examining these differences, we can learn more about how culture influences our thinking and behavior.
The differences in social behaviors between individualistic and collectivistic cultures are one good example of how this perspective can offer fresh insights. For example, researchers have studied how social behaviors differ in individualistic and collectivistic cultures. Individualistic cultures place emphasis on independence and self-reliance, while collectivist cultures stress social harmony and cohesiveness.
6. The Evolutionary Perspective
Evolutionary psychologyfocuses on the study of how the theory of evolution can explain physiological processes. Psychologists who take this perspective apply the basic principles of evolution (like natural selection) to psychological phenomena.
The evolutionary perspective suggests that these mental processes exist because they serve an evolutionary purpose—meaning they aid in human survival and reproduction.
This perspective suggests that psychological traits like fear, aggression, and social bonding have developed because they offer some survival advantage. For example, our tendency to form close relationships may have evolved because cooperating and being close to others increased the chances of finding food, shelter, and other crucial resources for survival.
7. The Humanistic Perspective
The humanistic perspective emphasizes the role of motivation in thought and behavior. Concepts such as self-actualization are essential. Psychologists with a humanist perspective focus on what drives humans to grow, change, and develop their personal potential.
Positive psychology(which focuses on helping people live happier, healthier lives) is a recent movement in psychology with roots in the humanist perspective.
This field focuses on the things that can improve quality of life, happiness, and subjective well-being. For example, this perspective helps us understand how practices likegratitudeandcompassionstrengthenresilienceand reduce stress.
Takeaways
It’s important to remember that there are many ways to think about human thought and behavior. The different perspectives in modern psychology give researchers and students tools to approach problems and answer questions. They also guide psychologists in finding new ways to explain and predict human behavior.
Exploring problems from multiple angles and through different lenses can help us better understand the many factors involved. It can even lead to the development of new treatment approaches.
Major Branches of Psychology
8 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Tarzian M, Ndrio M, Fakoya AO.An introduction and brief overview of psychoanalysis.Cureus. 2023;15(9):e45171. doi:10.7759/cureus.45171Fonagy P.The effectiveness of psychodynamic psychotherapies: An update.World Psychiatry. 2015;14(2):137–150. doi:10.1002/wps.20235Malone JC.Did John B. Watson really “found” behaviorism?.Behav Anal. 2014;37(1):1–12. doi:10.1007/s40614-014-0004-3Mandler G.Origins of the cognitive (r)evolution.J Hist Behav Sci. 2002;38(4):339-353. doi:10.1002/jhbs.10066Nakao M, Shirotsuki K, Sugaya N.Cognitive-behavioral therapy for management of mental health and stress-related disorders: Recent advances in techniques and technologies.Biopsychosoc Med. 2021;15(1):16. doi:10.1186/s13030-021-00219-wD’Hooge R, Balschun D.Biological psychology. In: Runehov ALC, Oviedo L, eds.Encyclopedia of Sciences and Religions. Springer Netherlands; 2013:231-239. doi:10.1007/978-1-4020-8265-8_240Egeland J.Evolutionary psychology and normal science: In search of a unifying research program.Integr Psychol Behav Sci. 2023;57(2):390-411. doi:10.1007/s12124-022-09736-xWaterman AS.The humanistic psychology-positive psychology divide: contrasts in philosophical foundations.Am Psychol. 2013;68(3):124-33. doi:10.1037/a0032168
8 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Tarzian M, Ndrio M, Fakoya AO.An introduction and brief overview of psychoanalysis.Cureus. 2023;15(9):e45171. doi:10.7759/cureus.45171Fonagy P.The effectiveness of psychodynamic psychotherapies: An update.World Psychiatry. 2015;14(2):137–150. doi:10.1002/wps.20235Malone JC.Did John B. Watson really “found” behaviorism?.Behav Anal. 2014;37(1):1–12. doi:10.1007/s40614-014-0004-3Mandler G.Origins of the cognitive (r)evolution.J Hist Behav Sci. 2002;38(4):339-353. doi:10.1002/jhbs.10066Nakao M, Shirotsuki K, Sugaya N.Cognitive-behavioral therapy for management of mental health and stress-related disorders: Recent advances in techniques and technologies.Biopsychosoc Med. 2021;15(1):16. doi:10.1186/s13030-021-00219-wD’Hooge R, Balschun D.Biological psychology. In: Runehov ALC, Oviedo L, eds.Encyclopedia of Sciences and Religions. Springer Netherlands; 2013:231-239. doi:10.1007/978-1-4020-8265-8_240Egeland J.Evolutionary psychology and normal science: In search of a unifying research program.Integr Psychol Behav Sci. 2023;57(2):390-411. doi:10.1007/s12124-022-09736-xWaterman AS.The humanistic psychology-positive psychology divide: contrasts in philosophical foundations.Am Psychol. 2013;68(3):124-33. doi:10.1037/a0032168
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Tarzian M, Ndrio M, Fakoya AO.An introduction and brief overview of psychoanalysis.Cureus. 2023;15(9):e45171. doi:10.7759/cureus.45171Fonagy P.The effectiveness of psychodynamic psychotherapies: An update.World Psychiatry. 2015;14(2):137–150. doi:10.1002/wps.20235Malone JC.Did John B. Watson really “found” behaviorism?.Behav Anal. 2014;37(1):1–12. doi:10.1007/s40614-014-0004-3Mandler G.Origins of the cognitive (r)evolution.J Hist Behav Sci. 2002;38(4):339-353. doi:10.1002/jhbs.10066Nakao M, Shirotsuki K, Sugaya N.Cognitive-behavioral therapy for management of mental health and stress-related disorders: Recent advances in techniques and technologies.Biopsychosoc Med. 2021;15(1):16. doi:10.1186/s13030-021-00219-wD’Hooge R, Balschun D.Biological psychology. In: Runehov ALC, Oviedo L, eds.Encyclopedia of Sciences and Religions. Springer Netherlands; 2013:231-239. doi:10.1007/978-1-4020-8265-8_240Egeland J.Evolutionary psychology and normal science: In search of a unifying research program.Integr Psychol Behav Sci. 2023;57(2):390-411. doi:10.1007/s12124-022-09736-xWaterman AS.The humanistic psychology-positive psychology divide: contrasts in philosophical foundations.Am Psychol. 2013;68(3):124-33. doi:10.1037/a0032168
Tarzian M, Ndrio M, Fakoya AO.An introduction and brief overview of psychoanalysis.Cureus. 2023;15(9):e45171. doi:10.7759/cureus.45171
Fonagy P.The effectiveness of psychodynamic psychotherapies: An update.World Psychiatry. 2015;14(2):137–150. doi:10.1002/wps.20235
Malone JC.Did John B. Watson really “found” behaviorism?.Behav Anal. 2014;37(1):1–12. doi:10.1007/s40614-014-0004-3
Mandler G.Origins of the cognitive (r)evolution.J Hist Behav Sci. 2002;38(4):339-353. doi:10.1002/jhbs.10066
Nakao M, Shirotsuki K, Sugaya N.Cognitive-behavioral therapy for management of mental health and stress-related disorders: Recent advances in techniques and technologies.Biopsychosoc Med. 2021;15(1):16. doi:10.1186/s13030-021-00219-w
D’Hooge R, Balschun D.Biological psychology. In: Runehov ALC, Oviedo L, eds.Encyclopedia of Sciences and Religions. Springer Netherlands; 2013:231-239. doi:10.1007/978-1-4020-8265-8_240
Egeland J.Evolutionary psychology and normal science: In search of a unifying research program.Integr Psychol Behav Sci. 2023;57(2):390-411. doi:10.1007/s12124-022-09736-x
Waterman AS.The humanistic psychology-positive psychology divide: contrasts in philosophical foundations.Am Psychol. 2013;68(3):124-33. doi:10.1037/a0032168
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