The five basic perspectives that comprise psychological theory are: Behavioural theories; cognitive theories; developmental theories; humanist theories and personality theories.
Behavioural theories, also known as behaviourism, are based upon the idea that all behaviours are acquired through conditioning. This theory was advocated by famous psychologists like Skinner and Watson, and was heralded as a major force in psychology in the first half of the 20th century. Techniques that have their roots firmly in behaviourism are still often used today to help people to learn new skills and behaviours.
Cognitive theories focus on internal states, such as problem solving, motivation, decision making, thinking and attention.
Developmental theories provide a framework for considering human growth, development and learning. These theories are a valuable tool when it comes to understanding the motivation behind human thought and behaviour, and the impact that this has on upon individuals and society.
Humanist theories began to become more popular in the 50s. Earlier theories very often focused on perceived abnormalities of behaviour and resultant psychological problems, but humanist theorists turned things round, and focused, instead, on the idea that basically, human beings were good. Two important psychologists who advocated these theories were Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow.
Personality theories pretty much mirror what people tend to do on a daily basis without even being aware of it, and that is analyzing people’s personalities and assessing why individuals act or behave in a particular way. Personality psychology looks at thought patterns, feelings and behaviour that make people unique. Some of the best known theories in psychology stem from this one.
There is actually another perspective in psychology as well as these basic five, and that is the social psychology theory, which focuses on helping people to understand and explain social behaviour, including group behaviour, social influence and love.
Behavioural theories, also known as behaviourism, are based upon the idea that all behaviours are acquired through conditioning. This theory was advocated by famous psychologists like Skinner and Watson, and was heralded as a major force in psychology in the first half of the 20th century. Techniques that have their roots firmly in behaviourism are still often used today to help people to learn new skills and behaviours.
Cognitive theories focus on internal states, such as problem solving, motivation, decision making, thinking and attention.
Developmental theories provide a framework for considering human growth, development and learning. These theories are a valuable tool when it comes to understanding the motivation behind human thought and behaviour, and the impact that this has on upon individuals and society.
Humanist theories began to become more popular in the 50s. Earlier theories very often focused on perceived abnormalities of behaviour and resultant psychological problems, but humanist theorists turned things round, and focused, instead, on the idea that basically, human beings were good. Two important psychologists who advocated these theories were Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow.
Personality theories pretty much mirror what people tend to do on a daily basis without even being aware of it, and that is analyzing people’s personalities and assessing why individuals act or behave in a particular way. Personality psychology looks at thought patterns, feelings and behaviour that make people unique. Some of the best known theories in psychology stem from this one.
There is actually another perspective in psychology as well as these basic five, and that is the social psychology theory, which focuses on helping people to understand and explain social behaviour, including group behaviour, social influence and love.
