Evolutionary psychology
The school of psychology that studies how humans’ genetically inherited tendencies and dispositions influence a wide range of behaviors.
Has been called a combination of evolutionary biology and cognitive psychology.
Differences in evolutionary psychology and biological psychology
Evolutionary psychology:
Provides explanations of how certain biologically based behaviors came to be common in an entire species.
Focuses on traits that exist in every member of a species.
Biological psychology:
Looks for links between specific behaviors and equally specific biological processes that often help explain individual differences.
Studies the structures of the brain and central nervous system, the functioning of neurons, the delicate balance of neurotransmitters and hormones, and heredity to look for links between these biological factors and behaviors.
The school of psychology that studies how humans’ genetically inherited tendencies and dispositions influence a wide range of behaviors.
Has been called a combination of evolutionary biology and cognitive psychology.
Differences in evolutionary psychology and biological psychology
Evolutionary psychology:
Provides explanations of how certain biologically based behaviors came to be common in an entire species.
Focuses on traits that exist in every member of a species.
Biological psychology:
Looks for links between specific behaviors and equally specific biological processes that often help explain individual differences.
Studies the structures of the brain and central nervous system, the functioning of neurons, the delicate balance of neurotransmitters and hormones, and heredity to look for links between these biological factors and behaviors.
Neuroscience
A field that combines the work of psychologists, biologists, biochemists, medical researchers, and others in the study of the structure and function of the nervous system
Discovered that defects in nerve cell membranes interfere with the cells’ ability to make use of brain chemicals that help us control body movement
Major Perspectives in Psychology:
Behavioral perspective: environmental factors
Psychoanalytic perspective: emotions, unconscious motivations, early childhood experiences
Humanistic perspective: subjective experiences, intrinsic motivation to achieve self-actualization
Cognitive perspective: mental processes
Evolutionary perspective: inherited traits that enhance adaptability
Biological perspective: biological structures, processes, heredity
Sociocultural perspective: social and cultural variables
Social cognition: Reciprocal determination among social/cultural, behavior, and personal characteristics
Today’s Psychologists and Specializations:
Clinical psychologists
Specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of mental and behavioral disorders
Counseling psychologists
Help people who have adjustment problems that are less severe than those generally handled by clinical psychologists
Physiological psychologists
- Also called neuropsychologists
- Study the relationship between physiological processes and behavior
Experimental psychologists
- Specialize in the use of experimental research methods
- Conduct experiments in most fields of specialization in psychology
Developmental psychologists
Study how people grow, develop, and change throughout the life span
Educational psychologists
Specialize in the study of teaching and learning
Social psychologists
Investigate how the individual feels, thinks, and behaves in a social setting—in the presence of others
Industrial/organizational psychologists
Study the relationships between people and their work environments
Dr. William G. Huitt
A field that combines the work of psychologists, biologists, biochemists, medical researchers, and others in the study of the structure and function of the nervous system
Discovered that defects in nerve cell membranes interfere with the cells’ ability to make use of brain chemicals that help us control body movement
Major Perspectives in Psychology:
Behavioral perspective: environmental factors
Psychoanalytic perspective: emotions, unconscious motivations, early childhood experiences
Humanistic perspective: subjective experiences, intrinsic motivation to achieve self-actualization
Cognitive perspective: mental processes
Evolutionary perspective: inherited traits that enhance adaptability
Biological perspective: biological structures, processes, heredity
Sociocultural perspective: social and cultural variables
Social cognition: Reciprocal determination among social/cultural, behavior, and personal characteristics
Today’s Psychologists and Specializations:
Clinical psychologists
Specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of mental and behavioral disorders
Counseling psychologists
Help people who have adjustment problems that are less severe than those generally handled by clinical psychologists
Physiological psychologists
- Also called neuropsychologists
- Study the relationship between physiological processes and behavior
Experimental psychologists
- Specialize in the use of experimental research methods
- Conduct experiments in most fields of specialization in psychology
Developmental psychologists
Study how people grow, develop, and change throughout the life span
Educational psychologists
Specialize in the study of teaching and learning
Social psychologists
Investigate how the individual feels, thinks, and behaves in a social setting—in the presence of others
Industrial/organizational psychologists
Study the relationships between people and their work environments
Dr. William G. Huitt