Contemporary perspectives in psychology refer to the various theoretical frameworks and approaches that psychologists use to understand and explain human behavior and mental processes. These perspectives have evolved over time and continue to shape the field of psychology today. Some of the major contemporary perspectives in psychology include:

1. Biological Perspective: This perspective focuses on the biological and physiological factors that influence behavior and mental processes. It examines how genetics, brain structure and function, and hormones impact human behavior.

2. Cognitive Perspective: The cognitive perspective emphasizes the role of mental processes, such as perception, memory, thinking, and problem-solving, in shaping behavior. It explores how individuals process information, make decisions, and solve problems.

3. Behavioral Perspective: The behavioral perspective emphasizes the role of observable behavior and the environmental factors that influence it. It focuses on how individuals learn through conditioning and reinforcement and how their behavior is shaped by their environment.

4. Psychodynamic Perspective: The psychodynamic perspective, influenced by Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalytic theory, emphasizes the role of unconscious processes and early childhood experiences in shaping behavior. It explores how unconscious conflicts and desires influence behavior and mental processes.

5. Humanistic Perspective: The humanistic perspective emphasizes the importance of personal growth, self-actualization, and subjective experiences in understanding behavior. It focuses on individuals’ unique qualities and their capacity for personal growth and self-determination.

6. Socio-cultural Perspective: The socio-cultural perspective examines how social and cultural factors influence behavior and mental processes. It explores how individuals’ behavior is shaped by their cultural norms, values, and social interactions.

7. Evolutionary Perspective: The evolutionary perspective focuses on how behavior and mental processes have evolved over time through the process of natural selection. It explores how certain behaviors and cognitive processes have adaptive value and have been selected for in the course of human evolution.

These contemporary perspectives in psychology provide different lenses through which psychologists can understand and explain human behavior and mental processes. They are often used in combination to provide a more comprehensive understanding of complex psychological phenomena.