Perspectives of Psychology

Psychology as we all know is the scientific study of the behavior of humans and animals. The following paragraphs will compare and contrast Psychodynamic, Behavioral, and Humanistic perspectives of psychology.

Each one of these perspectives searches for answers about behavior through different techniques and through looking for answers to different kinds of questions. Due to the different approaches, each perspective form their own assumptions and explanations. Some perspectives are widely accepted while others struggle for acceptance

Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow were the key people in developing the Humanistic Perspective, Sigmund Freud and Erik Erikson were the key people in developing the Psychodynamic Perspectives and American psychologist John B. Watson was the key person in developing the Behavioral perspective.

The Psychodynamic Perspective focuses on unconscious mental activity. This perspective suggests that both normal and abnormal behaviors are determined primarily by unconscious forces (Davis And Palladino). The Behavioral Perspective focus on observable behaviors; but does not speculate about mental processes such as thinking (Davis And Palladino). It also focuses on learning in understanding how various behaviors occur. The Humanistic Perspective focuses on how people can come to achieve their fullest potential as individuals who make choices and who take control of responsibility for their mental, social, and personal experiences. It also emphasizes free will and individuals’ control of their own behavior (Davis And Palladino).

The cognitive process which is defined as some composite cognitive activity; an operation that affects mental contents; the process of thinking; and the cognitive operation of remembering. The view of the cognitive process of The Behavioral Perspectives is due to private events not subject to scientific examination, best explained by examining the environment. The view of the cognitive process of The Psychodynamic Perspective is due to unconscious processes determine about 6/7 of our behavior. The cognitive process of The Humanistic Perspective is due cognition and emotions; and that behaviors are mostly determined by emotions.

The Humanistic Psychology is influence by individual growth, personal responsibilities, and free will. The Psychodynamic Psychology is influence by unconscious mental process (needs and conflicts), and the Behavior Psychology is influence by interaction with other behavior and the environment.