1. The assumption of cognitive theory is that thoughts are the primary determinants of emotions and behavior. Information processing is a common description of this mental process. Theorists compare the way the human mind functions to a computer.
1.1. MEMORY CONSISTS OF THREE STAGES
1.1.1. Encoding: The information is received and attended to
1.1.2. Storage: The information is retained
1.1.3. Retrieval : The information is recalled
2. HUMANISTIC PERSPECTIVE
2.1. Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow are two important pioneer of humanistic perspective. In this theory, the whole individual is the main subject of the study for psychologists. It is believed by humanistic psychologists that our behaviors are connected to our inner feelings and self-image.
2.1.1. Humanistic Perspective suggests that every person is unique and responsible for his or her own happiness. Therefore, it stress the importance of growth and self-actualization.
3. COGNITIVE PERSPECTIVE
4. BIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY
4.1. The main aim of this perspective is to understand how genes affect the behavior of human. According to biological perspective, all thoughts, feeling and behavior are the result of biological system. Therefore, brain, genetics, hormones, and the immune and nervous systems are studied in biological perspective.
4.1.1. It is believed in biological perspective that most behavior has an evolutionary function. For instance, after the birth of a child, levels of testosterone in fathers drop. This has an evolutionary function of biological perspective.
5. This theory was developed by Sigmund Freud, who is the founder of psychoanalysis. In this theory, it is believed that our behaviors and feelings come from our childhood experiences and unconscious mind. So, the main aim of this theory is to understand what is going on in unconscious mind.
5.1. Human mind is explained as an iceberg by Freud. The visible part of the iceberg represents our observable behaviors. And the invisible part of it represents our unconscious mind. Free association, dream analysis and slips of tongue are used to access the unconscious mind. According to Freud, unconscious mind consists of 'id' 'ego' and 'superego'.
5.1.1. The id is the primitive and instinctual part of the mind that contains sexual and aggressive drives and hidden memories.
5.1.2. The super-ego operates as a moral conscience.
5.1.3. The ego is the realistic part that mediates between the desires of the id and the super-ego.
6. Evolutionary Psychology proposes that the human brain comprises many functional mechanisms, called psychological adaptations or evolved cognitive mechanisms designed by the process of natural selection.
7. BEHAVIORIST PERSPECTIVE
7.1. The main aim of behaviorist approach is to understand how the observable behavior of people and animals (response) are affected by environmental factors (stimuli).
7.1.1. Classical Conditioning: It was discovered by Ivan Pavlov and focuses on a natural reflexes and neutral stimuli. In his study, Pavlov discovered that the dogs he used in his experiment began to associate the repeated sound of the bell, which is a neutral stimuli, with the impending of meat powder. As a result, the dogs begin to salivate, which is a natural reflex.
7.1.2. Operant Conditioning: It is described by B.F. Skinner. Skinner believed that person's motive could explain some behavior. Behaviorism support the idea that all behaviors are determined by environment. So, Skinner suggested that we should look only at observable cause of human behavior to get objective measurement. Also, positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement and punishment are three main behavior shaping techniques.
8. PSYCHODYNAMIC PERSPECTIVE
9. EVOLUTIONARY PERSPECTIVE
9.1. The aim of the evolutionary psychology is to understand how evolution has shaped the mind and behavior.
9.1.1. The mind is therefore equipped with ‘instincts’ that enabled our ancestors to survive and reproduce.