need help identifying the major schools of psychology and their major underlying assumptions.

also what are the biological foundations of psychology

Check these sites for your questions.

http://www.a2zpsychology.com/articles/schools_of_psychology.htm

http://psychology.about.com/od/historyofpsychology/a/schoolsthought.htm

http://www.socyberty.com/Psychology/Foundations-of-Psychology.38173

Sure! I can help you with that.

1. Major Schools of Psychology and their Underlying Assumptions:
There are several major schools of psychology, each with their own unique perspectives and underlying assumptions. Here are some of the key schools:

- Behaviorism: Founded by B.F. Skinner and John B. Watson, behaviorism focuses on observable behavior and asserts that all human behavior can be explained by conditioning, without emphasizing internal mental processes.
- Psychoanalysis: Developed by Sigmund Freud, psychoanalysis posits that unconscious thoughts, desires, and conflicts greatly influence human behavior and mental processes.
- Cognitive Psychology: This school focuses on mental processes such as perception, memory, thinking, and problem-solving. It assumes that internal mental processes play a central role in understanding human behavior.
- Humanistic Psychology: Humanistic psychology emphasizes personal growth, autonomy, and the inherent goodness of individuals. It suggests that individuals have a desire for self-actualization and to fulfill their potential.
- Biological Psychology: Also known as biopsychology or behavioral neuroscience, this school explores the relationship between biology and behavior. It assumes that behavior and mental processes are influenced by physiological factors such as genetics, brain structures, and neurotransmitters.

These are just a few examples, and there are other schools of thought within psychology as well.

2. Biological Foundations of Psychology:
The biological foundations of psychology refer to the biological factors that underlie human behavior and mental processes. Here are a few key aspects:

- Genetics: Our genetic makeup greatly influences our behavior and mental processes. Certain traits and characteristics can be inherited from our parents, including predispositions to certain psychological disorders.
- The Brain and Nervous System: The brain plays a crucial role in controlling and coordinating our thoughts, emotions, and behavior. Different brain regions and neural pathways are responsible for various functions such as memory, language, emotion, and movement.
- Neurotransmitters: These are chemicals that transmit signals between neurons in the brain. Different neurotransmitters, such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, are associated with various aspects of mood, motivation, and cognition.
- Hormones: Hormones, such as cortisol and adrenaline, are released by the endocrine system and influence our emotions, stress responses, and other physiological processes.
- Evolutionary Psychology: This field explores how certain psychological traits and behaviors have evolved and are adaptive for survival and reproduction.

These biological foundations help us understand how our biology interacts with our experiences and environment to shape our behavior and mental processes in psychology.

To further explore these topics and gain a deeper understanding, you can refer to psychology textbooks, academic journals, and reputable online resources.