Contemporary Theories

Question 1

The 4 main contemporary perspectives

Answer 1

• biological
• behavioural
• cognitive
• socio-cultural

Question 2

Biological perspective

Answer 2

Focuses on the biological (physiological) influences on behaviour and mental processes. Includes the brain, immune system, endocrine system

Question 3

Behavioural perspective

Answer 3

Focuses on understanding and explaining how behaviour is learned and moulded by experience

Question 4

Cognitive perspective

Answer 4

Focuses on how we acquire, process, remember and use information about ourselves and the world around us

Question 5

Socio-cultural perspective

Answer 5

Focuses on the roles of social and cultural influences on human behaviour and mental processes

Question 6

Biopsychosocial framework

Answer 6

An approach to describing and explaining how biological, psychological and socio-cultural factors combine and interact to influence physical and mental health

Question 8

Pseudoscience

Answer 8

Fake or false science