FOUNDATIONS OF PSYCHOLOGY Foundations of Psychology Beverley Austin University of Phoenix General Psychology PSY300 Betsy Ferronato November 07‚ 2011 Foundations of Psychology Introduction The purpose of this essay is to identify the major schools of thought in psychology‚ which are “the psychodynamic‚ behaviorist‚ cognitive‚ and evolutionary perspectives” (Kowalski & Westen‚ 2009‚ p. 12) and examine their major underlying assumptions. Additionally‚ to identify the primary biological foundations
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The Biological Approach to psychology focuses on the body‚ with emphasis on the brain and nervous system. Psychologists attempt to examine our behavior and our mental processes through our physiological reactions to situations in the world around us. One such example is the way your heartbeat increases when you’re scared‚ our how your palms perspire when you lie. There’s no true way to tell exactly how many biological systems are influenced by our thoughts and feelings‚ but thanks to advances in
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Biological Psychology Paper Jacqueline Leday PSY 340 August 24‚ 2010 Lisa M. Shores Biological Psychology Paper Biological Psychology can be defined as the study of the brain‚ and how the brain functions in relation to human behavior. The assumption that mind and brain are linked is the basis of understanding biological psychology. The two areas which are most relevant to Biological Psychology are Neuroanatomy (study of how parts of the brain are connected) and Neurophysiology (study of how
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Historical Foundation of Psychology Functional vs. Structural Psychology Although the philosophic underpinnings of modern psychology are important‚ and surely are necessary for a complete understanding of the development of the academic discourse in psychology‚ I will not undertake to elucidate the distant ancestors of our field. I must justify this position. I certainly believe that the Greek and later philosophers set patterns such as Socratic methodology‚ and the belief that the world is an
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When the English were colonizing North America‚ they brought with them their laws. Being from the British Common Law system‚ the settlers understood how that system worked‚ so they modeled their own government using Common Law. In the 18th century‚ when the Union was formed and the colonies became states‚ they kept their Common Law governments. However‚ the Articles of Confederation set forth to establish one supreme court‚ being the federal court. Article III of the U.S. Constitution states: ’The
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cells‚ hormones‚ and genes (etc) relate to everything one thinks‚ feels‚ does. Biological Psychology: The study of the cells and organs of the body + the phys/chem changes in behavior + mental processes. • Behaviours and mental processes influenced by biology‚ biological processes by environment as well Nervous system : Complex combination of cells that mainly function to let an organism gain information about what is going on inside/outside body and how to respond to it. Three functions of the
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The Biological Approach One of the most perplexing issues in psychology is understanding the relationship between the mind and the brain. We all recognize that we have conscious awareness of our surroundings‚ and also of ourselves (self-awareness). It is this experience which has normally been described as the mind. But what is the basis of the mind? Is it the expression of a non-physical soul‚ or is it a product of physical processes within our body? Philosophers and scientists have been pondering
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AO1 2 Types – Genetic and Biochemical Genetic – depression seems to run in families and a number of studies have shown a correlation between the biological closeness of the relationship and the likelihood of developing depression. Biochemical imbalances in neurotransmitters cause depression; most notably noradrenalin‚ serotonin according to the permissive amine theory is a controller and dopamine. Interruption in the transmission of nervous impulses Hormones – high levels of cortisol – overactive
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and one man in his time plays many parts. —WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE English Playwright‚ 17th Century This book is about human development—its universal features‚ its individual variations‚ its nature. Every life is distinct‚ a new biography in the world. Examining the shape of life-span development allows us to understand it better. A Topical Approach to Life-Span Development is about the rhythm and meaning of people’s lives‚ about turning mystery into understanding‚ and about weaving a portrait of
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Historical Perspectives of Abnormal Psychology Susan Hardin University of Phoenix Abnormal Psychology PSY/410 Krisit Lane‚ Ph.D. October 25‚ 2011 Historical Perspectives of Abnormal Psychology Historical perspectives of abnormal psychology sounds complicated‚ mainly due to the differing definitions‚ or interpretations‚ of what is considered abnormal. Identifying someone at work or in a social situation who appears to be behaving abnormally is easier to spot than it is to define the
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