Psychology is the scientific study “of the thought processes and
behavior of humans and other animals in their interaction with the environment”
("Psychology," 2013). The
field of psychology consist of many different divisions that allow Psychologists
the opportunity to “study processes of sense perception, thinking, learning,
cognition, emotions, and motivations, personality, abnormal behavior,
interactions between individuals, and interactions with the environment”
("Psychology," 2013), which dates back to ancient civilizations of
Egypt, Greece, China, and India. This
paper will evaluate the influence of diversity on psychology’s major concepts
as well as identify two examples of sub-disciplines and two examples of
subtopics within psychology and how these examples can be applied to other
disciplines and venues in contemporary society, relate the sub-disciplines and
subtopics to a theoretical perspective.
The Influence of Diversity on Major Concepts in Psychology
Diversity has a very strong influence on the major concepts in
psychology, such as the psychodynamic, cognitive, behavioral and evolutionary
because each concept offers a different explanation on human behavior. Psychodynamic was developed by Sigmund Freud
states that “people’s actions reflect the way thoughts, feelings, and wishes
are associated in their minds; that many of these processes are unconscious;
and that mental processes can conflict with one another, leading to compromised
among competing motives” (Kowalski & Westen, 2011 p. 15). B.F. Skinner developed the concept on
behaviorism that “focuses on learning and studies the way in which
environmental events control behavior” (Kowalski & Westen, 2011 p.17). The cognitive
concept “focuses on the way people perceive, process, and retrieve information”
(Kowalski & Westen, 2011 p.19) and evolutionary states that “many human
behavioral tendencies evolved because they helped our ancestors survive and
reproduce” (Kowalski & Westen, 2011 p.25).
Major concepts in psychology were developed though experiments and
research on human behavior “and although the different perspectives offer
radically different ways of approaching psychology each has made distinctive
contributions” (Kowalski & Westen, 2011 p. 28) and have allowed researchers
the opportunity to incorporate the findings into different areas of psychology
giving psychologists the chance to go in more depth with assessments and
diagnosis of individuals seeking treatment for psychological issues.
Psychology Sub-disciplines and subtopics applications to other
disciplines
A sub-discipline can be defined as “a specific area of study
within a broader field” (American Psychological Association, 2010) and The
American Psychological Association recognizes “four “specialties”-clinical, counseling,
school, and industrial/organizational psychology (APA, 1997a)” as cited in (Landrum
& Davis, 2010 p.13), however “there are 54 subdivisions of psychology with
the American Psychological Association (APA) comprising diverse areas of
practice and research” (American Psychological Association, 2010).
Industrial/organizational psychology “apply psychological
principles and research methods to the workplace in the interest of improving
productivity and the quality of work life” (Landrum & Davis, 2010 p.15). I/O psychologists work in organizations to
help with hiring, training and developing healthy positive working
environments. The psychological findings from I/O psychology can be applied in
abnormal psychology and clinical psychology to provide information on how the
workplace influences behavior that could cause an individual to develop mental
illness.
Environmental psychology
examines “the relation between psychology and the physical environment,
including homes, offices, and urban or rural areas” (Landrum & Davis, 2010
p.14). Environmental psychologists’ main
focus is on how things in the environment, such as pollution, noise and traffic
congestion affect human behavior and the role human’s contribute to those
environmental stressors. Architecture, sociology and education are examples of
other disciplines that can benefit from the application of environmental
psychology through conducting research and applying those findings to help develop
environments that improve human behavior.
Educational psychology focus is “on the conditions under which
effective teaching and learning take place” (Landrum & Davis, 2010
p.14). An Educational psychologist will
examine different aspects, such as “human abilities, student motivation, and
the effect on the classroom of the diversity of race, ethnicity, and culture”
(Landrum & Davis, 2010 p.14). The
psychological findings in educational psychology can be applied to other
disciplines such as cross-cultural psychology to help psychologists gain a
better understanding on how individuals from different cultural backgrounds
process information during their learning experience.
Theoretical Perspectives
Psychoanalytical and cognitive-behavioral are two major
theoretical perspectives that relate to the sub-disciplines and subtopics that
were discussed because they both state exceptional diverse views on mental
illness in relation to human behavior.
Psychoanalytic theory “is a framework for understanding the impact of
the unconscious on thoughts, feelings, and behavior” ("Psychoanalytic
Theory," 2008), whereas cognitive-behavioral theory focus is on “changing
the behaviors and cognition's that are thought to be currently maintaining a
problem, rather than on helping a client to gain insight into the early
developmental factors that may have initially set the stage for developing the
problem” (Antony, 2005) like psychoanalytic theory. The psychoanalytical method is long and
tedious because it seeks to bring unconscious suppressed conflicts into
consciousness so the issues can be resolved, whereas cognitive-behavioral
method is short-term because it is “problem focused and goal driven” (Antony,
2005). Although both theoretical
perspectives are different in their approach they both share a common goal and
that is to offer a resolution to improper thoughts and behavior that causes
disturbances in human nature.
Conclusion
The diverse nature of psychology has its strengths and weaknesses
that continue to evolve because of continuous research efforts that seek to
understand human behavior from different viewpoints and perspectives. Each sub-discipline and subtopic concentrates
on specific areas of concerns; however they all seek to explain human behavior
just only in that particular setting therefore the incorporation of theoretical
perspectives is needed to get a more diverse understanding of certain behaviors. I practice maintaining good mental health
which allows me a greater understanding of diversity that exists within human
nature especially where mental health is concerned. My concern and care for the
well-being of others without bias gives me a better opportunity to learn more
about the influences on human behavior, personalities, mental illness and how
one day I could be of more service to those in need.
Psychoanalytic Theory. (2008). International Encyclopedia of the Social
Sciences, 6(2nd), , 576-578.
Thank you! This was very helpful.
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