Psychodynamic Perspective Of Psychology Essay

Lauren Fitzpatrick

Psychological perspectives

1.

a) The psychodynamic perspective in psychology focuses on the effect subconscious thoughts, memories, and desires have on a person's behavior. Psychodynamic psychologists may examine a person's childhood.

b) The behavioral approach in psychology emphasizes the study of behavior that is visible to observers instead of a person's internal, mental processes. Psychologists that follow this approach use only the scientific method in their research.

c) The humanistic perspective on psychology focuses on qualities they believe separate humans from animals, like potential for growth. Humanists have an optimistic view of human nature and believe that a person's self-image influences behavior.

d) Cognitive psychologists focus on how

people process information. They believe that the way a person processes information influences the way he or she responds (behaves). They think of the way a person thinks as a computer processing information. They place more emphasis on the scientific method, but unlike behaviorists, focus more on inner processes.
e) Biological psychology explains human behavior by using biology. The genetics, chemical processes, and bodily structures that govern behavior are studied.
f) Evolutionary psychologists believe behaviors develop as a result of natural selection. A behavior pattern may have developed because it allowed an individual to adapt to a problem and/ or environment, enabling it to reproduce and pass its genes to the next generation.
g) Socio-cultural psychology studies how a person's behavior is affected by the social and cultural environment he or she develops and/or lives in.

Factors like race, ethnicity, religion, etc. could mold a person's behavior.

a) A psychodynamic psychologist would analyze Walter's childhood to get insight on his behavior. Walter often felt criticized and abused by his parents as a child. As a result, he is more sensitive as an adult, and frequently feels insulted by those around him. Also, because he views his father as submissive to his (Walter's) mother, he unconsciously tries to separate himself by being demanding of his girlfriends.

b) Behavioral psychologists would ignore Walter's inner thoughts and feelings and only studying his observable behaviors. Behaviorists would ignore heredity and focus on how Walter's environment is influencing his behavior. They would try to identify stimuli for his behavior, like how seeing his ex-girlfriend caused him to become enraged and vengeful.

c)Humanists would remain optimistic and believe that Walter has the ability to improve his behavior. They would try to get him to improve his self-image and stop criticizing himself for his lack of a social

life.
d)Cognitive psychologists would try to get a better understanding of Walter's mental processes, like perceiving,remembering, problem-solving, etc. One thing they might focus on is what causes Walter to perceive that other people are treating him unfairly.
e)Biological psychologists would try to find a connection between Walter's physiology and his behavior. They would theorize that he inherited a gene from his mother that made him predisposed to develop depression. They would also try to see if the drug he was prescribed three years ago had an effect on his behavior.
f)Evolutionary psychologists would look for a behavior that could have developed through natural selection. For example, they might theorize that being critical of romantic partners helps him find someone with better genes, which would allow his offspring to survive and reproduce.
g) Socio-cultural psychologists would try to see how Walter's interactions affect his behavior. They would also examine how his environment (school, work,etc.) affected his behavior.