Define the main biological influences of psychology



Psychology

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February 4, 2008

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The main biological influences of psychology are behavior and mental states. Behavior is solely controlled by the nervous system, and as such, psychology has one of its main focuses as the study of the brain. The human brain relates to all behavioral and psychological processes so one of the biggest emphases is the link between brain and behavior. In addition, there are also physiological, anatomical, and even genetic variables that relate to behavioral states. These variables are also considered to be the main biological influences of psychology.

The cognitive and psycho-social components of human development are clearly described in Erikson’s stages of psychosocial development. One of the key components of Erikson's stages of psychosocial development is how it deals with the difficulty of crises that come in adulthood as it pertains to cognition and psycho-social settings. The cognitive and psycho-social components of human development pertain to the ability to nurture and facilitate positive and influential emotional and cognitive development.

According to Erikson, there are eight stages through which a healthy developing person should pass through from when they are born until when they become adults. For each cognitive and psycho-social component the person confronts, and potentially overcomes, new difficulties arise but it becomes easier to deal with the challenges that just passed. If the cognitive and psycho-social are not overcome, then it can cause serious issues if it arises again.

There are primarily four differing schools of psychology: Structuralism, functionalism, Psychoanalysis, and Behavioralism.

Structuralism

Structuralism was the primary school of psychology and focused on the contravention of mental flows into the simple components. Researchers attempted to understand the essential elements of awareness through “introspection”. Wilhelm Wundt, who was actually the originator of the first psychology lab, was an huge supporter of this point and was often thought to be the creator of structuralism even though it was his student, Edward Titchener, who first used the term to illustrate this ideology.

Functionalism

The structuralist school of thought did not survive long past Titchener's death. Functionalism was fashioned as a response to the structuralism and was greatly influenced by the work of William James and Charles Darwin evolutionary theory. Functionalists wanted to elucidate on the mental processes in a more methodical and precise manner. Rather than centering on the elements of consciousness, functionalists sought after the rationale of both consciousness and behavior. Functionalism also stressed individual differences, which had an intense reaction on education.

Psychoanalysis

Sigmund Freud was the originator of the psychodynamic approach to psychology. This school of thought stressed the influence of the unconscious mind on a person’s manners. Freud believed that the human mind was made of three elements: id, ego, and superego. Freud’s theories changed how psychologists think about the human brain and behavior.

Another psychodynamic theorist, Erik Erikson, expounded on Freud’s theories and focused primarily on the importance of growth throughout the lifespan. Erikson’s psychosocial stage theory of personality is extremely influential in our understanding of human development.

Behavioralism

Behavioral psychology, which is also called behaviorism, is a theory of learning that goes on the premise that all behavior I obtained through conditioning. Conditioning happens through communication with the environment. According to behaviorism, behavior can be researched in a methodical and visible manner with no contemplation of internal mental states.

There are two major types of conditioning: classical and Operant. Classical conditioning deals with naturally occurring stimuli, and operant conditioning deals with rewards and punishments and how association is made between a behavior and an effect for that behavior.

Humanism

Humanist thinkers believe that both psychoanalysis and behaviorism were very negative, either dwelling mainly on heartrending emotions or failing to receive the position of personal selection into account.

Humanistic psychology focuses on each person’s prospective and also focused on the importance of development and self-actualization. The elemental belief of humanistic psychology is that people are inherently good, with both mental and social problems coming from divergence from this normal propensity.

Different schools of thought have debated for a certin model to be used as a guiding theory through which human behavior can be broekn down. Some psychologists think of themselves as members of a particular school of thought and reject the others, but many consider each as a method to understanding the human brain and are think that the schools of though are connected to one another. Today, psychology has been able to combine integrated perspectives towards understanding behavior, consciousness, and social interaction. It is also agreed amongst most perspectives that any given behavior or mental process can affect and is affected by biological, psychological, and social factors. Both cognition and emotions are a factor in any given psychological phenomenon.

Critical thinking is a multifaceted action and we should not expect that one method of instruction will prove adequate for developing each of its component parts. We have learned that while it is possible to teach critical thinking and its components as detached skills, they are developed and used most efficiently when learned in connection with a specific sphere of knowledge. A model of creative thinking must be combined into a model of problem solving if we are to more methodically comprehend the components of critical thinking and their significance to the overall process. As such, it is essential to include development of creative thinking and put into practice using both sets of competencies in order to resolve problems and make decisions in an assortment of situations.

Normal behavior is when the behaviors that is exhibited by a person is in congruency with the norms of the surrounding. Normal behavior of tends to falls within a category of behavior that is acceptable and not outside of acceptable limits. Normal behavior is relative to social norms and is controlled by certain chennels of social control.

Pathological behavior, on the other hand, consists of abnormal thoughts and behavior which is often times the result of a person wanting to change abnormal patterns their functioning. The definition of what is considered pathological changes between cultures, although it is universally thought to be associated with a mental disorder. Pathological behavior gives a person the inabiolity to function effectively in a many conditions.

Works Cited

Barry, P. 2002 Beginning Theory: an introduction to literary and cultural theory, 2nd edn, Manchester University Press, Manchester, U.K., p. 36

Erikson, Erik H. Identity, Youth and Crisis. New York: Norton, 1968

Hansell, James; Lisa Damour (2005). Abnormal Psychology. Von Hoffman Press.

Petrosyan, M. 1972 Humanism: Its Philosophical, Ethical, and Sociological Aspects, Progress Publishers, Moscow.

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