Psychological Approaches and the Biological Approach - Essay Example

?Psychological Approaches – A Critical Evaluation Introduction Psychological studies related to the behavior and life styles of people have been of great concern for the modern scientific world. There are many approaches and theories for evaluating the aspects in connection with clinical treatment of psychosomatic issues; however, the foremost of all them are the biological approach and the humanistic approach which have great significance in better analysing the problems of mental and emotional involvement of individuals in their normal life situations. Many scientists and scholars have done great volume of studies to prove that psychology is a more than a disorder of the mind; and more importantly, it is a total of responses to the requirement of changes forced by biological and social reasons that form part of individual development. This paper is aimed at comparing and contrasting the two aforesaid psychological approaches with their influence on the development of modern scientific thoughts. The Biological Approach Biological approaches to psychology mainly focus on the basic features of human kind as a unit of mechanisms to cope up with requirements of survival such as evolution, adaptation, hereditary, instincts and grouping nature. These aspects are continuously analysed in labs to maintain the accuracy of reliability of the research information based on this approach. Under this, psychology is treated as a scientific term and given absolute attention to testify the assumptions related to the biologic perspectives. Biological features of human behavior are mostly significant with the ability achieved for adapting to changing environments. Some of the studies correlate the two terms psychology and biology with human characteristics like building relationships and managing stress, and their respective processes are related to genes and hormones (McLeod, 2007). Detailed studies of the human nervous system also flashes light on the prominence of the cerebral functions as a responsible factor for the deviations in behavioral patterns of human beings. Many scientists believe that the thoughts, speeches and actions of human beings are the resultant factors of electrochemical changes in the central nervous system. It is scientifically proven that there are electric pulses that regulate the function of the brain and the sudden variations in electrical states of the neurons stimulate the functional reactions and reflect in changing behavioral patterns. When this aspect is studies in detailed, it can be seen that the biological development of human as well as animals takes place with the fertilisation itself. Experts opine that, although the character of the offspring is expected to be partially or completely identical to either of its parents, mutation occurs during the cell division process may transform its behavior completely different from its parents. Moreover, the developmental stages of human being teach him to follow his parents and easily adapt to the environment, mostly owing to the genetic specialties. As a contrast to these assumptions, many people are still suspicious about the settlement of one’s mind in the brain. For this, the finest answer would be, “the mind is usually regarded as the seat of consciousness or awareness, not as a physiological structure” (Glassman, 1979, p.60). The Humanistic Approach The humanistic approach to psychology is a method of clinical application of social and individual expectations of a person’s behavioral traits with due consideration for his choices. While the biological approach deals with the scientific model of human existence and related behavioral changes, the humanistic approach focuses on the situational reactions of individuals to form the required mode of reactions. According to an observation (Cherry, n.d.), the humanistic approach relates to the aspects of self-actualisation, creativity and individuality as its basic concepts. This approach largely focuses on the human tendencies to guide oneself to the achievement of fulfillment of dreams and desires to continue a content life. Certain studies establish the fact that humanistic views of psychology believe and encourage the people’s creativity and potential to attain the merits of their dreams by recognising their esteem needs for their personal development (Sammons, n.d.). Some of the scholars like Rowan (2005) are on the belief that human psychology is a combination of five elements related to his body, feelings, intellect, soul and spirit and the continuous strive for exhibiting his potential. Human being, under this concept, is expected to work hard on the targeted actions in different fields of his excellence and prove that he is capable of meeting the targets he sets for himself. Both biological and humanistic approaches to psychology have some commonalities in their disposal. Both of them require the individual’s identification of the treatment style with the consultation of an expert therapist. Biological therapists consider biological specifications and the study related to the developmental stages as the platform for the formation of one’s personality development; however, humanistic therapists analyses the behaviour and actions of individuals for evaluating their personality (Vijgil, 2002). Unlike psychoanalytical approach, these approaches are applicable only for healthy people; also, both these approaches do not impose strictness on the accuracy of information. The most basic contrast between both of them are the perspective appreciations of the reasons for the diversion of behavior and actions – while humanistic approach suggests that the individual’s conscious actions are responsible for his personality, biological approach blames the genetics for such behavioral deviations. In a detailed way Burger (2010, p. 5) points out that biological approach relates genetic factors and physiological changes to the differences in individual psychology; whereas, in the humanistic views, responsibility of the individual as well as his personal choices and self acceptance are the reasons for the distinctions in personality and behavioral traits of individuals. Although these two approaches have their limitations associated with the sample selection for studies, the application of theories derived from studies are usually found clinically acceptable as they work better with majority of individuals. Conclusion Psychology is greater a topic than theories and assumptions can frame conclusions about; however, the clinical therapy of individual differences in personality is required for directing a person to the expected normalcy of disposition at his workplace and personal surroundings. Although genetic features and biochemical changes in the human body contribute greatly to the character formation and personality development, the importance of self identification and personal choices play their critical role behind the distinctions in personalities. Therefore, it is difficult to find the edge of either approach over the other in consideration with their effectiveness in the clinical therapy. References Burger, J.M. 2010. Personality. US: Cengage Learning. Cherry, K. n.d. Humanistic Psychology: The "Third Force" In Psychology [online] Available at: [Accessed 27 April 2012]. Glassman, W.E. 1979. “The biological approach”. In Medcof, J & Roth, J. (Eds.) Approaches to Psychology. Routledge. McLeod, S. 2007. Biological Psychology. Simply Psychology [online] Available at: [Accessed 27 April 2012]. Rowan, J. 2005. A guide to humanistic psychology [online] Available at: [Accessed 27 April 2012]. Sammons, A. n.d. Approaches to Psychology. Humanistic Psychology [online] Available at: [Accessed 27 April 2012]. Vigil, J. Biological Vs Humanistic. [online] Available at: [Accessed 27 April 2012]. Read More