The cognitive revolution challenged behaviorism by emphasizing the importance of mental processes in understanding behavior. It argued that behavior cannot be fully explained by external stimuli and responses, but rather by internal cognitive processes, such as perception, memory, and problem-solving. This shift in focus led to the development of cognitive psychology as a separate discipline.

According to B.F. Skinner, operant conditioning shapes behavior through the use of reinforcement and punishment. Reinforcement refers to the process of increasing the likelihood of a behavior occurring again, while punishment decreases the probability of a behavior. Skinner proposed that reinforcement schedules, such as continuous or intermittent schedules, further influence the strength and persistence of the learned behavior.

The sociocultural approach in psychology examines how social, cultural, and historical factors influence our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It recognizes that individuals are shaped by the norms, values, and practices of their sociocultural context and emphasizes the role of language, customs, and social interactions in shaping human development and psychological processes.

According to the sociocultural approach, cultural context influences behavior through the process of socialization. Individuals learn cultural norms, values, and behaviors through interactions with family, peers, and society at large. Cultural context also impacts how individuals perceive and interpret the world, influencing their attitudes, beliefs, and decision-making processes.

Psychoanalytic theory proposed by Sigmund Freud suggests that human behavior is driven by unconscious processes, particularly the interplay between three components of the mind: the id, ego, and superego. The id represents primitive, instinctual drives, seeking immediate gratification. The ego mediates between the id and reality, while the superego internalizes societal norms and moral values. Freud also emphasized the role of childhood experiences and the unconscious conflicts in shaping personality.

According to psychoanalytic theory, the unconscious mind influences behavior through unconscious desires, fears, and conflicts. Freud believed that many psychological processes occur below the level of conscious awareness, and these hidden influences can manifest in various ways, such as slips of the tongue (Freudian slips), dreams, and unintentional behaviors. Exploring and resolving unconscious conflicts is a central focus of psychoanalytic therapy.

The humanistic approach in psychology emphasizes the importance of individual subjective experiences, personal growth, and self-actualization. It focuses on understanding human behavior and motivation through the lens of conscious awareness, free will, and the pursuit of personal goals. Humanistic psychologists argue that individuals have an innate drive towards fulfilling their potential and emphasize the importance of self-esteem, personal values, and the role of interpersonal relationships.

According to humanistic psychology, self-actualization impacts personal growth by motivating individuals to strive for personal fulfillment, meaning, and authenticity. When individuals are self-actualizing, they engage in activities that align with their values and interests, experience a sense of flow and personal satisfaction, and develop a positive self-concept. Self-actualization is seen as an ongoing process influenced by both internal factors and external circumstances.

The evolutionary approach in psychology explores how evolutionary principles and natural selection have shaped human behavior and cognition. It posits that behaviors and psychological processes have evolved over time as adaptive solutions to recurring challenges in the environment, enhancing an individual's chances of survival and reproductive success. This approach examines various domains, including mate selection, parental investment, aggression, and cooperation.

According to the evolutionary approach, natural selection influences behavior by favoring traits and behaviors that increase an individual's reproductive success. Behaviors that enhance survival, reproductive opportunities, and the passing on of genes are more likely to be inherited by future generations. For example, behaviors related to mate selection, parental care, and social cooperation have evolved as strategies to maximize reproductive fitness.

The Gestalt psychology approach emphasizes the holistic perception and organization of stimuli, focusing on the idea that the whole is different from the sum of its parts. It rejects the reductionist approach of breaking down experiences into isolated elements and instead examines how individuals perceive meaningful patterns, structures, and forms. Gestalt psychologists also emphasize the role of perception in problem-solving and understanding human thinking processes.

According to Gestalt psychology, perception influences problem-solving by allowing individuals to organize information and identify meaningful patterns. When faced with a problem, individuals often rely on their perceptual abilities to restructure the problem and gain new insights or solutions. Gestalt psychologists propose that problem-solving involves the restructuring of mental representations and the insight gained from perceiving meaningful relationships among elements.

The social cognitive approach in psychology emphasizes the reciprocal interaction between individuals and their social environment in shaping behavior and cognition. It integrates cognitive processes, such as attention, memory, and thinking, with social factors to understand how people learn from observation, develop self-efficacy beliefs, and regulate their behavior. This approach also highlights the role of personal agency and the influence of social modeling on behavior.

According to social cognitive theory, observational learning influences behavior as individuals acquire new behaviors or modify existing ones by observing others. Through the process of attention, retention, reproduction, and motivation, individuals learn from models they perceive as similar, competent, and rewarded. Observational learning also involves vicarious reinforcement, where individuals learn from the consequences (rewards or punishments) experienced by the observed model.

The biological approach in psychology examines the influence of biological factors, such as genetics, neurochemistry, and brain structure, on behavior and mental processes. It emphasizes the interplay between the nervous system, hormones, and genetic inheritance to understand how biological processes shape psychological functioning. This approach also examines the role of evolutionary pressures in shaping behavior and the influence of psychopharmacology on mental health.

According to the biological approach, genetics influence behavior through the inheritance of genes that contribute to biological traits and predispositions. Genes provide the blueprint for the development of the nervous system, including the brain, and influence the production and functioning of neurotransmitters and hormones. Genetic variations can influence traits related to temperament, personality, intelligence, and vulnerability to mental disorders, though their expression is also influenced by environmental factors.

The sociocognitive approach in psychology focuses on how cognitive processes and social factors interact to shape behavior and development. It emphasizes the reciprocal influences between individuals and their social context, examining how individuals construct knowledge, develop beliefs, and regulate their behavior based on cognitive and social processes. This approach also highlights the importance of cultural context and socialization in shaping cognitive development.

According to the sociocognitive approach, self-efficacy influences behavior by impacting an individual's beliefs about their capability to succeed in specific situations. Individuals with higher self-efficacy are more likely to engage in tasks, set challenging goals, and persist in the face of obstacles. Self-efficacy beliefs are shaped by personal experiences, social persuasion, and mastery through practice. They affect motivation, performance, and the choices individuals make in pursuing their goals.

Structuralism was a psychological theory developed by Wilhelm Wundt. It focused on analyzing the content of conscious experiences into basic elements or structures. According to this theory, the mind could be studied by breaking down experiences into their sensory components, such as sights, sounds, and feelings. However, structuralism fell out of favor as it faced criticism for its limited scope and inability to study more complex mental processes.

Functionalism was a psychological theory developed by William James. It focused on the functions and purposes of the mind and behavior, emphasizing the adaptive nature of human thoughts and actions. Functionalists believed that the mind should be studied in terms of its interactions with the environment and its ability to adapt to different situations. While functionalism held a broader scope than structuralism, it also faced criticism for its reliance on subjective and introspective methods.