Two Key Perspectives
Key perspective assignment
This assignment will be describing and evaluating two key perspectives within psychology which exist in deliberate contrast of one another. The first of which is the psychodynamic perspective founded by Sigmund Freud, who ignores the trappings of science and instead focuses on unconscious/internal conflicts, trying to get inside the head of individuals in order to make sense of their relationships, experiences and how they see the world (McLeod, 2007). It will then describe the behaviourist perspective developed by John B. Watson who believed Psychology should be seen as a science and that theories need to be supported by empirical data obtained through careful and controlled observation and measurement of behavior (Green, 2001).
In psychology, the psychodynamic theory is a perspective that explains personality in terms of conscious and unconscious forces, such as unconscious desires and beliefs. In the early 20th century, Sigmund Freud proposed a psychodynamic theory, according to which: personality consists of the ‘id’ responsible for instincts and pleasure-seeking, the ‘superego’ which attempts to obey the rules of parents and society and the ‘ego’ which mediates between them according to the demands of reality (Cherry, 2012). Psychodynamic theories commonly hold that childhood experiences shape personality. Such theories are associated with psychoanalysis, a type of therapy that attempts to reveal unconscious thoughts and desires (McLeod, 2007).
For one example, Freud used a case study method to investigate Little Hans’ phobia of horses by deeply analysing and interpreting all they said and did using techniques such as free association and dream analysis (Hill, 2001). However the case study was actually carried out by the boy’s father who was a friend and supporter of Freud. Freud only met the boy on one or two separate occasions. The father reported to Freud via correspondence and Freud gave directions as how to deal with the
This assignment will be describing and evaluating two key perspectives within psychology which exist in deliberate contrast of one another. The first of which is the psychodynamic perspective founded by Sigmund Freud, who ignores the trappings of science and instead focuses on unconscious/internal conflicts, trying to get inside the head of individuals in order to make sense of their relationships, experiences and how they see the world (McLeod, 2007). It will then describe the behaviourist perspective developed by John B. Watson who believed Psychology should be seen as a science and that theories need to be supported by empirical data obtained through careful and controlled observation and measurement of behavior (Green, 2001).
In psychology, the psychodynamic theory is a perspective that explains personality in terms of conscious and unconscious forces, such as unconscious desires and beliefs. In the early 20th century, Sigmund Freud proposed a psychodynamic theory, according to which: personality consists of the ‘id’ responsible for instincts and pleasure-seeking, the ‘superego’ which attempts to obey the rules of parents and society and the ‘ego’ which mediates between them according to the demands of reality (Cherry, 2012). Psychodynamic theories commonly hold that childhood experiences shape personality. Such theories are associated with psychoanalysis, a type of therapy that attempts to reveal unconscious thoughts and desires (McLeod, 2007).
For one example, Freud used a case study method to investigate Little Hans’ phobia of horses by deeply analysing and interpreting all they said and did using techniques such as free association and dream analysis (Hill, 2001). However the case study was actually carried out by the boy’s father who was a friend and supporter of Freud. Freud only met the boy on one or two separate occasions. The father reported to Freud via correspondence and Freud gave directions as how to deal with the