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Which psychological approach stressed that behavior is influenced by unlearned biological instincts?

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Final answer:

Behaviorism is a psychological approach that emphasizes the influence of unlearned biological instincts on behavior.

Step-by-step explanation:

Behaviorism, a psychological approach, stressed that behavior is influenced by unlearned biological instincts. Behaviorists focused on studying overt behavior and disregarded the importance of unobservable mental processes. Ivan Pavlov, John B. Watson, and B.F. Skinner are notable behaviorists who contributed to our understanding of behavior influenced by biological instincts.

User Mousie
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Final Answer:

The psychological approach that emphasized behavior influenced by unlearned biological instincts is known as the "psychoanalytic perspective," notably proposed by Sigmund Freud.

Step-by-step explanation:

The psychoanalytic perspective, pioneered by Sigmund Freud, centers on the belief that human behavior is significantly influenced by unconscious drives and instincts, particularly biological ones.

Freud's theory suggested that individuals possess innate instincts and drives, such as the libido (sexual energy) and aggressive tendencies, which significantly shape behavior and personality. These instincts, according to Freud, operate on an unconscious level, often conflicting with societal norms and conscious desires.

Freud proposed that three parts of the mind—the id, ego, and superego—interact to influence behavior. The id represents primal instincts and operates on pleasure principles, seeking immediate gratification.

The ego mediates between the id's desires and the external world, employing defense mechanisms to manage conflicts. Lastly, the superego incorporates societal norms and moral values, creating internalized standards that guide behavior.

Freud's psychoanalytic theory suggests that early childhood experiences, particularly related to the resolution of conflicts between these instinctual drives and societal demands, significantly shape an individual's personality and behavior patterns.

This approach highlighted the importance of unconscious processes and biological instincts in understanding human behavior, challenging the predominant belief at that time that behavior was solely a product of learning and environmental influences.

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