Jake's Anxiety Disorder

The four common goals of psychologists are to describe, explain, predict, and control what happens. Although all psychologists share this purpose, the way different psychologists approach problems vary greatly. There are several different theoretical approaches to psychology. These approaches, referred to as the frameworks of psychology, have evolved psychology into the science it is today. A few examples of psychological approaches include behaviorism, cognitivism, and structuralism. How do different approaches to psychology differ a patient’s treatment? To answer this question, let’s take a look at our example Jake, who has just been diagnosed with anxiety disorder.

The behavioral approach to Jake’s anxiety disorder would deal with Jake’s observable behavior. A behaviorist would notice cues such as Jake’s shortness of breath, sleep deprivation, and chewed fingernails to diagnose Jake with anxiety. Behaviorists would claim that Jake’s

anxiety is formed through Jake’s interaction with his environment. To treat Jake, a behaviorist would first try to conclude what causes Jake’s anxiety. For example, a behaviorist would notice that whenever Jake has a big test coming up, Jake begins displaying the observable anxiety symptoms. Then, a behaviorist would aid Jake in overcoming his anxiety. If Jake no longer displayed the symptoms of anxiety after treatment, a behaviorist would conclude that Jake no longer had anxiety due to his lack of observable behavior. While psychologists nowadays still take observable behavior into consideration, most psychologists would agree that our thoughts and mental processes actually do play a role in why we act the way we do.
The cognitive approach to Jake’s anxiety disorder, unlike the behavioral approach, would focus on Jake’s mental processes.

Cognitive psychology is based upon the concept of how we think. While some behaviorists have acknowledged thinking, they view thinking as a form of behavior. Supporters of the cognitive approach would argue the opposite and claim that thinking controls our behavior. In Jake’s scenario, a cognitive approach to an anxiety disorder would rely heavily on the mental processes involved in Jake’s thinking. Supporters of cognitive psychology would claim that Jake’s anxiety is formed through things such as his learning and memory. Perhaps Jake has anxiety because he knows he isn’t prepared for his exams. Cognitive psychologists may try to target Jake’s thoughts and alter them to treat his anxiety. Nowadays, cognitive psychology is thriving. A new field of cognitive psychology has recently been developed called cognitive neuroscience. Psychologists today would still rely heavily on cognitive psychology to treat

anxiety.
The structuralist approach to Jake’s anxiety disorder would focus on the basic psychological elements. Introspection, or self-examining, plays a major role in structuralism. For example, a structuralist would ask Jake to carefully examine his own thoughts and determine how he got from point A to point B. Stucturalism is similar to cognitivism is the sense that thinking plays a key element in both. Structuralism, however, is based upon the ‘what’ questions of psychology. What is causing Jake’s anxiety? What is Jake thinking about when he experiences anxiety? In modern day, structuralism no longer exists, so psychologists would no longer review the structualist approach as valid. However, structuralism left behind the importance of systematic observation that all scientists still utilize to this day.
In conclusion, psychology and the approaches to uncovering the mind, brain, and behavior have significantly changed over time to make psychology the science that it is today. While behaviorists, cognitivists, and structuralists might not have all agreed on why organisms act the way that they do, it’s safe to say that all approaches significantly aided the growth of psychology.