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.
"Dangerous Behaviour" shows a stunt gone wrong.
"Cops and Robbers" shows a real life arrest
"Catwalk fall" shows the reactions of a model falling during a fashion show.
"Just a snack" shows the enjoyment of someone eating most of us would not regard as food.