The document outlines six major perspectives in psychology and provides examples of how each perspective might explain the outrageous behavior of NBA player Dennis Rodman, known for cross-dressing, rapidly changing hair colors, and other stunts. The perspectives discussed are biological, evolutionary, humanistic, psychodynamic, behavioral, and cognitive perspectives. For each perspective, the document provides a brief example of how that perspective could interpret and explain Rodman's behavior.
One more time…Perspectivein Psychology
Perspective Location on the
Hand
Meaning
Psychoanalytic Thumb “Looking Back” study the person’s
past
Cognitive
Learning
Humanistic
Biological
Sociocultural
One more time…Perspectivein Psychology
Perspective Location on the
Hand
Meaning
Psychoanalytic Thumb “Looking Back” study the person’s
past
Cognitive Pointer finger Interested in all cognitive processes
(ex: decision-making)
Learning
Humanistic
Biological
Sociocultural
One more time…Perspectivein Psychology
Perspective Location on the
Hand
Meaning
Psychoanalytic Thumb “Looking Back” study the person’s
past
Cognitive Pointer finger Interested in all cognitive processes
(ex: decision-making)
Learning Middle Finger We learn through others and their
modeling
(punishment vs. reinforcement)
Humanistic
Biological
Sociocultural
One more time…Perspectivein Psychology
Perspective Location on the
Hand
Meaning
Psychoanalytic Thumb “Looking Back” study the person’s
past
Cognitive Pointer finger Interested in all cognitive processes
(ex: decision-making)
Learning Middle Finger We learn through others and their
modeling
(punishment vs. reinforcement)
Humanistic Ring Finger We can all reach are full potential,
but we often need help from others.
Biological
Sociocultural
One more time…Perspectivein Psychology
Perspective Location on the
Hand
Meaning
Psychoanalytic Thumb “Looking Back” study the person’s
past
Psychoanalytic Pointer finger Interested in all cognitive processes
(ex: decision-making)
Learning Middle Finger We learn through others and their
modeling
(punishment vs. reinforcement)
Humanistic Ring Finger We can all reach are full potential,
but we often need help from others.
Biological Pinky Brain our knowledge of all the
brain’s functions is small
Sociocultural
Perspectives in Psychology
PerspectiveLocation on the
Hand
Meaning
Psychoanalytic Thumb “Looking Back” study the person’s
past
Cognitive Pointer finger Interested in all cognitive processes
(ex: decision-making)
Learning Middle Finger We learn through others and their
modeling
(punishment vs. reinforcement)
Humanistic Ring Finger We can all reach our full potential,
but we often need help from others.
Biological Pinky Brain our knowledge of all the
brain’s functions is small
Sociocultural Palm of the hand Embrace differences, must look at a
patient’s culture
19.
Perspective Why Billybehaved that way
Psychoanalytic
Cognitive
Learning
Humanistic
Biological
Sociocultural
Outrageous Behavior Description:Dennis Rodman is well known for his outrageous behavior, cross-dressing,
and rapidly changing hair color. Additionally, he has some mad skills on the basketball court.
Biological: Perhaps Dennis Rodman has a high level of estrogen that makes him feel as though he should wear
women’s clothes.
Evolutionary: Dennis Rodman’s tall height and athleticism are traits that are naturally selected for; however,
his cross-dressing tendencies are counterintuitive to him passing on his own genes. His ancestors were most
likely tall and athletic as well.
Humanistic: Dennis chooses to have fun in life. He believes he has reached his fullest potential when he can
make people laugh. One way he is able to meet his need is by participating in crazy stunts. As a result, he
fulfills his intrinsic need for living a positive, fun-filled life.
Psychodynamic: Dennis was traumatized as a child when he was not permitted to have a Halloween costume.
He has repressed the memory, but as a result, dresses in outrageous clothing to try and overcompensate for his
loss as a child.
Behavioral: Dennis Rodman’s father and grandfather both were cross-dressers and frequently dyed their hair.
Dennis observed this throughout his life and is now imitating the same behavior.
Cognitive: Dennis Rodman interprets his role in the NBA as needing to create attention for his team. As a
result, he thinks that by cross-dressing, dying his hair, and tattooing his body, his team will get the positive
attention it requires.
Social-Cultural: Perhaps in the NBA culture, these behaviors occur often and are widely accepted: thus,
Dennis Rodman believes his behavior to be typical and not out of the ordinary.