Five major theoretical bases for counseling in psychology are biological, learning, cognitive, psychodynamic, and sociocultural. Each one of these perspectives searches for answers about behavior through different techniques and researching a clients childhood or adult life experiences looking for answers to different kinds of questions. Due to the different types and styles of counseling approaches, each counselor forms their own thoughts and explanations.
The premise behind the biological perspective in psychology is that all actions, feelings, and thoughts are associated with different events in a person’s life. Biological psychologists examine how the electrical impulses, hormones, and chemicals flowing through the body can affect behavior. Physocologists are concerned with how the aspects of biology effect people’s emotions and their perception of events.
Many of the important findings in psychology from the behavioral theory later evolving into the social learning theory or cognitive social learning theory. Behavior therapists used to believe that actions were responses to stimuli that were learned. This concept led to a broadening of psychology. Many groups that were often overlooked by psychologists until behavior therapy became the dominant school of psychology in the U.S. after the 1960's.
The cognitive perspective of psychology focuses on the thought process. Psychologists from this school argue that it is necessary to know what is going on in the mind to fully understand why a person will do the things that they do. The reason for cognitive psychology is to understand how perceptions and interpretations relate to behavior. Why some people turn to violence when insulted while another person will not.
Many critics of the psychodynamic therapy do not believe psychodynamic theories have any bearing on psychology. Based upon the fact that many of the psychoanalysis assumptions could not be verified. Research psychologists were more related to philosophy rather than clinical science. Though not as scientific as the other theories the psychodynamic theory is still associated with psychology.
The sociocultural perspective concentrates on an individual’s culture or society rather than the individual. To understand why people show certain behavior traits. Psychologists look at what effects the person's community and how other people affect a person.
These five theoretical bases are similar because they all try to determine what causes a person to be how they are.
If I were to do counseling, I think I would like to become a behavior therapist. I am fascinated by what makes a person what they are, and why does a person do what they do?
Cognitions are the thoughts, beliefs, and the internal messages that individuals have about events within their lives (Gladding, 2005). This is the basis of cognitive theory and what counselors assist their clients in modifying. To execute this properly in helping clients professional counselors must know the major principles of cognitive theory, cognitive interventions, who may benefit from cognitive interventions, and examine case studies to identify and treat cognitive distortions that inhibit individuals.
The modern world of today, psychologists have drifted away from the popularity of the psychodynamic therapy is use. Considering that many still use portions within their professional practice currently, it would seem appropriate to conclude the value and worth of psychodynamic theory in psychological work. Generally speaking, those practicing cognitive-behavior theory are applying a blend of the psychodynamic theory within their psychological efforts.
Murdock, NL 2004, Theories of counselling and psychotherapy: A case approach, Pearson/Merrill/Prentice Hall, New York.
Within the counselling setting there can be many different approaches to take in order to help the client to over come their personal challenges. While all provide a unique and abstract way of handling, interpreting and solving these challenges they all have their own positives and negatives when scrutinized. Two approaches that have little in common but the fact they are used within the same working environment are the feminist theory and the psychoanalytic approach. Psychoanalytic approach has a structured and theoretical basic which leave it with much less room for interpretation and adaption to the client. Focusing more on the past and development then the
It is inevitable that in psychotherapy there are numerous theories. Theories arise out of scholarly investigations of ideas on human behavior. Human behavior is an extraordinarily interesting subject and therefore produces a plethora of ideas from a variety of theorists. These theorists are influenced by their education, culture, and time period. One influential theorist is Carl Rogers. His contributions to human behavior have changed many of the theories that preceded him, and his theory contributed to many theories that followed.
Establishing a theoretical counseling orientation is an important step in developing professional identity. Theories provide counselors with explanations of human nature, help with conceptualizing clients’ problems and deliver procedural guidance in predicting clients’ change. Contemporary counselor is expected to be integrative and eclectic, drawing inspiration from many approaches. It is also my hope to synthesize a variety of concepts and a diversity of strategies from different theories and integrate them into a coherent, comprehensive perspective.
Psychology's three main levels of analysis uses three different views: biological, psychological, and social-cultural to explain the actions and behaviors of others. Each level provides insight into certain behaviors. Together they form the biopsychosocial approach. The biopsychosocial approach uses all three levels of analysis at one time to better explain the action and behaviors of others. Depending on the situation, one level could be used more than the others to explain a particular phenomenon, but each is valued. One without the rest is considered incomplete. (Myers, 2011, p.7)
1.) Psychology is the study of how humans think, behave and feel and how the brain receives and processes information. Five major aspects that psychology focuses on are mental activity, behavior, critical thinking, social interaction and emotional processes. Mental activity allows us to use our five senses to perceive our surroundings. Our behavior is how we react to the information we receive about our surroundings. Critical thinking that helps us evaluate information to find a sensible, well-supported conclusion. Social interaction allows us to communicate with others while emotional processes helps us understand and effectively integrate our emotions in our daily lives.
The study of psychology began as a theoretical subject a branch of ancient philosophy, and later as a part of biological sciences and physiology. However, over the years, it has grown into a rigorous science and a separate discipline, with its own sets of guidance and experimental techniques. This paper aims to study the various stages that the science of psychology passed through to reach its contemporary status, and their effects on its development. It begins with an overview of the historical and philosophical basis of psychology, discusses the development of the various schools of thought, and highlights their effects on contemporary personal and professional decision-making.
Whilst evaluating the cognitive approach to psychology there are many strengths such as that the cognitive approach takes an understanding of the influence from mental processes on one’s behaviour, focusing on an individual’s thinking patterns and their perception. This approach also relates to many known functions and operations that the human body performs such as memory and problem solving.
The psychological genre as it relates to sociological and medicinal matters has gained an increasing amount of scientific approval. Impartiality and the scientific method are both integral components to a psychologist’s mode of practice. However, even the most esteemed of psychologists can only speculate at what makes human beings act the way they do. Absolutes play no function in psychology. Everything is relative and open to conjecture. Theologians give us their visions or thoughts about life. In the field of psychology, there have been many different regions of interest and speculation.
The five major theoretical perspectives in psychology are biological, learning, cognitive, psychodynamic, and sociocultural perspectives. 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.
Theoretical Perspective: This semester in procedures of counseling class we discussed a lot of different types of counseling theories. We also did a lot of practicing with each theory with our partners. I found that person-centered therapy best fits my personal attitudes and style of counseling. I think this would be a good style of counseling for me because I can see myself better helping people as a whole than trying to fix an actual problem.
Psychology is the scientific study of the mind, brain, and behavior. In psychology, and all of the other sciences, relying on opinions is abandoned in order to find out which explanations best fit the evidence or data given. Science continually forces us to question our findings and conclusions. Over time, psychology has advanced greatly and a main reason for such progressiveness is because of the change in the research model used.
To understand or create a theory, one must first have scientific support. The best way to comprise such support is research. Counseling theories give an extensive basis of data from research which has relevant correlation to active psychotherapists and counseling practitioners.