There are various approaches to contemporary psychology. One of the approaches is perspective psychology. Perspectives of Psychology refers to the view that involves certain assumptions (i.e., beliefs) about human behaviour: the way they function, which aspects of them are worthy of study and what research methods are appropriate for undertaking this study. However, Perspectives of Psychology are as follows:
Cognitive perspective
Behavioural perspective
Psychodynamic perspective
Humanistic perspective
Evolutionary perspective
Socio-cultural perspective
Gestalt perspective
Biological perspective
S.N
Perspectives
Focus area
Key figures
1.
Cognitive
Focuses on processing organizing, storing, and retrieving information. And it is concerned with higher mental processes like thinking, memory, problem-solving, etc.
George Miller(1920), Jerome Bruner(1915), and Urich Neisser(1928)
2.
Behavioural
Based on observable behaviours without giving importance to mental processes but the emphasis that learning plays a key role in controlling and influencing all behaviours.
J.B. Watson(1878-1958) and B.F. Skinner(1950)
3.
Psychodynamic
Focuses on the belief that the unconscious mind controls behaviour and early childhood experiences influence greatly personal development.
Sigmund Freud(1856-1939)
4.
Gestalt
Contributed to the area of perception emphasizing on innate tendencies of the human mind to structure the physical world. Also, they described the whole as different from the sum of its part.
Max Wertheimer, Wolf Gang Kohler, Kurt Kuffka (1920-1930).
5.
Humanistic
Emphasizes the psychological health of human beings through psychotherapy, focusing on the individual’s free will, values, and goodness of people.
Carl Rogers(1902-1987) and Abraham Maslow(1908-1970).
6.
Biological
Focuses on the physiology involved in all forms of behaviours and mental processes. Also, uses research tools to investigate the functioning of brains and nerve impulses, and focuses on the role of heredity in normal and abnormal behaviour patterns.
Karl S.Lasthey(1890-1958)
7.
Evolutionary
Focuses on how natural selection favours traits that promote the continuation of one’s genes. How evolution influences behaviour or structure aids in adaption to the environment?
D.M. Buss(1991-2000)
8.
Socio-Cultural
Focuses on the influence of how behaviour and thinking vary across diverse cultures.
