Psychological Concepts and Theories - Essay Example

Psychological Concepts and Theories Introduction In Scientific studies, the application of the seven unifying themes helps one researcher to understand the nature of each scholar’s work. Furthermore, their application assists in comparison and contrasting the scholar’s works. Therefore, the paper presents an understanding of the psychological concepts and theories in scientific studies and applying the seven unifying themes, as applied in the works of; Sigmund Freud, Karl Jung, John Watson, Leta Stetter Hollingworth, B. F. Skinner, and Albert Bandura. Perhaps, diversity and unity is the major issue to consider when analyzing psychological concepts. The diverse nature of the researcher’s opinion was core, in comparing the outcome of their work, in terms of the usage of psychological concepts, theories and terminologies. Notably, Weiten showed the balanced the scientific approach and rigor, through integrating the seven unifying themes. Presentation Weiten outlined the seven Unifying themes in psychology, including the following (Weiten 32); 1. Psychology is empirical. 2. Psychology is theoretically diverse. 3. Psychology evolves in a socio-historical context. 4. Behavior is determined by multiple causes. 5. Behavior is shaped by cultural heritage. 6. Heredity and environment jointly influence behavior. 7. People’s experience of the world is highly subjective. Sigmund Freud Nature of the work he pursued Sigmund Freud is the father of psychodynamic theories, which lay emphasis on the forces surrounding the mental unconsciousness (Weiten 493). As a result of his intellectual work, he inspired many scholars to venture into the study of human behavior. In addition, he pursued the historical context of human behavior, where he acknowledged that psychology evolves in a socio-historical context (Weiten 32). Therefore, he justified the third unifying theme of psychology. The questions he investigated. Sigmund Freud investigated the question of irrational fears, anxieties and obsessions (Weiten 493). Later, Freud developed an innovative treatment of mental disorder, known as the psycho-analysis (Weiten 493). In fact, the analysis required verbal interactions with the patients he investigated for a long time. Subsequently, he developed the psychoanalytic theory in trying to clarify psychological disorders, motivation and personality (Weiten 494). Notably, his main focus was the influences, which many children experience at early stage of development. He also developed the defense mechanism as a psychological concept to explain the human behavior (Weiten 495). The strategies he used Mostly, he used the direct observation strategy and empirical approach in exploring human behavior (Weiten 493). Influences he encountered During his time, there were criticisms to his theories on grounds of practicality. For example, the opponents of his theory argued that it is the unconscious factors that shape the people’s behavior. In addition, such people might not be aware of those factors, therefore treating the psychological problems becomes difficult. Karl Jung Nature of the work he pursued As the other psychological scholars, Karl Jung studied the human behavior. He hypothesized that the Psychologists should contribute to the study the human behavior that is observable. During his work, Karl was among the psychologists who defined psychology “as the science of behavior” (Weiten 7). The questions he investigated The question he investigated was the theoretical diversity of human behavior and the psychological consequences of such behavior. In his findings, he noted that psychology is theoretically diverse and various groups of people respond differently to the environmental inducements (Weiten 32). Indeed, it is the response that creates the difference in behavior and serves as a justification to the second unifying theme of psychology (Weiten 14). The strategies he used He used the experimental and direct observation strategy in identifying the extent to which group behavior is applicable in psychology. Influences he encountered In his work, Kurl encountered some influences from other psychology scholars, such as, David Hubel; who agreed that studying human behavior is a complex issue (Weiten 114). Furthermore, he accepted that behavioral study should be based on observable actions, as this would give clarity of the subject. John Watson Nature of the work he pursued John Watson studied the human behavior. He postulated that the Psychologists should dedicate more time for to study the human behavior that is observable. During his work, Watson and other psychologists defined psychology “as the science of behavior” (Weiten 10). The questions he investigated During the research, he investigated the environmental influence on human behavior, where he discovered that the influences are significant in determining the behavior of a person (Weiten 10). The environmental influence justifies the sixth unifying theme that relates perceptions, feelings, actions, and behavior to the person’s environment (Weiten 15). The strategies he used In his study, Watson and other psychologist researchers used the laboratory animals including pigeons and rats as subjects (Weiten 10). Notable, the strategy is practical oriented and the outcome indicates the reality. In fact, difference organisms have various modes of responding to stimuli, and subsequently act in accordance to the signals of the stimulus. Influences he Encountered He had the influences of another behavioral psychologist called B. F. Skinner, who showed that most organisms have tendency to repeat specific responses, which result to positive results and not repeat the ones that result to negative consequences (Weiten 10). Leta Stetter Hollingworth Nature of the work he pursued In his research, Hollingworth pursued the reality surrounding human behavior. He wanted to discover the relationship between one’s culture and his/her subsequent behavior. He indicated that behavior is shaped by cultural heritage, to emphasize on the application of the fifth unifying theme of psychology (Weiten 32). The questions he investigated In his study, he investigated the correlation between one’s cultural heritage and the sequential mode of behavior. He found out that the cultural heritage of a group determines their behavior. Notably, it is through the people’s culture that they get to be identified from the rest. Without cultural practices, certain actions such as baby shower and gratifying the dead would not be performed. He asserted that a child develops the parent’s cultural traits, indicating that the behavior would be shaped by the attributes of their parents (Weiten 53). The strategies he used In his study, he employed the empirical approach to the study of human behavior. He used this strategy to shed light on the need for practicality in approaching the subject. This showed a similarity to the approach that Albert Bandura used. Notably, the approach he used involved clear observation of a person’s behavior for a considerable period of time. Influences he encountered In his study, Hollingworth encountered some influences from other psychology scholars; whose opinion was that psychology is a science that seeks to investigate all aspects of human behavior (Weiten 77). In addition, he also accepted that behavioral study should be based on observable actions. B. F. Skinner Nature of the work he pursued Skinner pursued the human behavior. He wanted to discover the relationship between one’s environment and the resultant behavior. He indicated that heredity and environment jointly influence behavior, to support the sixth unifying theme of psychology (Weiten 32). The questions he investigated The scholar explored certain environmental stimulus-response relationships, where he discovered that the hereditary behaviors differ according to one’s environment (Weiten 101). In his findings, he discovered that most of the living things have tendency to repeat specific responses, which result to positive results. Alternatively, they do not repeat the things, which result to negative consequences (Weiten 101). He argued that there is no free will, and it is merely an illusion that is far from reality. The strategies he used He used the strategy of observable behavior and showed that psychology should be studied in that matter (Weiten 32). Similar to Albert Bandura and Sigmund Freud, he also used the empirical approach in studying human behavior, because it helps in making conclusion on the logic behind a person’s actions (Weiten 35). Therefore, it justifies the first unifying theme that psychology is empirical. Influences he encountered In his research, he encountered some influences from other psychology scholars, who agreed that psychology is a science of behavior. In addition, behavioral study should be based on observable actions. Albert Bandura Nature of the work he pursued He also pursued the subject of human behavior. Notably, he founded behaviorism through studying generalization concerning stimulus and their impacts on the person’s behavior. He concluded that the people’s experience of the world is highly subjective, to support the seventh unifying theme of psychology (Weiten 32). The questions he investigated During his work, he sought to understand the nature of human behavior, the methodology of studying human behavior, its causes and results (Weiten 212). He discovered that it is through empirical observation that the human behavior is studied. Bandura and other psychological scientists did a comprehensive study to establish the influence of certain television programs on the behavior of children. In the research, they found out that aggressive programs shown on the televisions have adverse effect on the children’s behavior, because, they increase violent behavior among the children (Weiten 216). The other important finding shared with the contemporary researchers is that all correlation and experimental studies show the reality that the violent movies, videos and TV shows increases hostility among adults and children (Weiten 216). In addition, it worsens in children, who are exposed at early stage. The strategies he used Notably, Bandura used operant and classical conditioning and empirical observation in investigation the rationale of human behavior (Weiten 212). The classical conditioning indicates that behavior is determined by multiple causes, thus supporting the fourth unifying theme. Influences he encountered Albert Bandura also encountered influences of other psychological scientists, including John Garcia, Robert Rescorla, and B. F. Skinner. Conclusion In summary, all the psychology scholars discussed in this paper focused on the human behavior as the nature of the work they pursued. This was a similarity across them. Seemingly, they tend to agree that psychology is the science of behavior that should be studied using observation and empirical methods. Despite the similarities, the scholars employed various strategies of study and the question(s) investigated differed among the scientists. Finally, they encountered various influences from different psychological scholars Works Cited Weiten, Wayne. Psychology: Themes and Variations, (8th Ed.). Belmont: Wadsworth Publishing, 2009. Print. Read More