Perspectives in Psychology
Before you continue to learn about psychology, it will be helpful to understand a bit more about each of the different perspectives currently used in psychology. A perspective is a specific approach to the discipline of psychology with distinct assumptions, values, and techniques regarding the study of mental processes and behaviors. Each perspective is based on a core set of assumptions about behavior and mental processes. The different perspectives sometimes reflect different value judgments about what parts of one's experience are most important.
These are difficult questions, and as you will see, each perspective answers these questions a bit differently. Take a moment to learn more about each of the different psychological perspectives, along with the advantages and disadvantages of each approach. Click on the player to begin.
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Psychological Perspectives in Practice
You have learned about the most important perspectives in psychology, but how would you apply each framework to real-life questions that psychologists face? For example, how might each perspective explain anxiety? In this interactivity, you will have an opportunity to explore how each of the seven perspectives interprets the causes of anxiety. Click on the player to begin.
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Although you have learned a lot about the key perspectives of psychology, along with their advantages and disadvantages, there is one more thing to keep in mind: most psychologists use multiple perspectives in their research or practice. Taking an approach that draws from various perspectives as needed, is referred to as eclectic. This eclectic approach is a common one and prevents the sole reliance on one perspective at the exclusion of all the others.
Back at Woodlawn High School
HANNAH: Mr. Baker, I get that psychology isn't just about sitting on couches to analyze people's problems or their personality, and that there are lots of different approaches. Which one do you think is right?
MR BAKER: It took me a long time to realize that there wasn't necessarily one best perspective. Each one helps contribute to an overall understanding, but isn't really complete on its own. I'm going to play a recording of a poem for you. It might help you think about the perspectives this year in the course. This poem is a little old, but it's a good one. It's set in ancient India, so imagine yourself there for just the next couple of minutes. Then, think about how this may relate to the different psychological perspectives.
Listen to "The Blind Men and the Elephant" by John Godfrey Saxe.
View a printable version of the Hindu fable.
Perspectives in Psychology Review
Now that you have explored seven perspectives in psychology, review your knowledge in this non-graded activity. Click on the player to get started.