Perspective |
Subject Matter |
Key Assumption |
Influenced By |
Biological |
Nervous system, Endocrine system, hormones, genetic factors |
Biological processes influence behavior and mental processes |
Associationism and neuroscience |
Evolutionary |
Physical traits, social behavior |
Variation from genetic mutation produces adaptive organisms that survive and transmit their genes |
Charles Darwin and evolution |
Cognitive |
Interpretation of mental images, thinking, language |
Perceptions and thoughts influence behavior |
Structuralism, functionalism, Gestalt psychology |
Humanistic |
Self-concept |
People make free and conscious choices based on unique experiences |
Introspection and belief in free will |
Psychoanalytic |
Unconscious processes, early childhood experiences |
Unconscious motives influence behavior |
Sigmund Freud |
Learning |
Environmental influences, learning, observational learning |
Personal experiences and reinforcement guide individual development |
John B Watson, behavioralism |
Sociocultural |
Ethnicity, gender, culture, religion, socio-economic status |
Sociocultural, biological, and psychological factors create individual differences |
Social, environmental, and cross-cultural psychology |
Biopsychosocial |
Biology, psychology, social factors |
Mental processes are influenced by the interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors |
Holistic health and social psychology |