Main Assumptions/Approaches

• Biological


  -behavior, cognitions and emotions can be explained in terms 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


  -similarities between the way people and computers process information

  -individual differences in cognitive processes such as attention, language, thinking and memory, which can help explain our differing behaviors and emotions
• Learning

  -each life begins as a blank slate observable changes to our behavior can result from interactions with our environment

  -proc of soc learning, operant conditioning ways in which humans/animals learn, involve stimulus-response experiences

  -learning may occur without new behaviors necessarily being demonstrated

  -environment influences and provides opportunities for learning
• Social


  -our behavior, cognitions, and emotions can be influenced by the actual, implied, or imagined presence of others

  -all of our behavior, cognitions, emotions, can be influenced by social contexts, social environments and groups