Introduction
- Study of Psychology theories began in early 20th century.
- They helped in understanding of human behavior, learning new behaviors and gain more information on human thought.
- In that period, the most dominant was the behavioral theory.
- Other theories that came later include cognitive, developmental, humanistic personality, as well as social psychology theories.
Psychology theories had a great influence on modern society. They have been utilized to understand human behavior, as well as learn new behaviors. Moreover, these theories have been influential in helping parents, organizations and governments, as well as psychologists gain more information on human behavior. There are various types of theories as brought about by different schools of thought. These include behavioral, cognitive, developmental, humanistic personality as well as social psychology theories. These theories came about in different times of human history. The first of which being behavioral theory. This paper aims at exploring these theories, as well as establish their influence in the future of psychology (Aziz-Zadeh, Liew & Dandekar, 2012, p. 21).
Theories of Psychology
- Behavioral theory: States that all behaviors are acquired by conditioning, theorists include Skinner, among others.
- Cognitive theory: Studies how people perceive, remember, learn or think. Theorists include Gustav fencer, among others.
- Developmental theory: States that personality develops through stages, which must be passed to avoid fixation. Theorists include Sigmund Freud, among others.
- Humanistic theory: States that people are inherently good, and deviation from this trend leads to social /mental problems. Theorists include Abraham Maslow, among others.
- Personality theory: Studies behaviors, feelings and patterns of thinking of individuals. Theorists include Freud, among others.
- Social psychology theory: Utilizes scientific methods to explain people’s behaviors, thoughts and feelings when influenced by others. Theorists include Gordon Allports, among others.
Different theories of psychology have been unveiled from the twentieth century. These include behavioral, cognitive, developmental, humanistic personality as well as social psychology theories. Behavioral psychology is derived from a school of thought which believes that all behaviors are acquired by conditioning. In this regard, theorists such as Skinner, among others, believed that irrespective of background, race or talents, an infant could be trained into any type of specialization. On the other hand, cognitive psychology studies how people perceive, remember, learn or think. This relates it to other disciplines in science that study neuroscience, linguistics as well as psychology. Theorists such as Gustav Fencer, among others, advocated for cognitive theory. The other is developmental theory, which was brought about by Sigmund Freud (Cherrry, 2012, p. 1).
Freud believed that personality develops through stages which must be passed to avoid fixation. The theory postulates that psychosexual energies drive human behavior. Alternatively, there is Abraham Maslow’s humanistic theory which stresses on self-actualization and growth. Moreover, it is grounded on the fact that people are inherently good and deviation from this trend leads to social /mental problems. In addition, there is a personality theory, which studies behaviors, feelings and patterns of thinking in individuals. Furthermore, it considers patterns that are inborn and consistent throughout one’s life. Lastly, there is Gordon Allports’s social psychology, which utilizes scientific methods to understand as well as explain people’s behaviors, thoughts and feelings when influenced by other individuals (Cherrry, 2012, p. 1).
Examples
- Behavioral theory was widely used in the early 20th century.
- Behaviorism theory is still used by parents, teachers and animal trainers, among others to discourage new behaviors and teach new ones.
- The United States government utilizes social psychology theory to influence the citizens.
- Humanistic theory is inclined to morals of humanity.
- These theories are important in human development.
Behavioral theory was widely used in the early 20th century. However, it was later criticized for being one-dimensional. Nevertheless, it is important to note that behaviorism theory is still used by parents, teachers and animal trainers, among others to discourage new behaviors and teach new ones. These theories have therefore been influential in modern world. In fact, the United States government has employed studies on social psychology theory to help understand and influence the citizens. Psychosexual theory, on the other hand, has been met with huge controversy due to the energies Sigmund believed to drive behavior. Humanistic theory is inclined to morals of humanity, as it believes that people are innately good. In essence, these theories are important in human development (Aziz-Zadeh, Liew & Dandekar, 2012, p. 21).
Interesting theories
- Behavioral theory: Is applicable in numerous areas including homes, schools and work places, among others.
- Humanistic theory: This theory is important in human development. It strengthens belief in humanity and one’s natural ability to be good.
- Personality theory: Help psychologists, among others to understand the personality of individuals they interact.
- Social Psychology theory: Helps foster group dynamics in order to improve productivity, cohesion and unity, among others (Cherrry, 2012, p. 1).
From the theories above, it is important to note that a number of them have contributed greatly to human development. Theories of great interest include behavioral, humanistic, personality and social psychology theories. For instance, behavioral theory has been significant in learning environments. Moreover, it has extended to homes, schools, work places and psychology. This is mainly because it promotes leaning of new behaviors as well as discourage unwanted ones. Similarly, humanistic theory believes in humanity and one’s natural ability to be good. This is important as it strengthens human behavior and confidence in their ability to be responsible. No wonder, acts of atrocities are always refereed to as being inhuman (Cherrry, 2012, p. 1).
Personality theories are also very important as they help psychologists understand the personality of individuals. This is very instrumental in enabling understanding and bonding. In addition, personality theories are important in identifying one’s personality. This is very instrumental in establishing the kind of profession in which individual can best apply his/her skills. Social psychology theory is among the most dynamic theories. This is mainly because it helps foster group dynamics in order to improve productivity, cohesion and unity, among others. For instance, the United States uses this theory to study their population as well as influence support. It helps one understand his/her surrounding (Cherrry, 2012, p. 1).
Disinteresting theories: Developmental theory and Cognitive theory
Cognitive theory
- Has brought about sharp divisions as well as controversies on their relevance to a common man.
- Makes studying of human behavior more complex and restricted to scientists and other professionals.
- Therefore, it does not appeal to society and building of unity within a community.
Even though these theories are useful, some of them have been criticized for various reasons. For instance, developmental and cognitive theories have brought about sharp divisions, as well as controversies on their relevance. For instance, cognitive psychology, which studies how people perceive, remember, learn or think, is related to other scientific disciplines such neuroscience, linguistics, as well as psychology. This makes human brain a core area of study, which makes studying of human behavior more complex and restricted to scientists and other professionals. In that respect, it does not appeal to society and building of unity within a community (Cash, 2012, p. 1).
Developmental theory
- Theory is quite controversial as it pegs people’s behavior on drives and emotions.
- It is not reflective of all factors that influence behavior such as environment, individual characteristics, among others.
- Therefore, communities with sophisticated cultural backgrounds would not follow it to gain maturity, e.g. Africans, Latinos etc.
Similarly, the other theory is Sigmund Freud‘s developmental theory, which postulates that personality develops through stages that must be passed to avoid fixation. The theory continues that psychosexual energies drive human behavior. This theory is quite controversial as it pegs people’s behavior on drives and emotions. As much as this may be true, it is not reflective of all factors that influence behavior such as environment, individual characteristics, among others. Moreover, it has been proven that some people do not complete these theories but live healthy lives. In this regard, the theory may be true to some extent; however, this does not reflect behaviors of all human. For instance, communities with sophisticated cultural backgrounds would not follow it to gain maturity (Aziz-Zadeh, Liew & Dandekar, 2012, p. 21).
Explanation
- All theories are significant, however, they apply in various areas of developments with varying levels of interest.
- For instance, behavioral theory is instrumental in homes as well as in animal training. This makes it more influential to society than cognitive, which is a reserve for professionals.
- Moreover, humanistic, personality and social psychology theories aim at fostering unity in groups of people and communities as opposed to developmental theory, which is quite controversial in its application.
These theories are all significant. However, they applicable to various areas of development. This ensures that they are important to a given group of people at different levels. For instance, even though behavioral theories are considered to be obsolete, they are still used in learning institutions to acquire wanted behaviors. Moreover, they are instrumental in homes as well as in animal training. This makes them more influential to society than cognitive, which is a reserve for professionals. This can also be said about humanistic, personal and social psychology, which are aimed at fostering unity in groups of people and communities. This cannot be said about developmental theory, which is quite controversial in its application (Cash, 2012, p. 1).
Influence on future of psychology
- Theories are dynamic, which shows that more advancement are yet to be unveiled especially considering those theories focused on cognitive, developmental, personality and social psychology theories.
- Moreover, these theories provide basis for future research on psychology.
- In addition, their dynamic nature will be helpful for new discoveries for psychology especially in neuroscience (Aziz-Zadeh, Liew & Dandekar, 2012, p. 21).
These theories have great importance to the future of psychology. For instance, in the early 20th century, psychological studies began with behavioral theory. However, this had been changed as further advancements were made to include cognitive, developmental, humanistic personality, as well as social psychology theories. This shows that studies are in progress and more advancement are yet to be unveiled, especially considering those theories focused on cognitive, developmental, personality and social psychology theories. This is mainly because the theories help explain human behavior, development and thoughts. This is very important for psychology as it enables better interaction and capacity development for individuals. Moreover, these theories provide basis for coming with research in psychology. In addition, they are dynamic and this will be helpful for new discoveries (Aziz-Zadeh, Liew & Dandekar, 2012, p. 21).
New methods that can be applied in psychology
These include:
- Experimental research, among others.
- Experimental research is important in psychology as it enables one to apply leaned theories in practice before giving results. Moreover, these theories provide basis for future research in psychology field.
- In addition, hypothesis can be formulated and tested based on results from the given research.
- In this regard, psychology can be researched for future application and improvement.
A number of methods have been brought about in research of psychology. These include experimental research, among others. Experimental research is important in psychology as it enables one to apply leaned theories in practice before giving results. For instance, social psychology provides an important subject for experimental research in which behavior of a give population can be studied during a given period. This can then be used to provide conclusive analysis of their behavior. In this research, hypothesis can be formulated and tested based on results from the given research. Moreover, group dynamics can also be monitored and researched for future application and improvement (Reiss, 2010, p. 1).
Effect on worldview
- Information in this presentation is instrumental in identifying the best techniques of attaining good behavior from children and adults.
- It provides an opportunity to study impacts of these theories on behavior, thoughts and feelings.
- It also helps one to identify some theories, which may be helpful in his /her line of thought.
- For instance, humanistic theory helps one to understand that atrocities are not human nature, this helps one to associate freely with everyone (Cash, 2012, p. 1).
Information in this presentation is very instrumental in identifying the best techniques of attaining good behavior from children and adults. Moreover, it provides an opportunity to study impacts of these theories on behavior, thoughts and feelings. In addition, this presentation helps one to understand his/her environment, society and the world at large. It also helps one to identify with some theories, which may be helpful in his /her line of thought. For instance, humanistic theory helps one to understand that atrocities are not human nature and are outside human nature as a result of problems. This helps one to associate freely with everyone, as well as learn his or her culture to reinforce unity (Cash, 2012, p. 1).
Conclusion
- These theories are important to society as they provide ways of understanding one another.
- They help individuals motivate one another, as well as choose good career paths that are satisfying.
- In order to come up with a good presentation, one needs to examine the theories critically.
- Moreover, he/she needs to assess his/her position in all arguments .
- Presentations should also be easy to understand as this makes it appealing to everyone (Reiss, 2010, p. 1).
The theories mentioned above are important to society as they provide ways of understanding one another. Moreover, they help individuals motivate one another, as well as choose good career paths that are satisfying. In order to come up with a good presentation, one needs to examine the theories critically. Moreover, he/she needs to assess his/her position in all arguments in order to give a standpoint. In addition, creativity is very important in providing useful presentation as it draws more attention of the audience. Presentations should also be easy to understand, as some audiences may not have the necessary skills to interpret some terms and inclusions (Reiss, 2010, p. 1).
Reference List
Aziz-Zadeh, L. Liew, S. L., & Dandekar, F. (2012). Exploring the Neural Correlates of Visual Creativity. Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, Web.
Cash, A. (2012). Analyzing Theories of Psychology. Web.
Cherrry, K. (2012).Psychology Theories. Web.
Reiss, S. (2010). Who We Are: New Ways of Thinking About People. Web.