Perspectives on Psychology, DVD

Part of the Series : Understanding Psychology

Length: 42 minutes

ORDER CODE: BVL40121

ISBN: 978-1-60825-467-5

Copyright date: ©2001

Closed Captioned

Better self-control begins with an understanding of the psychological factors that affect behavior. Section one of this program focuses on the influence of brain structure, brain chemistry, and genetics on behavior; section two illustrates key concepts of psychoanalytic theory; and section three distinguishes between classical and operant conditioning. Strengths and limitations of the biological, psychodynamic, and behaviorist perspectives are addressed as well. The program concludes by considering the issue of determinism and free will. A part of the series Understanding Psychology. (41 minutes)


Contents

What Is Psychology? (02:55)
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Experts provide definitions of psychology. Cognitive, social, and developmental psychology are branches of study. Psychology looks at individual differences

Psychology: Biological Perspective (03:06)
The biological perspective of psychology is the study of the relation between brain activity and behavior. Psychologists study brains of animals, or injured human brains. Brain scanning is a non-invasive procedure.

Brain Chemistry/Human Behavior (04:44)
Brain structure does not act alone in governing human behavior. Chemicals, such as hormones, alter behavior radically at times. Is behavior determined at birth? The biological perspective reveals more and more about abnormal behavior.

Psychology: Psychodynamic Approach (04:00)
The psychodynamic approach to psychology looks at the motivations for behavior, motivations that may be rooted in childhood. The unconscious mind is not immediately accessible to people. Concepts: id, ego, superego.

Unconscious Motivations (04:36)
The role of therapy helps people explore unconscious motivations. Freudian theory cannot be stated in a testable way, nor is it quantifiable. Many mental and physical conditions may be psychosomatic.

Psychology: Behaviorist Perspective (01:49)
The behaviorist approach to psychology is concerned with processes occurring outside of the individual. American psychologist John Watson first coined the word "behaviorism." This theory discounts innate forces in shaping behavior.

Psychology: Behavioral Processes and Classical Conditioning (02:54)
Russian scientists Pavlov discovers that animals can be conditioned to respond to stimuli in ways not innate to them. This is called "classical conditioning." Watson argues that a child's affection for its mother is classically conditioned.

B.F. Skinner: Operant Conditioning (02:36)
B.F. Skinner is one of the most influential of the behaviorists. His famous "Skinner box" demonstrated that behavior of rats could be modified in predictable ways. Learning in ths Skinner system is called "operant conditioning."

Relevance of Behaviorism (04:14)
People learn through trial and error what works and what does not. Today, psychologists criticize the behaviorist theory for its singular focus on rewards and punishments. Today, advertisements make use of the behaviorist approach.

Determinism vs. Free Will (01:12)
Psychological theories reveal that behavior is caused by something people are not in control of, namely biology, the unconscious mind, or the environment. Where does free will come into play?

Psychology Exam Advice: Part I (03:38)
How important is it to know the various approaches to psychology? An examination expert demonstrates proper responses to questions on the oral exam. The breadth of a student's knowledge will help score higher marks.

Psychology Exam Advice: Part ll (04:09)
How important are names and dates in the psychology exam? They are not as important as the student's ability to display his or her depth of psychological knowledge. Be prepared to offer appropriate knowledge.