Personal Observation Of Human Behavior Essay

1) Why are people’s personal observations of human behavior often unreliable? What is the general purpose of psychology and how is the scientific method used to study observations of human behavior?

Personal observations of human behavior are often unreliable because their interpretations are not conducted in an objective, unbiased manner. The observations will often be subjective, and may reflect that person’s feelings or perspectives. When a personal observation is made of human behavior, prior life experiences, personal feelings and perceptions render the results unreliable, because they cannot be viewed or interpreted by anyone else. The general purpose of psychology is to describe, explain, predict and control or influence behavior and mental processes. Psychologists use these goals to observe and research, along with the use of the scientific method. The scientific method is a way of conducting research, and is used to guide scientists by demanding that the evidence is always valid and verifiable, and not subjective. The scientific method serves as a guideline for researchers and assists in lessening the possibility of unreliable results or errors in their conclusions.

2) Select (3) three of the major psychological theorists and their theories. Explain how each is

used in modern psychology. Discuss any posed criticisms of each of the theories. This answer may require additional internet research so please state your sources.

Sigmund Freud
Sigmund Freud was the developer of the psychoanalysis theory. This theory focused on behavior being controlled by unconscious desires. “The goal of psychoanalysis is to make the unconscious mind conscious.” (McLeod , S.A. 2013). There have been many different criticisms regarding psychoanalysis. “Two common criticisms espoused by lay people and professionals alike, are that the theory is too simple to ever explain something as complex as a human mind, and that Freud over emphasized sex.” (Plaut) The criticisms surrounding the priniciples of psychoanalysis, also emphasized that there were not enough rules or regulations, therefore, it lacked sufficient accuracy.

Sources:
McLeod S.A. (2013) Retrieved from www.simplypsychology.org/sigmund-freud.html
Ethan R. Plaut – Retrieved from http://personalityresearch.org/papers/plaut/html

Edward B. Titchener
Edward B.

Titchener was a student of the German psychologist Willhelm Wundt. He developed the first major school of thought, which was called Structuralism. Structuralism focused on the idea of breaking down our conscious experiences into elements. These elements were identified by experiments and procedures called introspection. Unfortunately, when Titchener died in 1927, Structuralism ended. It was criticized for being unreliable due to “too much individual variation in the experiences and reports of research subjects.” (McLeod, S.A. 2011). Structuralism as a school of thought was also not widely accepted because Titchener was not concerned with the areas of animal and child

psychology.

Sources:
McLeod, S.A. (2011) What is Psychology? Retrieved from www.simplypsychology.org/whatispsychology.html

William James
William James has been said to be the most influential individual in the establishment of psychology in the United States. James developed the school of thought called functionalism, which believed that consciousness had a function, and that it was constantly interacting with the environment. Functionalism drew criticism from structuralists, because its beliefs contradicted with theirs, and they believed that functionalism was in fact, not psychology.

3) Cyber-bullying has become an increasingly serious social issue. Develop ten questions (open ended-not yes/no) that a psychologist might ask an (1) initiator and the (2) victim. In other words, develop (10) questions for each of the two individuals.

Initiator questions
1) Tell me why/how you targeted or chose this victim, and what type of relationship did you have with this person, prior to the incident.

2) Tell me more about the motives behind your actions surrounding the cyberbullying incident.

3) Explain the role of any others who also participated in this cyberbullying attack with you.

4) Give me insight as to what you expected the outcome to be, as a result of your cyberbullying attack.

5) Tell me about the kind of role your parents played in monitoring your activity on electronic devices and social media.
6) Explain the role that Facebook/Instagram/Twitter or other social media platforms played in providing an easy avenue to attack someone via cyberbullying?

7) Studies have shown that there can be a link between cyberbullies and a lack of empathy. Explain why or why not do you feel that the victims feelings are justified.

8) What kind of consequences or punishment do you feel is appropriate to face as a result of being a a cyberbullying initiator?

9) What kind of defense mechanisms did the victim use (if any) and why (or why not) were/weren’t effective in getting you to stop the cyberbullying attack?

10) What type of intervention needs to be made at schools to bring more awareness to the seriousness of cyberbullying and possible legal repercussions that can follow.

Victim questions

1) What kind of emotional support do you have following this cyberbullying incident?

2) What kind of relationship or prior experience did you have with the initiator?

3) What kind (if any) measures did you take to report and stop the cyberbullying?

4) Tell me more about any other individuals that were involved in this incident.

5) How did the cyberbullying incident/experience spill over into your life at school/home?

6) Tell me about the measures that your friends or family took to ensure your wellbeing following the cyberbullying incident.

7) Tell me about any feelings of self blame or changes you experienced in your view of your self worth.

8) What kind of reaction did you receive upon coming forward and telling a parent/teacher/friend of the cyberbullying and did they take the situation seriously?

9) What types of lasting emotional damage can be left upon a victim of cyberbullying?

10) What advice do you have for others who are being cyberbullied, who may not have the courage to speak up?

5) Select four specialty areas in Psychology. Discuss examples of how they are utilized in our world today.

Clinical Psychology
Clinical Psychology studies the causes, diagnoses, treatments and prevention of different types of behavioral and emotional disorders. Clinical Psychologists use a wide variety of therapy methods, such as Psychoanalysis to help patients deal with mental issues such as fear, stress, and anxiety. Clinical Psychology is vital to the health and research of the United States because it helps people to understand and overcome mental illnesses, and well addictions.

Forensic Psychology
Forensic Psychology applies science and psychology to the criminal justice system. Forensic Psychologists play a major role in many areas such as examining and questioning mental state for criminal trials, family custody and legal issues, and jury selections. Forensic Psychologists can be found in many different areas such as police departments, court rooms, and prisons.

Rehabilitational Psyschology
Rehabilitational Psychology focuses on helping to improve quality of life for people who have disabilities and chronic health issues. Rehabilitational Psychologists may also treat issues such as anxiety, depression and addiction. One function of rehabilitational psychology is to support patients with traumatic brain injuries, or prior life alerting accidents, by providing supportive therapy to reduce disabilities and social/physical limitations.

Health Psychology
Health Psychology uses psychological prinicples to promote prevention and treatment of illnesses. It’s goal is to determine the effect that emotional, mental, and cultural factors have on a person. Another goal of Health Psychology is to better understand the various emotional responses patients go through when faced with and illness, and the changes that take place through recovery.