Introduction
The different methods of observation, in the field of psychology, that contribute to an individual understanding are known as levels of analysis. Any topic of consideration in psychology can be explained using three approaches: cognitive, biological, and sociocultural.
Explanation of Solution
Answer and explanation
To understand the concept of levels of analysis, one can take into consideration an example from the realm of psychology. In this, if an individual wants to obtain an understanding of depression as a disorder, through the biological level of analysis, he/she would most likely rely on the observations of physiological aspects of the brain (functioning of neurons), the role of genes, and the functioning of hormones in a patient suffering from depression. Methods that can be employed in the biological level of analysis are laboratory experiments, naturalistic observation, correlation studies, or twin studies.
In the cognitive level of analysis, a person gains an understanding of how the mental processes perform functions like thinking, perceiving, paying attention, memorizing, and acquiring languages. Considering the aforementioned example to understand the cognitive functioning of a patient with depression, their behavior can be measured in different situations by introspection of their thoughts, memories, perceptions, and other cognitive functions.
Similarly, in order to analyze a person suffering from depression through the sociocultural level of analysis, the patient's interaction with their environment and the way in which other people in their surroundings influence them (their conformity and compliance) could be recorded.
Therefore, integrating these factors is an essential aspect as it is capable of providing a complete, satisfactory, and comprehensive understanding of a phenomenon or behavior and reflects the contemporary trends in psychology.
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Chapter 2 Solutions
COGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY: CONNECTING MIND, R
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