Four Levels of Explanation

To understand more fully why people, behave, think, and feel as they do, psychologists study our biological makeup and mental processes, learning experiences, cultural influences arid other environmental factors.

The 4 levels of explanation

Any human behaviour can be discussed at 4 levels of explanation:

1. Biological level (Physical, chemical and biological processes)

2. Basic processes level explanations (psychological processes that are widespread across humans)

3. Person level explanations (individual differences in behaviour)

4. Socio-cultural level explanations (influence other people exert on behaviour; behaviour in social and cultural contexts)

TEACHING RESOURCES

Videos can be useful for analysis of behaviour using the four levels of explanation, there are four clips dealing with various behaviours.