Main Approaches

• Biological Approach


  • Behavior, cognitions and emotions can be explained in terms of the working of the brain and the effect of hormones, genetics and evolution
  • Similarities and differences between people can be understood in terms of biological factors and their interaction with other factors
• Cognitive Approach


  • Information is processed through the same route in all humans: input - process - output, in a similar way to how information is processed by a computer
  • People have individual differences in their cognitive processing such as with attention, language, thinking, and memory. These processes can also help to explain behaviour and emotion
• Learning Approach


  • We all begin life as a blank slate. experiences and interactions with the environment shape our behavior and these changes are directly observable
  • We learn through the processes of operant conditioning, classical conditioning and social learning. This can be understood using the stimulus-response model
• Social Approach


  • Behavior, cognitions and emotions are influenced by social contexts, social environments and groups.
  • Behavior, cognitions and emotions are influenced by the actual, implied or imagined presence of others.