Introduction
II. Sociology: Thinking Like a Sociologist
Sociology Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION
I. EXAMING SOCIAL LIFE
A. Social Sciences
B. Sociology: Thinking Like a Sociologist
C. Psychology: Why Study it?
Social Science
Social Sciences: are the related disciplines that study the
various aspects of human social behavior. They deal with
people and their social relationships. Are concerned with
social aspect of man‟s life
Anthropology
Is the comparative study of various aspects of past
and present cultures. Studies the ways of life among
simple technological communities.
Economics
Is the study of the choices people make in an effort to
satisfy their needs and wants.
Economists examine the processes by which goods and
services are produced, distributed and consumed.
Also examine the effects of government policies on
economic growth and stability.
History
Is the study of past events.
Political Science
Is the study of the organization and operation of
governments.
Psychology
The science that deals with the behavior and thinking of
organisms.
Sociology
Is the social science that studies human society and social
behavior.
Social Psychology
Is the study of how an individual‟s behavior and
personality are affected by the social environment.
Introduction
I.b. Sociology: Thinking Like a Sociologist
Sociology Chapter 1
BELL RINGER
THEMATIC JOURNAL
YOUR NAME
SOCIOLOGY-PSYCHOLOGY
Entry #1 Wednesday August 31, 2011
Write a list of as many things as you can think of to
describe yourself.
SOCIOLOGY
All items still listed are indications that we are not simply
members of a society but that we also identify ourselves
in social terms
MY LIST
DAUGHTER
SISTER
AUNT
TEACHER
PSEA MEMBER
PCSS MEMBER/OFFICER
METHODIST
HISTORIAN
FRIEND
PEER
SOCIOLOGY IS A SCIENCE
Sociology‟s place in the Social Sciences
Social Sciences: are the related disciplines that study the
various aspects of human social behavior. They deal with
people and their social relationships. Are concerned with
social aspect of man‟s life
Behavioral Sciences: their primary concern is with human
behavior.
How do you think the study of sociology
might be similar to the study of history?
The goals of studying history
The methods of studying and researching history
How studying past events can help explain current social
behaviors and attitudes
SOCIOLOGY
Everyone knows some sociology
Tofunction in society everyone
must learn to follow certain rules
and play appropriate parts in the
groups to which he or she belongs.
What might you already know about the
study of sociology
Issues that effect individuals and groups in society
Issues that concern culture
Issues that concern social institutions such as the
economic or political system
INTRODUCTION
We do not all view things the same way
This gives society diversity
Same time : we share many of the same perceptions and
characteristics.
These diversities and similarities are what interest
sociologists
Sociologists
Observe
Describe
Analyze
Predict
PEOPLE‟S BEHAVIOR
Sociologists
Aremost interested in group
behavior in complex societies.
Section 1: Examining Social Life
Question
What does it mean to have
a sociological imagination?
Sociological Imagination
The ability to see the connection between the larger
world and one‟s personal life
Section 1: Examining Social Life
SOCIOLOGICAL SOCIOLOGICAL
PERSPECTIVE IMAGINATION
Look beyond commonly Capacity to range from
held beliefs to hidden impersonal and
meanings in human remote [topics] to
actions intimate features of
human self
See beyond own day-
to-day life by viewing To see relations
world through others’ between the larger
eyes world and personal life
Introduction
I. c. Psychology: Why Study it?
Psychology Chapter 1
BELL RINGER
In your journal answer the following question as Entry #2
What benefits do you hope to gain by studying
psychology?
I.C. Psychology
Why Study It?
PSYCHOLOGY
Thescientific study of behavior
and mental processes.
BEHAVIOR
Is any action that other people can observe or measure.
Activities : waking up, rising from bed, raising the blinds,
laughing, walking, talking, sleeping, eating, drinking,
Automatic body functions: heart rate, blood pressure,
brain activity
May be measured by simple observation or by laboratory
instruments.
COGNITIVE ACTIVITIES
Mental Processes: dreams, perceptions, thoughts
memories
Psychologists study people’s
Emotions or feelings.
Emotions can effect both behavior and
mental processes.
Psychological Constructs
Theoretical entities, or concepts,
that enable one to discuss
something that cannot be seen,
touched or measured directly.
FIVE GOALS OF PSYCHOLOGY
OBSERVE
DESCRIBE
EXPLAIN
PREDICT
CONTROL
EVENTS BEING STUDIED
Psychologists observe and describe behavior
And mental processes to better understand them.
A better understanding of behavior enables
Psychologists to explain, predict, and control
Behavior.
NATURAL SCIENCES
Some Psychology is closely related to natural sciences
Functioning of the brain: Biology
Scientific Method used by Psychologists: same steps for
research
Conduct surveys and experiments
Collect and analyze data, draw conclusions
Psychologists test ideas through research methods
Surveys collect data through questions
Experimentation
VOCABULARY
Theories: A statement that attempts to explain why
things are the way they are and happen the way they do.
Allow psychologists to predict behaviors and mental
processes
Principle: is a rule of law
WHAT DO PSYCHOLOGISTS DO?
Interested in behavior and believe in the value of scientific
research
Share belief that theories about behavior and mental
processes should be supported by scientific evidence
Some only research, investigate the factors that give rise to
behaviors and explain certain mental processes, form
theories and test them, predicting behaviors
Others Consult, apply psychological knowledge in form of
therapy to help change behavior.
FIELDS OF PSYCHOLOGY
CLINICAL
LARGEST GROUP
HELP PEOPLE WITH PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS
◦ Anxiety,
◦ Depression
◦ several psychological disorders
HELP CLIENTS OVERCOME/ADJUST
HELP WITH PROBLEMS
◦ Relationships
◦ drug abuse
◦ weight
TRAINED TO EVALUATE THROUGH
◦ Interviews
◦ Psychological Tests
• HELP TO :
•Understand
• Resolve
• By changing ineffective or harmful behaviors
•WORK IN
•Hospitals
•Prisons
• College and University Clinics
•Private Practice
•NOT PSYCHIATRISTS
•Medical doctor who specializes in the treatment
of psychological problems, can prescribe medication
COUNSELING
TREAT PEOPLE WHO HAVE ADJUSTMENT
PROBLEMS
◦ Conflict in family, job, teachers
METHODS
◦ Interviews
◦ Tests to identify problems
TECHNIQUES
◦ Clarify goals
◦ Overcome adjustment problems
◦ Meet challenges
•WORK IN
•Business
•Colleges and University Counseling centers
• Testing Centers
SCHOOL
IDENTIFY AND HELP STUDENTS WHO HAVE
PROBLEMS THAT INTERFERE WITH
LEARNING
◦ Peer Group
◦ Family Problems
◦ Learning Disorders
TALK WITH
◦ Teachers
◦ Parents
◦ Student themselves
•TECHNIQUES
•Administer Tests
• Intelligence
• Achievement
• Observe in classroom
• Advise teachers, parents , school officials
•About how to help certain students reach
Their potential or over come difficulties
EDUCATIONAL
HELP STUDENTS TO
◦ LEARN
◦ FOCUS
FOCUS ON
◦ Course Planning
◦ Instructional Methods
INTERESTED IN
◦ Theoretical issues relating to
Measurement of abilities, learning
Child and Adolescent development
• RESEARCH AND INTEREST INCLUDE
WAYS IN WHICH LEARNING IS AFFECTED
•PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS
• Motivation
• Emotions
• Creativity
•Intelligence
•CULTURAL FACTORS
•Beliefs
•ECONOMIC FACTORS
•Level of Income
•INSTRUCTIONAL FACTORS
•In the classroom
DEVELOPMENTAL
STUDY CHANGES THAT OCCUR
THROUGHOUT A PERSON’S LIFE SPAN
◦ Physical
◦ Emotional: self concept, self-esteem
◦ Cognitive: mental images of world
◦ Social: bonds, relationships
ATTEMPT TO SORT OUT INFLUENCES OF
◦ Heredity
◦ Environment
PERSONALITY
IDENTIFY CHARACTERISTICS/TRAITS
STUDY DEVELOPMENT OF THESE TRAITS
ORIGINS OF PROBLEMS AND DISORDERS
◦ ANXIETY
◦ AGGRESSION
◦ GENDER ROLES
SOCIAL
CONCERNED WITH PEOPLE’S BEHAVIOR
IN A SOCIAL SITUATION
◦ Ways women and men typically behave in a given setting
◦ Physical and psychological factors that attract people
◦ Reasons people tend to conform to group standards and
expectations.
◦ How people’s behavior changes when they are members of
a group
◦ Reasons for and the effects of prejudice and discrimination
with various groups.
◦ Situation s in which people act aggressively and those in
which they help others
EXPERIMENTAL
CONDUCT RESEARCH INTO BASIC
PROCESSES
◦ The function of the nervous system
◦ Relationships between biological changes and
psychological events
More likely to engage in BASIC RESEARCH
SPECIALISTS
SPORTS
INDUSTRIAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL
ENVIRONMENTAL
CONSUMER
FORENSIC
HEALTH
II. The Development of Sociology/
Psychology
A. History of Sociology/Sociologists
B. History of
Psychology/psychologists
C. Major and contemporary
theoretical perspectives for both
A. Sociology: Development
Sociology developed in the 19th century
Factors leading to the development
Rapid social and political changes that took place in Europe
during 17th and 18th centuries
The Industrial Revolution
Rural economy changes to large-scale production, factories replace
cottage industries.
Growth of Factories Growth of Cities
The Rapid explosion of the urban population produced a
multitude of social problems.
Unemployment
Housing shortages
Crime
Pollution
Development of Sociology
People raised in small rural communities where
interactions were based on close personal relationships
found themselves faced with the impersonal surroundings
of cities and factories
It became impossible to ignore the impact of the Society
on the Individual
Development of Sociology
Individual Liberty Individual Rights
Became the focus of a wide variety of political
movements:
American Revolution
French Revolution
Development of Sociology
Developments in natural science
The use of systematic and scientific methods of studying the
physical world.
Auguste Comte: The Father of Sociology
French philosopher ( 1798-1857)
First to use the term sociology to describe the study of
society
Concerned with finding solutions to the chaos created by
the French Revolution
Believed that his philosophy of society was the key to
bringing stability to the world.
Thought the science should be studied together; botany,
physiology, archaeology, history
Developed word-Latin word: Socios-Society combined
with ology: study of = Study of Society.
Auguste Comte: The Father of Sociology
He was influenced by Scientific methods
Argued that sociologists could use similar methods to uncover
the laws that governed the operation of society
He was concerned with 2 basic problems
Order
Change
Auguste Comte: The Father of Sociology
Sociology should include everything
A-pex of all other studies of man
All leading up to Sociology
Sociology pulls
Everything together
Harriet Martineau (1802-1876)
English
Parents valued learning made sure she received a good
education
Wanted to make a living as a writer
By 1830 respected writer
1837: published Society in America based on observations while
traveling in the US, reviewed how well we lived up to promise
of demcracy.
Harriet Martineau
Observed
Marriage
The family
Race relations
Education
Religion
Established the focus of sociological study
Set standard of objectivity in research
Harriet Martineau
1853 translated Comte‟s Positive Philosophy
Introduced Comte‟s ideas to English speakers, influence on Britain
and the US
Impact on scholars: she believed scholares should advocate
change to solve the problems that they studied
She spoke out in favor of
women‟s rights
Religious tolerance
End of slavery
HERBERT SPENCER (1820-1903)
English
Strongly influenced by views of Charles Darwin
Adopted a biological model of society
Living organism biological systems works together to maintain health of
organism
Attributed a similar process to society viewed society as a set
of interdependent parts that work together to maintain the
system over time.
HERBERT SPENCER
Used Darwin‟s notion of Evolution to describe nature in
society
Social change and unrest to be natural occurrences in a
society‟s evolution toward stability and perfection.
Believed the best aspects of society would survive over time,
believed No steps should be taken to correct social ills.
HERBERT SPENCER
Coined term “survival of the fittest” reference to weeding out
process.
Believed the fittest societies would survive overtime,
leading to a general upgrading of the world as a whole.
Social Darwinism: Spencer‟s brand of sociology.
HERBERT SPENCER
Spenser too refused to read writings of scholars whose
ideas differed from his own and disregarded rules of
careful scholarship and made unproven claims about the
workings of the world.
The increase in social problems led to disfavor of Social
Darwinism.
Emile Durkheim
Frenchmen( 1858-1917)
Educated France and Germany
University of Bordeaux developed country‟s first
university sociology course.
First to systematically apply the methods of science to
the study of society.
Concerned like Comte with the problem of social order.
Like Spenser saw society as a set of interdependent parts
that maintain the system throughout time.
Viewed role of these interdependent parts in terms of
their function: the consequence that an element of
society produces
Emile Durkheim
Particularly interested in the function of religion in
maintaining social order.
Shared beliefs and values were the glue that held society
together.
This view influential in modern American Sociology
Basis of his scientific analysis of society was his belief that
sociologists should only study features of society that are
directly observable. Used statistical analysis.
Major study 1897 suicide rates in several European
countries
Max Weber (Vay-buhr)
Born in Prussia(Germany) 1864- 1920
Doctoral degree from University of Berlin 1889
Became professor of Economics at University of
Heidelberg
Interested in separate groups within society
Focused more on the effect of society on the individual.
Thought sociologists should go beyond studying what can
be directly observed called this Verstehen: involves
attempt to understand the meanings individuals attach to
their actions. Put oneself in the place of others see
situation through their eyes.
Max Weber (Vay-buhr)
Ideal Type: a description comprised of the essential
characteristics of a feature of society.
A feature might be: public schools, attitudes about work
Ideal type is constructed by first examining many different
examples of the feature and then by deducing its essential
characteristics.
American Scholars
University of Chicago formed Sociology department late
1800‟s
Members adopted distinctive style of thinking about society Chicago
School
Interested in group interactions and the impact of society on individual
development
Charles Horton Cooley
George Herbert Meade
Also believed that the study of society should be
accompanied by an effort to find practical solutions to social problems
American Scholars
Jane Addams( 1860-1035)
Wealth Illinois family
Favored education
Attended Rockford College earned bachelor’s degree,
went on to medical school in Philadelphia, quit poor
health
1880’s visited London:Toynbee Hall, a settlement
house assistance to the poor
American Scholars
Jane Addams
Determined to open a similar center in the US
1889 opened Hull House on West Side of Chicago
Offered welfare
Educational
Recreational services
To residents of neighborhood
American Scholars
Jane Addams
Realized to help poor she had to understand the exact nature of their
problems
Surveyed the poor and the conditions in which they lived
Published Hull House Maps and Papers
Wage levels
Sweatshops
Child labor
Immigrant experience
Living conditions in poverty-stricken neighborhoods
First serious discussion of two major social forces industrialization and
urbanization.
American Scholars
Jane Addams
Member of American Sociological Society
Spoke at national conferences
Published in American Journal of sociology
Most sociologists did not give her work serious consideration,
considered her a social worker.
American Scholars
W.E.B. DuBois ( 1868-1963)
took a similar approach to studying society
Mixed social analysis with social reform
First African American to earn a doctorate at Harvard
Influenced by Max Weber, Berlin
1899 published The Philadelphia Negro
Examined life in African American neighborhood in Philadelphia
First empirical community studies
Identified that race was an issue that needed to be addressed
Help to found NAACP National Association for the Advancement of Colored
People
Ran counter to accepted view on race
Introduction
II. B. History of Psychology
Psychology Chapter 1
the history of psychology
Psychology is as old as human history
Roots in Ancient Greece
PLATO
Student of Socrates
“Know thyself” Motto of
Psychological study
Socrates can learn about
ourselves by carefully
examining our thoughts
and feelings-
INTROSPECTION
“looking within”
ARISTOTLE
Plato‟s student, Greek Philosopher raised
questions about human behavior
Outlines laws of association-heart of
learning theory
Experiences often remind us of similar
experiences in the past how the face of a
loved one makes us feel secure, how
thoughts leads to ideas we dream
Peri Psyches: his work “about the mind”
Scientific approach
Human behavior subject to certain rules and
laws
ARISTOTLE
One such law people are
motivated to seek pleasure and
to avoid pain
Explores sensation and
perception, thought,
intelligence, needs and motives,
feelings, emotions and memory
HIPPOCRATES
Greek theorized about
psychological problems
Confusion, bizarre
behavior caused by Gods
for punishment of wrong
doing
Hippocrates suggested
such problems are caused
by abnormalities in the
brain
THE MIDDLE AGES
Europeans believed problems such as agitation and
confusion were signs of possession by demon
Tests used to determine
Water test
MODERN SCIENCE
1500’S
John Locke: Association theorized that knowledge is not
born but is learned from experience
Tabula Rosa: Clean Slate
Scientific Approach led to modern psychology in the
1800‟s Argued ideas of human behavior and mental
processes supported by evidence.
1879 Psychology Labs in Europe set up similar to
chemistry
Introduction
II. B. Psychologists
Psychology Chapter 1
BELL RINGER
In your journal make a list of as many movies or TV shows
you have seen or books you have read that have the
profession of psychologists as characters.
In your journal Identify the aspects of human behavior and
mental processes you would most like to learn about.
Key Psychologists
Chapter 1
Introspection/ Structuralism
Wilhelm Wundt-
did observation called
introspection where you
would observe yourself.
sort of the father of
psychology
Structuralists concerned with discovering the
basic elements of consciousness
Objective Sensations Subjective Feelings
Sight Emotional responses
Taste Mental images
Accurately reflect ASK: What are the
outside world structures( elements ) of
psychological processes
)
Believe that human mind functions by combining
these basic elements of experience.
FUNCTIONALISM
Williams James can‟t
break down conscious
experience, it is
continuous „stream of
consciousness‟
Focused on relationships
between experience and
behavior
FUNCTIONALISTS
Concerned with how Methods different
mental processes help Behavioral observation in
organism to adapt to a laboratory as well as
their environment introspection
ASK: What are the
Stressed application of purposes(functions) of
their findings in everyday behavior and mental
situations processes?
What do certain behaviors
and mental processes
accomplish for the person
Propose that adaptive behavior patterns are
learned and maintained because they are
successful.
Adaptive actions are repeated and eventually
become habits
At first require repetition and success, eventually
become automatic.
Behaviorism
John B. Watson: saw
consciousnesss as a
private event that is
known only to the
individual.
Therefore: Psychology as a
natural science must be
limited to only observable,
measureable events,
behavior
Ivan Pavlov
Conditioned Stimulus,
Conditioned Response
Conditioning
Conducted experiment with dogs
Rang tuning fork show dog food dog
salivates
Tuning Fork = Neutral Stimulus
Dog = Unconditioned Stimulus
Pavlov created a Conditioned Response- rang
tuning fork- even if food wasn‟t there- dog would
salivate
B. Skinner
Reinforcement
learn how to do
something after trying
many things.
Operant Conditioning-
you learn what works you
continue to do so
rat experiment- rat
presses on lever and food
comes out.
Journals
In what ways are you trained like that?
You are trained in many ways for schooling purposes, try
to name three of them.
The Gestalt School
Max Wertheimer Idea that perceptions are
Kurt Koffba more than the sums of
Wolfgang Khohler their parts
Context influences people‟s They are wholes that give
interpretation shape or meaning to parts
Reject
Structuralists: breaking down of parts
Behaviorists: concentrate only on observable behaviors
Beliefs
Learning is active and purposeful
Problem solving by insight not repetition
Insight the reorganization of perceptions that enables an
individual to solve a problem.
Sigmund Freud
School of Psychoanalysis
Emphasis the importance
of unconcious motives and
internal conflicts in
determining behavior
Free Association
Freud-
Asked patients to relate anything which came into their
mind to their lives.
technique assumed that all memories are arranged in a
single associative network
Eventually certain, important memories will surface
Found that certain resistance kept subjects from sharing
painful memories
Found certain parts of memories are repressed- too
painful to bring up
c. Major and contemporary
theoretical perspectives
Sociology Chapter 1
Section 2: Sociology: Then and Now
Functionalists
See society as a set of interrelated
parts that work together to produce a
stable social system; focus on
functions and dysfunctions
THREE SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES
Conflict Theorists Interactionists
Focus on forces in society Focus on how individuals
that promote competition interact in society and on
and change; see social the meanings individuals
change as an inevitable attach to their own and
feature of society others’ actions
Sociological Perspectives
Theory is a systematic explanation of the
relationships among phenomena
Sociological Perspectives
Theories developed by
sociologists to guide their
work and help to interpret
their findings and to adopt
broad theoretical perspectives
to provide a foundation for
their inquires.
THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVE
Is the general set of assumptions about the nature of
phenomena. In sociology this perspective outlines certain
assumptions about the nature of social life.
3 Basic Theoretical Perspectives
Basis of modern sociology each presents a slightly
different image of society or focuses on different aspects
of social life.
FUNCTIONALIST PERSPECTIVE
This is a view of society as a set of interrelated parts that
work together to produce a stable social system.
Functionalists believe that society is held together through
Consensus ( most people
agree on what is best for society and work together to ensure
that the social system runs smoothly.
Follows tradition of Spencer and Durkheim
• Topics of Interest: Division of work in the
family: Functions of Education
• View various elements in society in terms of
their functions: positive consequences
• Label certain elements in society
•Dysfunctional: those elements which do
Do not run smoothly-
the negative consequence an element has
For the stability of the social system is a
Dysfunction
• Manifest Function: is the intended and
recognized consequence of some element of
society.
• Latent Function: is the unintended and un-
recognized consequence of an element of
society.
CONFLICT PERSPECTIVE
Focuses on those forces in society that promote
competition and change
Follows Marx
Interested in How those who possess more power in society
exercise control over those
with less power
Not limited to violent conflict
Interested in Non-violent competition between various groups
• Research includes
•Decision making within a family
•Relationships among racial groups
• Labor disputes
• Believe competition over scarce resources
is at the basis of social conflict
• Resources- power wealth limited
• Must compete for them
• Once a particular group gains control of
society’s resources, they establish rules
and procedures that protect their interests
at the expense of other groups
• Inequality Social Conflict
those with less attempt to gain
access to resources.
• Conflict Social Change
• See social change as an
inevitable feature of society
INTERACTIONIST PERSPECTIVE
Focuses on how individuals interact with one another in
society
Interested in ways in which individuals respond to one another
in everyday situations
Interested in the meaning individuals attach to their own
actions and to the actions of others
Many sociologists of this theory label themselves Social
Psychologists
• Indebted to Max Weber
• particular interest is the role that symbols
play in our daily lives.
•Symbol: is anything that stands for
something else. To be a symbol members
of society must agree on the meaning that
is attached to it.
• Physical objects, gestures, words, events
• Flag, bald eagle, 4th of July, Uncle Sam,
Salute, Thanksgiving
•
Symbolic Interaction
Interactionists focus on interaction between people that
takes place through the use of symbols
Used to study topics such as
child development
relationships within groups
Mate Selections
Especially influential in the US
The Sociological Perspective
A new way or perspecti ve for looking at ourselves and
the world
Sociologists: Peter Berger looks at everyday events in
different ways.
It allows us to look beyond commonly held beliefs to the
hidden meaning of human action.
Assures us we are social beings
•It tells us that our behavior is the result of social
factors and that we might have learned our
Behavior from others.
•We can look at ourselves and the world more
Objectively.
• To research areas of great importance in our own
lives.
• Increase our sense of what is possible, help us
see beyond our day to day world, freedom to think
and act in new and different ways.
C. Psychological Perspectives
Psychology Chapter 1
SEVEN MAIN CONTEMPORARY PERSPECTIVES IN
PSYCHOLOGY
Biological –
Emphasizes the influence of biology on our behavior.
Foundational roots in associationism:
Believe our mental processes, thoughts, fantasies and
dreams are made possible by the nervous system.
Key component the Brain
Look for connections between events in the brain
and behavior and mental processes.
Biological Perspective
Use several techniques
CAT Scans show which parts of brain are involved
}
PET Scans in various mental processes
Parts of brain are highly active when listen to music
Another when solving math problems
Another with certain psychological disorders
Biological Perspective
They are also interested in the influences of hormones, genetic
factors
Evolutionary Perspective
Evolutionary –focuses on the evolution of behavior and mental
processes.
physical traits
social behavior
Charles Darwin theorized that in the struggle for
survival, the most-adaptive organisms have the greater
chance of surviving.
Suggest that many types of behavior patterns
Aggressive are hereditary in basis.
Believe inherited tendencies influence people to act in certain
ways.
Cognitive Perspective
Cognitive – emphasizes the role that thoughts play in
determining behavior.
Study mental processes to understand human nature.
They investigate the ways in which people perceive information
and make mental images of the world interpretation of mental
images, thinking, solving problems, dreams and day dreams
Has its roots in Socrates “Know thy self” introspection
Also in structuralism, functionalism and Gestalt
language
Cognitive Perspective
Another aspect involves information processing
Influenced by computer science
A computer process information to solve
Problems.
The information is first fed into the
Computer
The information is then placed in the working memory while
it is being worked on.
After being processed the information is stored more or less
permanently on the computer‟s hard drive or storage device.
Cognitive Perspective
Believe people have working memories and storage
facilities( long term memory)
If information stored in long term memory it must be
retrieved, to retrieve it from a computer need the name
for the data.
Believe people need certain cues to retrieve information
from their long term memories or it is lost to them.
Strategies for solving problems as “mental programs” or
“software”
Cognitive Perspective
Believe our values, perceptions and choices influence our
behaviors
Humanistic Perspective
Stresses the human capacity for self-fulfillment and the
importance of consciousness, self-awareness, and the
capacity to make choices.
Consciousness is seen as the force that shapes
human personality.
Consider people‟s personal experiences to be the most
important aspect of psychology
Believe that self-awareness, experience and choice
permit us to “invent ourselves”
Humanistic Perspective
Believe that we are free to choose our own behavior,
rather than stimuli causing it.
Views people as basically good and desiring to be helpful
to others
Help people to explore their feelings, manage their
negative impulses, and realize their potential.
Critics: that experience is not subject to scientific
observation and measurement.
Learning Perspective
Learning – emphasizes the effects of experience on behavior
Learning is the essential factor in observing, describing,
explaining predicting and controlling behavior.
Behaviorist Theory: the role of Consciousness, John B. Watson
and others believe that people act and react because of their
learning histories and the influence of their situations, not by
conscious choice
Concerned with what a person does, not knows
Environmental influences, focus on learning of habits through
repetition and reinforcement
Learning Perspective
Social Learning Theory: suggest that people can change
their environment or create new ones.
Believe people learn intentionally by observing others.
People‟s expectations and values influence whether or
not they choose to what they have learned how to do.
Sociocultural Perspective
Studies the influences of ethnicity, gender, culture, and
socio-economic status on behavior and mental
processes.