Introduction
A psychological theory is a laid down study backed by research that tries to explain certain behaviors and human thought. The much that is known about human ways of thinking and behaviors can be attributed to psychological theories. Some of the widely accepted psychological theories are the behavioral theories, the cognitive theories, humanist theories, biological theories, psychodynamic and the social psychology theories. In this study, these theories will be looked with regard to their applicability in life situations and their validity in engaging the various challenges that arise in the different life situations.
Behavioral Theories
The central idea backing behavioral psychological theories is that human behavior comes because of the stimuli both intrinsic and from our environment. According to Kowalski and Western (2005), it is through behavioral theories that we learn such aspects as how we acquire new behaviors whether through the effect that the environment has on us (p.6) and what triggers our behavioral change or choice to remain the same. Behavioral psychology is considered a descendant of the animal psychology, which argues that the environment has a lot of influence in the changes that take place in human beings. This theory borrows a lot from the Darwinian view that the environment passes for a key factor in shaping the evolution of man from organic life. One of the major studies that back the validity of the behavioral theories is the classical conditioning study conducted by Ivan Pavlov a Russian psychologist. In his experiment, Pavlov used to present meat powder to dogs that had several tubes inserted in various body parts to measure their response. (Van der veer & Valsiner, 1991, p.13) Worth noting is the wide application of the theories, both in the modern and family situations.
Applications/Strengths
As the theory unfolds, surroundings determine human behavior largely. People respond differently according to the stimuli exposed to them. Behavioral psychology can be applied in a profession such as nursing in cases where the condition or the behavior portrayed by a patient can be linked to a direct or indirect stimulus. According to Kowalski (2005), a person might acquire a certain behavior because of something that is happening in the family (p.34). For instance, a child might develop a negative behavior because of the conditions exposed to him/her in the family set up. This can be situations such as the divorce of parents or the one experienced by children raised by a single parent. However, inasmuch as the theory stands out in the society, it too bears some weaknesses.
Weaknesses of Behavioral Psychology
The sole reason as to why behaviorism’s influence has declined is due to its emphasis that one can explain behavior in isolation of other non-behavioral or cognitive elements. Its use of the laboratory to explain the behaviors of human beings is subject to debate for its perceived indifference towards the ability of the human mind and other key environmental contingences. The relationship between body anatomy and the external environment comes in the biological theory.
Biological Theories
This theory examines the relationship that exists between internal body systems and external factors and how they affect human behavior. This incorporates the studies conducted to establish the functioning of human systems with a close consideration put to the mental and emotional states (Wickens, 2005, p.23). Although scientists conduct most of the experiments aimed at validating this theory on animals, they connect the findings to the human nature since similar body organs are operate the same when exposed to similar circumstances. Kozulin, (1990) argues that biological psychology aims at studying the effects of the nervous system to the internal and external stimulus (p.87). This theory can be held valid owing to the fact that neurological surgeries have been administered on patients to curb psychiatric conditions. The theory too is much applicable in life as elaborated next.
Applications/Strengths
Biological psychology can be applied in a number of professions, which include the general field of medicine. There are a number of disorders explained through this theory. These conditions include some of the common mental disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety disorders (Reiss, 2000, p.54). These complexities can be because of the exposure to certain conditions in the society. For instance, in the family such situations as the lack of proper childcare can lead to the emergence of conditions such as depression.
Weaknesses
This theory ignores the possibility of environmental factors having any influence to human behavior, feelings and thoughts. Through this, one can declare the theory a reductionist in that it ignores the possibilities posed by other theories about human behavior.
Cognitive Theory/Cognitive Behavioral
This theory tends to explain human behavior through considering and keen understanding of the thought processes. This includes the ability of perception, thinking, speaking and problem solving. This theory is different from others by the fact that it seems to accept the use of scientific methods for its validation rather than introspective ones. The theory also recognizes the possibility of the existence of internal mental frames such as belief, motivation and desire (Klimek, 1979, p.33). To react against the biggest criticism that it faced, cognitive neuroscience showed evidence of physiological states of the mind having a direct link with certain mental states. The proponents of this theory uses terms that tend to compare the operations of the human mind with computer operations. According to Newman and Holtzman (1993), terms such as information processing, as employed, describe the mental operations (p.5). Over the last couple of decades, the cognitive theory has been shifting from its stand of opposing behaviorism towards an effort to blend the two and come up with cognitive-behavioral theory.
Applications/Strengths
Cognitive theories are applied in a number of professions utilizing ideas drawn from both the behavioral and the pure cognitive schools of thought. The social cognitive theory is employed in aspects such as advertisement campaigns, behavior model campaigns and peer education. In nursing, this theory comes in when dealing mental conditions such as those that involve hallucinations. Lee and Smagorinsky (2000) argue that people have a tendency of drawing associations based on beliefs that end up affecting their lives (para.5). For instance, in the case of a girl child under the care of the father, the father needs to arm himself with a number of these theories to be able to fight certain phobias that the girl might develop when young.
Weaknesses
This theory lacks a strong research backing, which makes it to tend to integrate other arguments and ideas envisioned in other theories. It faces a lot of criticism in that it fails to address the real issues behind a personality matter. Through this, the neo-Freudians considers it as only a temporary measure.
Humanistic Theories
The reason behind the name has attracted debate from scientist. Harnish and Wolkholtz (2001) contest that these theories are named so due to the recognition of the value of goodness in regard to humanity and the respect that is accorded to it (p.45). These theories claim that current determining forces existing in both the unconscious mind and the environment influence a person’s mind strongly. This theory emphasizes on the rule of the self-determination through the freedom of choice. This gives the person the freedom to choose their own behavior rather than relying on environmental contingences and external stimulus to do this for you. It is rooted in existential psychology, which emphasizes the need of accepting one’s existence and responsibilities in life. Issues to do with human needs, self-esteem, and self-fulfillment come in as core all aimed at ensuring development of the self. Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers are the two main proponents of these theories. According to Fuller (2008), the theory is formed on some premises: a person’s present is the most important (p.67). The future or the past are not considered as very important in this theory. What rates a person as mentally healthy is the ability to respond of his/her actions whether good or bad. Attaining self-actualization is the ultimate goal of living and the definition of true happiness. Humanism seems to be a direct contention to cognitive psychology, which seems to employ scientific methods to the study of the operations of the human mind.
Applications/Strengths
Humanistic theories in psychology are applicable in almost all disciplines in the contemporary society, for instance, in the family set up, as it is emphasized by this theory, one who is vested with the responsibility of taking care of providing the basic needs of another should do so to enhance the other’s self actualization. Disorders associated with these theories involve those characterized by self-denial, which may lead to losing hope and one contemplating suicide (Green, 2000, p.37). The theories too have flaws.
Weaknesses
This theory faces most of its criticism due to the inability to provide specified approaches to treat precise conditions. Due to its core belief in free will, it proves quite difficult to find a precise method of treatment based on these theories. They cannot create viable solutions to serious mental conditions such as schizophrenia.
Psychodynamic theories
Psychodynamic theories draw their concepts from psychoanalysis. These refer to the major Freud’s ideas of psychosexual development, free associations, and therapeutic techniques of interpretation. Freud’s studies of how the motivation of the mental processes occurs laid the foundation for the entire psychodynamic theories. Cacciopo (2002) claims that these theories content that human behavior is best understood through getting a deeper inquiry into what motivates them in terms of thoughts and feelings (p.75). Freud’s the interpretation of dreams gave the psychodynamic theory another level of being understood. This does not necessarily mean that he is the first person to have considered the understanding of how dreams work. Wertsch (1985) assert that what makes him stand out in this is in his interpretation he created a relationship between mental processes and human behavior (p.6). He did this through the concept he introduced called dream censor, which work to hide the real meaning of dreams. Freud contests that the meaning of a person’s dreams can be revealed through the close analysis of the person’s overall behavior.
Application/Strengths
In Freud’s explanation of how some thoughts find themselves in the unconscious, he makes use of the term “repression”. Thoughts and feelings are repressed and forgotten in this way. For instance, when a person seeks the help of a psychiatrist because of having distress in personal relationships and discovers that he probably was abused as a child, this remembrance is considered therapeutic in Freud’s argument. This is because this has been repressed in the unconscious.This can be used to create a connection that can be used in explaining the person’s current behavior and administering proper therapy (Freud, 1911). The theories are subject to criticism.
Weaknesses
Psychodynamic theories have faced constant criticism because of seemingly having concepts that are considered vague in that they can be used to explain everything but predict little. It is also considered very difficult to verify the arguments that are considered the basic tenets of these theories scientifically.
Psychosocial Theories
These theories emphasize the fact that personality is intrinsically social and that there are important issues of key concern that determine human relationships. These can be further subdivided into two main categories, which include the social cognition models as well as the stage models. According to Sutton (2002), the term social cognition is used to reflect to a group of theories each of which takes into consideration a number of beliefs and attitudes (p.14), which seemingly constitute and determine the behavior of a person. With the models, this theory has been verified using a number of models which do not necessarily deny the possibility of other factors been a source of influence to human behavior. These models include the health belief model, the protection motivism theory, the self-efficacy theory, theory of reasoned action and the theory of planned human behavior (Morris & Maisto, 1999, p.44). These theories are used to give explanations as to why it is easy for some people to maintain their strong intentions on attaining a specific goal while others may find it difficult to do so. In conducting research on health behaviors, this has been put into great use to explain to learn previously formed intentions on some things.
Weaknesses
According to Santrock (2008), these theories tend to neglect the possibility of others being used in certain situations (p.67). This is in such cases as its failure to embrace the arguments put forward through theories such as cognitive psychological theories.
Conclusion
However, most psychological theories tend to exist in isolation, it is equally important to recognize those that rely on their relationship on others to create meaning in them. Most of the weaknesses that are found in each tend to point at its view that it can exist on its own and with isolation from others. It is advisable that when trying to explain a psychological situation, you take into consideration a number of theories and correlate them in finding the solution to a given problem.
Reference List
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