The introduction: the importance of various psychological approaches
Generally, there are many definitions of psychology. There are many approaches to the ways to define the science. In my opinion, psychology studies various mental processes and their impact on human’s behavior. In other words, the relationships between the mental processes are of primary importance.
The ways a person’s organism reacts, feels, acts, thinks, etc. are the issues psychology is related to. As far as the science or the branch of medicine studies human and social points, one may affirm that psychology is not only a natural science, but also a social one.
The science consists of numerous subcategories, which most important are psychodynamic theories, behaviorism, cognitive science, and the humanistic approach.
Thus, psychodynamic theories are associated with Sigmund Freud’s studies. In other words, on the one hand, there are unconscious mental processes, which are of primary importance; on the other hand, early childhood experiences are also rather significant as they impact on the development of personality. Behaviorism is a psychological perspective, which states that the science is to be totally objective.
The idea that any behavior can be controlled is one of the key questions behaviorism is based on. Cognitivism is a subcategory, which studies the impact of thoughts and ideas on human behavior. In other words, the ways persons think determine their acts. The key point of the humanistic approach is a human potential. On the other hand, the approach is mostly related to conscious experience. The importance of free will is one of the key points the humanistic approach studies.
The thesis statement
Psychology is a science which studies numerous aspects of human behavior. Learning, reasoning, understanding, emotion are the basic points mental forces consist of. The science analyzes the laws of thoughts and emotions of persons.
The body: psychological analysis
The person I want to represent as a subject of my analysis is famous American singer-songwriter Amy Lynn Hartzler. She is known as lead vocalist of famous American rock band Evanescence. Lee was born in 1981. When Amy was six, one of her youngest sisters died. The singer devoted to her sister the songs Hello and Like You. She studied music theory at a public university MTSU. In 2007, Amy married a therapist Josh Hartzler.
When Amy was young, she wanted to be a veterinarian, but when she saw open heart surgery on a cat on TV, she changed her decision (Steele, 2007, p. 1). Amy is fond of Smashing Pumpkins and Beork. She thinks that a real signer is to be open-minded and different. A singer is to write the songs for herself or himself, but not to try to impress others. In other words, Amy thinks that honesty is one of the best traits persons are to develop.
She doesn’t support the private relationships with someone she works with. According to the interview of a journalist Steele (2007) Amy says, “If you really want to be respected and taken seriously you need to keep your eye on the ball and stay focused” (p. 1). The singer doesn’t afraid of the difficulties or problems. She is sure that the problems make her stronger. She takes into account not her own viewpoints, but also the opinions of others.
Evanescence’s albums are successful. Amy is sure that it is the desire of all the members of a rock band, which influences the success of the songs.
So, I suppose it is a cognitive neuroscience I can rely on to analyze Amy’s behavior. I decided to choose the type of psychology as we are familiar with the singer’s thoughts and philosophy. In other words, as far as cognitivism determines the impact of a person’s thought on his/her behavior, this perspective is the most appropriate one.
Taking into account Amy Lee’s life story and the worldview, I can say that the singer differentiates between her career and personal life. There are two separate aspects of Amy Lee’s life. The singer doesn’t display hypocrisy, as according to her, honesty is the best policy. For this reason, while analyzing the singer’s thoughts, it is difficult to impugn Lee’s honesty.
Child development is one of the most important points cognitivism studies. Thus, as far as we know that Amy lost her sister, one can make a conclusion that she values family relations. The singer has strong principles, which were formed due to various situations/events she experienced in the past.
Another psychological approach Amy’s behavior can be explained with is the humanistic approach. According to the approach people seek to actualize (make real through action) their potential as creatively as they can (Utdallas.edu, 2011, p. 14). So, it is exactly about Amy Lee, who actualized her potential in music career.
Another aspect of the singer’s life I want to consider is her decision to be a singer, but not a veterinarian. Thus, Amy took a conscious decision about the direction of her life. She perceives reality she sees; she is independent and creative; she accepts herself; she solves problems; she has a sense of humor; and she enjoys her life. She has a self-concept, which filters her perceptions. These are the fundamentals of the human approach Amy’s behavior is analyzed according to.
The conclusion: Lee’s ENFJ – Sage according to MBTI
According to the types of Meyers Briggs, Amy Lee is mostly associated with ENFJ – Sage type. Extraversion, Intuition, Feeling, Judgment are the basic point of the type. According to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), Lee is “warm, empathetic, responsive, and responsible.
Highly attuned to the emotions, needs, and motivations of others. Finds potential in everyone, wants to help others fulfill their potential. May act as catalysts for individual and group growth. Loyal, responsive to praise and criticism. Sociable, facilitates others in a group, and provides inspiring leadership” (Asu.edu, 2008, p. 3).
Reference List
Asu.edu. (2008). The 16 Myers-Briggs Types. Web.
Steele, S. (2007). Interview with Amy Lee. Web.
Utdallas.edu. (2011). What is Psychology? Web.