Contribution of Psychological Perspectives to the Understanding of Specific Behaviours

• Biological Perspective: This perspective views behaviours as influenced by genetic, neurological and biochemical factors. For example, individuals may be born with genetic predispositions that influence their chances of developing certain behaviours. Brain structure variations and chemical imbalances could also impact behaviour.

• Behaviourist Perspective: This perspective assumes that all behaviours are learned through interaction with the environment. Classical and operant conditioning are key theories here. Behaviours are reinforced by either positive or negative outcomes leading to an increase or decrease in certain behaviours.

• Cognitive Perspective: This perspective views behaviour as heavily influenced by thought processes. Perception, memory, problem-solving, and decision-making are key factors in understanding behaviours according to this perspective.

• Humanistic Perspective: In this view, behaviours are driven by individual’s inherent goodness and striving for self-actualization. Here self-development, personal growth and understanding of oneself are fundamental for behaviour change.

• Psychodynamic Perspective: This perspective views behaviour as influenced by unconscious thought processes that originate in early childhood. Freud’s structures of the mind (id, ego, superego) are a key feature in this perspective.

• Sociocultural Perspective: In this viewpoint, behaviours are shaped by the cultural and social environments an individual grows up and lives in. Factors such as cultural norms, social influence, and societal expectations can influence behaviours.

• Ecological Systems Perspective: This perspective emphasises the roles of different systems (micro-, meso-, exo-, macro-, and chrono-system) in shaping an individual’s behaviour. This perspective stresses the complex interplay of these different systems on human behaviour.

These different psychological perspectives contribute to our understanding of specific behaviours by facilitifying the designing of appropriate interventions and support strategies. They also aid in generating empathy by providing explanations for why individuals may act the way they do, enhancing our ability to work effectively with diverse individuals in various care settings.