Discuss this statement and show how a behaviourist’s approach to therapy is in stark contrast to a psychoanalytic.’
Introduction
In this essay I intend to compare and contrast the behaviourist perspective with a psychoanalytical approach to therapy, in relation to the above statement and will explore their fundamental principles and differences.
Throughout the centuries, different methods and techniques have been developed to help enhance the quality of therapy for people who suffer from different types of behaviours. Many theories about how and what therapy is and most effective techniques have been sought out and applied. All have different techniques with yet the same goal, which is to find a cure and treat the individual’s issue. Through the years therapists have found one to be more effective than the other, and some therapies have been modified of enhanced to better treat a patient.
Behavioural psychology, also known as behaviourism, is a theory of learning based upon the idea that all behaviours are acquired through conditioning. Conditioning occurs through interaction with the environment. According to behaviourism, behaviour can be studied in a systematic and observable manner with no consideration of internal mental processes. As human beings we are driven to understand who we are, what makes us tick and how the facets of our own personality make us individual. The answer to this question according to behaviourists is that we are born with a handful of innate responses known as stimulus response units and that all our complex behaviours are through learning by interaction with the environment. Behaviourism is the theory that the development of human nature is governed by our environment or nurturing rather than individual's innate qualities or ‘nature’. Bringing to mind the ‘nature versus nurture’ debate, one of the