Question

Choose any two (2) of the five major perspectives in psychology and explain how each adds to the understanding of human thought and behavior.

Answer 1

The five major perspectives in psychology are: biological, psychodynamic, behavioral, cognitive and humanistic.

Explanation of any two:

1) Biological approach: This is the study of how the nervous system, hormones and genetic make up affect behaviour. The connection between the mental states and the brain are being explored along with its connection to human thoughts, moods and actions. They understand human thought and behaviour in terms of the brain, its structure and the body's needs.,They study the physical body and the mind body connection. Their explanations also lie on genetics.

2) Psychodynamic Approach: This approach was proposed by Sigmund Freud. They believe that unconscious drives and experiences from early childhood cause a person to behave in a certain way. Conflict arises when restrictions are placed on these urges. This school of psychology delves into the childhood experiences and its successful completions which reflects in ones adult behaviour. If a person, does not complete a stage successfully then it gets stored in the unconscious and then manifests when the person grows up.