Diverse Nature Of Psychology
The Diverse Nature of Psychology
The diverse nature of psychology as a discipline involves many different factors. With a degree in psychology at a graduate level there are many different avenues in which one can travel. There are four specialties of psychology that the American Psychological Association recognizes. There are many sub-fields or sub disciplines of psychology that are available to graduate students in psychology. In this document the different sub disciplines and subtopics will be discussed including motivation, behaviorism, and cognition. Examining how the sub disciplines and subtopics can be applied to other disciplines and venues in contemporary society will also be examined. The diverse nature of psychology has 54 different divisions of the American Psychological Association. Each addresses a different perspective and a unique human interaction” (Plante, 2001). There are many areas of sub disciplines in the field of psychology. “The American Psychological Association (APA) only recognizes four “specialties” which include clinical, counseling, school, and industrial organizational psychology” (Landrum & Davis, 2013). There are many sub disciplines including developmental psychologists, engineering psychologists, human relations, human services, and more. (Landrum & Davis, 2013).
Abnormal Psychology and Behaviorism …show more content…
Abnormal psychology is one sub discipline of psychology and studies the behaviors of individuals exhibiting what may seem to be a mental disorder. Abnormal psychology studies abnormal behavior and the treatment of mental disorders. This sub discipline of psychology deals with psychotherapy and clinical psychotherapy. In abnormal psychology a clinical psychologist determines the biological reasons of a mental illness and comes up with an effective treatment plan for that individual. Theories in abnormal psychology focus on the development of cognitive abilities, morality, social functioning, identity, and other areas. (Hansell & Damour, 2008).
Behaviorism is another sub discipline that researches and treats those with behavior issues such as cheating, binge drinking, aggression, and OCD among others. John B, Watson discovered the school of behaviorism and one of his famous quotes is “Give me a dozen healthy infants, well-formed, and my own specified world to bring them up in and I'll guarantee to take any one at random and train him to become any type of specialist I might select -- doctor, lawyer, artist, merchant-chief and, yes, even beggar-man and thief, regardless of his talents, penchants, tendencies, abilities, vocations, and race of his ancestors.
--John Watson, Behaviorism, 1930
“Behaviorism, also known as behavioral psychology, is a theory of learning based upon the idea that all behaviors are acquired through conditioning. Conditioning occurs through interaction with the environment. Behaviorists believe that our responses to environmental stimuli shapes our behaviors.
According to behaviorism, behavior can be studied in a systematic and observable manner with no consideration of internal mental states. This school of thought suggests that only observable behaviors should be studied, since internal states such as cognitions, emotions and moods are too subjective” (Cherry, 2013)
Behavioral therapy is useful with children who are “out of control”, individuals who cannot control their behavior such as getting in trouble with the law, being unfaithful, drug or alcohol abuse, and more.
A behavioral therapist will find out first what conditioned the individual to pick up the bad habits they had and try to reverse them or work on them to stop the bad behavior. Many times individuals who are brought into a psychiatric unit have a mental illness that affects how they behave in society. Controlling behavior and its damage to an individual helps the individual to lead a happier and healthier
life.
Sub Disciplines and Sub Topics and How They Relate to Other Disciplines
The sub disciplines of abnormal behavior and behaviorism can be applied to other disciplines and venues in contemporary society. Abnormal behavior can be applied to clinical psychology as well as behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy can also be related to other sub topics such as marriage and family counseling, medical psychology and Developmental psychology. Each of the two sub disciplines can relate to many other sub disciplines that could help an individual in his or her journey to a better mental health.
Theoretical Perspective
The theoretical perspective on the above topics of abnormal behavior and behaviorism is that both have similar issues that need to be addressed. In abnormal behavior a mental illness may be uncovered such as depression, anxiety, or even schizophrenia. In behaviorism the same mental illnesses may be discovered, but there also may be an issue related to a patient’s upbringing, family life, societal surrounds, or friends. Both sub disciplines need to be addressed by a clinical psychologist or other mental health provider to assist the patient in overcoming their specific issues.
Psychological Contribution to Society
A psychological contribution to society can be many things. Simply helping those who cannot help themselves and bringing awareness of mental illness is one method of contributing to society. An idea of my personal contribution would be to bring awareness to parents of children who are having difficulties with their children. Psychological help is available to them and their child. Books on raising children are necessary to help parents understand the importance of developmental milestones and issues that may come up while raising a child into their adult years. An awareness in society needs to be spread that mental illness are a common illness and nothing to be ashamed of.
References
Cherry, K. (2013). What is Psychology? Retrieved from http://psychology.about .com/od/psychology101/f/psychfaq.htm
Hansell, J. & Damour, L. (2008). Abnormal psychology (2nd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley
Landrum, R. E. & Davis, S. F. (2010). The psychology major: Career options and
Strategies for success (4th ed). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall.
The diverse nature of psychology as a discipline involves many different factors. With a degree in psychology at a graduate level there are many different avenues in which one can travel. There are four specialties of psychology that the American Psychological Association recognizes. There are many sub-fields or sub disciplines of psychology that are available to graduate students in psychology. In this document the different sub disciplines and subtopics will be discussed including motivation, behaviorism, and cognition. Examining how the sub disciplines and subtopics can be applied to other disciplines and venues in contemporary society will also be examined. The diverse nature of psychology has 54 different divisions of the American Psychological Association. Each addresses a different perspective and a unique human interaction” (Plante, 2001). There are many areas of sub disciplines in the field of psychology. “The American Psychological Association (APA) only recognizes four “specialties” which include clinical, counseling, school, and industrial organizational psychology” (Landrum & Davis, 2013). There are many sub disciplines including developmental psychologists, engineering psychologists, human relations, human services, and more. (Landrum & Davis, 2013).
Abnormal Psychology and Behaviorism …show more content…
Abnormal psychology is one sub discipline of psychology and studies the behaviors of individuals exhibiting what may seem to be a mental disorder. Abnormal psychology studies abnormal behavior and the treatment of mental disorders. This sub discipline of psychology deals with psychotherapy and clinical psychotherapy. In abnormal psychology a clinical psychologist determines the biological reasons of a mental illness and comes up with an effective treatment plan for that individual. Theories in abnormal psychology focus on the development of cognitive abilities, morality, social functioning, identity, and other areas. (Hansell & Damour, 2008).
Behaviorism is another sub discipline that researches and treats those with behavior issues such as cheating, binge drinking, aggression, and OCD among others. John B, Watson discovered the school of behaviorism and one of his famous quotes is “Give me a dozen healthy infants, well-formed, and my own specified world to bring them up in and I'll guarantee to take any one at random and train him to become any type of specialist I might select -- doctor, lawyer, artist, merchant-chief and, yes, even beggar-man and thief, regardless of his talents, penchants, tendencies, abilities, vocations, and race of his ancestors.
--John Watson, Behaviorism, 1930
“Behaviorism, also known as behavioral psychology, is a theory of learning based upon the idea that all behaviors are acquired through conditioning. Conditioning occurs through interaction with the environment. Behaviorists believe that our responses to environmental stimuli shapes our behaviors.
According to behaviorism, behavior can be studied in a systematic and observable manner with no consideration of internal mental states. This school of thought suggests that only observable behaviors should be studied, since internal states such as cognitions, emotions and moods are too subjective” (Cherry, 2013)
Behavioral therapy is useful with children who are “out of control”, individuals who cannot control their behavior such as getting in trouble with the law, being unfaithful, drug or alcohol abuse, and more.
A behavioral therapist will find out first what conditioned the individual to pick up the bad habits they had and try to reverse them or work on them to stop the bad behavior. Many times individuals who are brought into a psychiatric unit have a mental illness that affects how they behave in society. Controlling behavior and its damage to an individual helps the individual to lead a happier and healthier
life.
Sub Disciplines and Sub Topics and How They Relate to Other Disciplines
The sub disciplines of abnormal behavior and behaviorism can be applied to other disciplines and venues in contemporary society. Abnormal behavior can be applied to clinical psychology as well as behavioral therapy. Behavioral therapy can also be related to other sub topics such as marriage and family counseling, medical psychology and Developmental psychology. Each of the two sub disciplines can relate to many other sub disciplines that could help an individual in his or her journey to a better mental health.
Theoretical Perspective
The theoretical perspective on the above topics of abnormal behavior and behaviorism is that both have similar issues that need to be addressed. In abnormal behavior a mental illness may be uncovered such as depression, anxiety, or even schizophrenia. In behaviorism the same mental illnesses may be discovered, but there also may be an issue related to a patient’s upbringing, family life, societal surrounds, or friends. Both sub disciplines need to be addressed by a clinical psychologist or other mental health provider to assist the patient in overcoming their specific issues.
Psychological Contribution to Society
A psychological contribution to society can be many things. Simply helping those who cannot help themselves and bringing awareness of mental illness is one method of contributing to society. An idea of my personal contribution would be to bring awareness to parents of children who are having difficulties with their children. Psychological help is available to them and their child. Books on raising children are necessary to help parents understand the importance of developmental milestones and issues that may come up while raising a child into their adult years. An awareness in society needs to be spread that mental illness are a common illness and nothing to be ashamed of.
References
Cherry, K. (2013). What is Psychology? Retrieved from http://psychology.about .com/od/psychology101/f/psychfaq.htm
Hansell, J. & Damour, L. (2008). Abnormal psychology (2nd ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley
Landrum, R. E. & Davis, S. F. (2010). The psychology major: Career options and
Strategies for success (4th ed). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Prentice Hall.