Exhibit a behaviour that you do every day that you think is influenced by heredity and environment. Describe how three of the seven modern perspectives/approaches of psychology would be used to explain your behavior. Make sure that your discussion is not too personal in nature
Seven approaches are
Evolutionary
Psychodynamic (from the psychoanalytic perspective)
Sociocultural (defined as how society and culture influence behaviour
Humanistic
Behaviourism
Neuroscience/Biological (defined as how genes, the nervous system and physiological processes influence behaviour)
Cognitive
Only you can answer this question.
An everyday behavior that can be influenced by heredity and the environment is eating habits. Let's explore how three of the seven modern perspectives of psychology can help explain this behavior:
1. Evolutionary Perspective: From an evolutionary perspective, eating habits can be viewed as a result of genetic predispositions and adaptations. Our ancestors who had a preference for high-calorie foods were more likely to survive and pass on their genes. Therefore, our genetic makeup may influence our natural cravings for certain types of food, such as sugary or fatty foods that provide quick energy.
2. Sociocultural Perspective: The sociocultural perspective emphasizes how society and culture influence behavior. Eating habits can be greatly shaped by societal factors like social norms, the availability of food options, and cultural traditions. For example, different cultures have distinct dietary preferences and practices, which influence the types of food individuals consume. Social pressure, such as peer influence or media portrayals of ideal body types, also play a role in shaping eating habits.
3. Cognitive Perspective: The cognitive perspective focuses on how our thoughts and mental processes shape our behavior. Eating habits can be influenced by our thoughts and beliefs about food, body image, and health. For instance, individuals who have a negative body image might develop disordered eating habits due to their distorted thoughts and perceptions of themselves. Additionally, cognitive factors like hunger and satiety cues, self-control, and decision-making abilities can affect our food choices and portion sizes.
It is important to note that these perspectives do not act in isolation and often interact with one another to shape behavior. The evolutionary perspective provides insights into our basic biological predispositions, the sociocultural perspective considers the influence of external factors, and the cognitive perspective examines internal processes such as thoughts and beliefs. By understanding and integrating these different perspectives, psychologists can gain a more comprehensive understanding of behaviors such as eating habits.