Analysis of Fort Studies that Changed Psychology Written by Roger R Hock - Book Report/Review Example

The chapter on ‘Emotion and Motivation’ from the book ‘Fort studies that changed Psychology’ written by Roger R Hock, takes into account four different studies which pertain to the human inner experiences of emotion and motivation. The role of emotion and motivation in influencing human character has been asserted by the author. In this context the research relating to the factors influencing emotion and motivation is important in having detailed understanding on these aspects. Such research findings can contribute much towards the field of human psychology and can help in the formulation of psychological tools to tackle human issues. The book as such is a benchmark reference for any further research in Psychology as it has covered the vital researches which had set milestones in psychological research. Emotion and motivation being important in varied levels for every human becomes an important segment of research as covered by the author. The relevance of motivation and emotion is much in the busy competitive world of today. The possibilities arousing motivation and emotion and the ways in which these affect human psychology and thus the success in life are very much relevant in the modern day scenarios. Thus the content of the chapter of is of high importance as research reference in psychological studies and applications. The chapter on emotion and motivation basically contains the summary and review of four researches. The first one is the research done by Masters and Johnson on human sexual response. The second research includes an extensive study on the characteristics of facial expressions and emotions. A research pertaining to the relationship between extreme emotions and physical health also has been included in the chapter. The fourth research which finds place in the chapter is the demonstration of cognitive dissonance, one of the most well recognized experiments in the area of motivation. In the first instance it may appear surprising that Masters and Johnson research on human sexual response has been included in the chapter dealing with emotions and motivation. However, while taking into consideration the fact that the human sexual feelings and behaviors are much associated with emotions and also the fact that human sexual feelings and behaviors are driving forces in motivation, the inclusion of the research in the chapter on emotions and motivation becomes relevant. The highlight of the research is that its finding could mitigate the myths and misassumptions which prevailed regarding human sexual feelings and behaviors. This research can be regarded as pioneer study which had a scientific approach on the analysis of the physiology of human sexual response. Moreover, the authors are of the point that in order to treat and rectify sexual disorders and psychological issues regarding sex, a proper understanding on the sexual functioning. The researches till then had depended on the assumptions made by Kinsley Report based on the survey on thousands of men and women. The author of the article argues that this survey was exclusively based on the perceptions of the people whom were interviewed and thus did not have a scientific approach. The author justifies this point on the fact that as the intervention was not blinded, the participants would have answered in a socially acceptable way. This lacuna of this research has been pointed out as the justification on the need of the discussed research. The wide acknowledgement of human as sexual beings especially in the America created a positive background for the study. Moreover the lack of scientific reference for common people on sexual behaviors and aspects to an extent demanded such a kind of research. The objective of the study addressed a clearly focused issue. The study intended to find out what physical reactions happen when a male and a female respond positively to sexual stimulation. The experiment also evaluated the behavioral response of both men and women while responding to effective sexual stimulation. The assumption made by the study was that only if these objectives are met then only would medical and behavioral professions will be able to develop strategies in treating sexual inadequacy. Another assumption made by the study was that the only scientifically possible methodologies of achieving the objectives were direct systematic observation and physiological measurement of each stage of sexual responding. The factor lacking in the article is the mention of literature review. Very less number of cross references has been included in the write up. However, this can be justified with the point that few researchers have done prior research on this subject. This point has been mentioned in the article as well. Moreover, the author has compared and contrasted the observations made by Masters and Johnson with a number of other works in the area. The author has very well explained the impediments faced in the methodology of research. The point of interest in the write up is that the author has effectively explained the scenario with reference to the social aspects which pertained during the original period of research. This gives the reader a better picture on the justification over the methodological approach followed by the researchers. The sample involved in the study is very much a representative sample of the population. This is confirmed as the author have explained that the researchers tried a different spectrum of sample with reference to the sociological aspect and later on the recognition of its inappropriateness arrived at the actual sample involved. The research in the beginning considered prostitutes for the experiment assuming that other won’t be ready to participate in the experiment due to sociological and moral reasons. In totality, the researchers finally came up with an ideal population size and sample. However, the initial trials with the prostitutes served as an indicator towards the development of the methods of research. As the participants were trained and oriented on the objectives of the experiment, the approach was made more precise. The major result of the study indicated that was the identification of four major cycles of sexual response which included; excitement, plateau, orgasm and resolution. The physiological behaviors in each of the cycle has been identified and explained in detail. The author has explained this finding as a benchmark in all the researches on human sex response which followed. The specific findings made by the study have been reviewed by the author to have mitigated the myths and misunderstandings which prevailed with regard to sexual pleasure and behaviors. The finest element in the experimental results as suggested by the author is that it could provide scientific reference on the sexual behaviors and characters. Thus it has served towards the scientific education of the society and the mitigation of serious misunderstandings which prevailed. The author has made substantial efforts to prove Masters and Johns’ research on Sexual motivation is relevant in the context of psychological research. The author has provided cross reference with articles of similar context which supports the findings of Masters and Johns to be of psychological relevance. The application of the results in further researches has been included as a separate section. The contradictory findings and the criticisms associated with the research also has been mentioned by the author. In my opinion the research findings of Masters and Johns as explained by Roger R Hock has both direct and indirect implications in psychological research. The study has really opened door into the possibilities of further research in association with sexual behaviors and their linkage with emotions and motivation. Thus the study very well goes with the title and the context of the book which deals with the studies that had been crucial in the history of psychology. The ethical part of the study is also justified as it can serve as a foundation for further research in the area and the betterment of human life. The research being a real milestone in the history of psychology has been very well dealt by Roger R Hock and has successfully explained the relevance of the same even in contemporary psychology research. Woks cited Hock, Roger R, ‘Emotion & Motivation’, Forty Studiers That Changed Psychology: Explorations into the history of Psychological Research, 5th ed, Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall (………..) Read More