Question

"It is behavior that can be observed that should be studied, not the suspected inner workings of the mind." This statement was most likely made by someone with which perspective? a. Cognitive perspective b. Neuroscience perspective c. Humanistic perspective d. Behavioral perspective

Short answer

The statement was most likely made by someone with a Behavioral perspective.

Step-by-step solution

Understand each perspective

Each of the given psychological perspectives focus on different aspects. The cognitive perspective focuses on mental processes like memory and problem-solving. The neuroscience perspective examines how the body and brain create emotions, memories and sensory experiences. The humanistic perspective emphasizes the human capacity for self-fulfillment and the importance of consciousness, self-awareness and the capacity to make choices. The behavioral perspective, however, focuses on observable behaviors and how the environment can influence those behaviors. It intentionally ignores the inner workings of the mind.

Match given statement to a perspective

The statement in the exercise mentions that behavior that can be observed should be studied, rather than the inner workings of the mind. This description matches the fundamentals of the behavioral perspective, which also concentrates on observable behavior and the influence of the environment, while not focusing on the inner workings of the mind.

Key concepts

Cognitive Perspective

The cognitive perspective in psychology emphasizes the importance of mental processes like thought, perception, and information processing. It suggests that understanding how people think and process information is key to understanding their behavior.

From a cognitive viewpoint, the way in which an individual understands a situation plays a pivotal role in how they act. Suppose a student believes that studying hard will lead to success; this belief influences their behavior, and they're likely to put in more effort. Cognitive psychologists study internal processes such as problem-solving, memory, language, and decision making.

Applied to educational settings, cognitive strategies can be used to develop methods that enhance learning and retention, based on the understanding of how brains function during different learning activities.

Neuroscience Perspective

The neuroscience perspective takes a scientific approach to understanding behavior by focusing on the brain's role in psychological processes. It examines how neurons, the nervous system, and the brain's structure are connected to behaviors and mental processes.

For instance, when studying the origins of anxiety, a neuroscientist might look at brain scans to identify patterns of activity that correlate with anxious feelings. This perspective is valuable in developing treatments for mental illnesses by targeting specific areas of the brain or neurotransmitter systems.

Recent advancements in neuroimaging and other brain research technologies have dramatically expanded our knowledge in this field, making it a fundamental perspective for understanding the physiological underpinnings of psychological phenomena.

Humanistic Perspective

The humanistic perspective focuses on the potential for self-fulfillment and the importance of self-awareness, free will, and personal growth. It is grounded in the conviction that individuals have an intrinsic capacity for self-improvement and a natural tendency towards achieving their full potential.

Humanistic psychologists, such as Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow, believe that an individual's unique perception of the world is more important than objective reality. They emphasize empathy and the importance of looking at the world from the individual's point of view, also known as phenomenology.

Humanistic therapy often involves helping individuals recognize their strengths, creativity, and choice in the 'here and now,' encouraging them to look at problems as opportunities for personal growth.

Observable Behaviors

In psychology, the term 'observable behaviors' refers to actions and responses that can be seen and measured. The behavioral perspective, strongly associated with psychologists like B.F. Skinner and John B. Watson, suggests that only these observable behaviors should be the focus of study.

This perspective takes a more empirical and often experimental approach to understanding human and animal behavior. It is characterized by methods such as operant conditioning, where an association is made between a behavior and a consequence. For example, a teacher using a token system to reward students for good behavior is utilizing principles from behavioral psychology.

This approach has practical applications across many settings, including schools, businesses, and therapy. By altering environmental cues and consequences, desirable behaviors can be encouraged and reinforced.