1. Think of a time in your life when someone you know was having difficulty. Using that example, choose the statement from the list below that seems most true. Then, for the statement you choose, write which perspective or branch from psychology (humanistic, positive, biopsychology, cognitive-behavioral, developmental, or social psychology) is most related. Then write a one-sentence statement that describes this perspective. (5 points)
They have difficulty appreciating the good things in their lives.






They have a medical condition.






They do things that hurt themselves or others.






They had a difficult early childhood.






They let other people influence them too much or too little.






Other (Write it here, then name and define the perspective that is most closely related.)






2. For each question in the list below, name the branch of psychology it most closely relates to, and explain the perspective in a sentence.
Why are some people happier than others? (2 points)






How do our brains work? (2 points)






How can we help people who are suffering from depression or other mental illnesses? (2 points)






What influence do parents have over who their children become? (2 points)






How can we combat racism and conflicts between different races and cultures? (2 points)






3. Write a question you have about human behavior that is interesting to you.
Write your question. (3 points)


Why are you interested in this question? (3 points)






Think about the definition of psychology. How is your question related to this definition — that is, what is it about your question that makes it one psychology can address? (3 points)






Which branch (or branches) within psychology are most closely related to your question? (3 points)






Do you think there can be an answer to your question, and can the science of psychology answer it? Why or why not? (3 points)