In the mid-1800’s, testing and research was not as easy to do, partially because of technology, and partially because Psychology was still a new practice. Psychology was not yet widely known or accepted in the medical community or in the general public. “Psychology is a science of behavior and mental functioning that uses both quantitative and qualitative research studies to develop and test hypotheses and put forward theories and models that explain human behavior” (Spear, n.d. para. 1).
Functionalism assumes the best learning comes from understanding the source that the learning is coming from. In the case of Psychology, the source is the brain. Functionalism is based on the theory that the best way to learn about why people do the things they do is to understand the way that their brain uses and processes information.
Structuralism performs research from verbal accounts of a situation. This method of research identifies and analyzes the most basic elements of the situation that the subject has experienced. Structuralism research includes not only physical and environmental events, but also emotional and mental events.
Psychology has changed quite a bit since the beginning theories of Functionalism and Structuralism. There are now many major schools of thought in Psychology. Over time, with new technology and new research came new theories.
The behavioral theory believes that human behavior is shaped by environment. This theory is often referenced with alcoholism or domestic abuse. Many people think that both alcoholism and domestic abuse can be directly related to the environment that the offender was exposed to as a child.
This theory is sometimes confused with the Physiological theory. The Physiological theory is based on research to learn how the brain affects behavior. This theory conversely also believes that behavior affects the brain. For instance, the brain may tell someone to try using drugs to make them feel better. At the same time, trying those drugs will affect that person’s brain.
This brings on the theory of Humanism. Humanism deals with a person’s free will. The Humanistic approach believes that a person’s behavior relies on their feelings and perceptions. This theory would mean that behavior is very unpredictable, because behavior would change as feelings changed, which could prove to be a minute to minute change.
Another theory that is altered by emotions and feelings is the Cognitive theory. The Cognitive theory studies thoughts and perceptions. It believes that thoughts and perceptions directly affect a person’s problem solving strategies. It then studies the way it affects that person’s life.
The Social/Cultural theory relies on a person’s perception of what society deems “normal.” A person who would fit into this school of thought is very worried about their role in society and societies perception of them. This person will make decisions based on what they believe will be best accepted by their community.
The Psychoanalytical and Clinical theories are both theories that are constantly changing and adapting based on new information and also based on the individual patient. These theories seem to be complimented by other theories in their practice. They both study thoughts of both the conscious and the unconscious mind.
In addition to these theories, there is also another branch of Psychology. Biological Psychology studies the brain itself. Biological Psychology studies the nervous system and the way it effects the brain. There are many factors that affect the brain and nervous system.
The central nervous system refers to the brain and spinal cord. This is where information is carried from the brain and down the spinal cord and into muscles in the back. Conversely, the nervous system carries messages to the brain through neurons.
The Peripheral nervous system controls motor movements and voluntary processes, while the Endocrine is responsible for glandular function and hormones. The Automatic nervous system is responsible for life processes. This includes sympathetic and parasympathetic processes. Sympathetic process is often referred to as the “fight or flight” response, while Parasympathetic is referred to as “rest and response.”
Both of these responses can have a number of triggers, including psychological and physiological. A rape victim may have a sympathetic reaction to facing her attacker in court, but may have a parasympathetic reaction to seeing the guilty verdict read in that same court room. This would be a psychological trigger, not a physiological trigger.
However, that same rape victim may walk past the original location of her attack and have a sympathetic resaction, even though she knows her attacker is in prison and cannot hurt her at that moment. This would be a physiological trigger.
This brings Biological Psychology back full circle to the major theories of psychology. Over the years, psychology has grown a better understanding of both the physical and emotional reactions of the body. Psychologists will grow an even better understanding as research continues. In about 150 years, Psychology has developed from being nonexistent to what it is today, and it will only continue to develop in the future.
Refrences
Spear, Laura. (n.d.). Foundations of Psychology. Socyberty. Retrieved September 18, 2009, from http://socyberty.com/psychology/foundations-of-psychology/
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