Download THE DIVERSES NATURE OF PSYCHOLOGY 1 The Diverse Nature

Running head: THE DIVERSE NATURE OF PSYCHOLOGY
The Diverse Nature of Psychology
Donna Lewis
University of Phoenix
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The Diverse Nature of Psychology
Psychology is a type of science concerned with human and nonhuman behavior,
cognition, emotion, and motivation (Spector, 2008). As a discipline, psychology includes
obvious traces of different sciences while upholding an involvement of origin in scientific
knowledge regarding human and nonhuman behavior. In this paper, the influence of diversity on
psychology’s major concepts will be evaluated and two sub-disciplines will be identified along
with two examples of subtopics. In addition, this paper will evaluate the way in which the
identified sub-disciplines and subtopics can be applied to other disciplines as well as venues in
contemporary society, the way in which the chosen sub-disciplines and subtopics relate to the
author’s theoretical perspective, and the author’s psychological contribution to society regarding
the areas of work, education, health, and leisure.
The Diverse Nature of Psychology as a Discipline
Compared to other sciences psychology is fairly new, approximately 125 years old
consequently tying the history of psychology with modern psychology (Ciccarelli & White,
2009). Psychology as a discipline has two distinct features that differ from other disciplines.
First, psychology uses scientific tools to evaluate and study human and nonhuman behavior.
Second, psychology uses scientifically based applications based on conducted studies. Moreover,
the central defining characteristic of psychology consists of possessing a data-based scientific
study on behavior. The diverse nature of psychology is clear and present in the 54 divisions, each
concentrating on a different perspective and aspect of human interaction, of the American
Psychological Association (APA), a diversity not seen in other sciences (Plante, 2011; Shiraev &
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Levy, 2010; Stanovich, 2010). The diversity within psychology influences major concepts as
well as contributes to different perspectives of behavior.
The Influence of Diversity on Psychology’s Major Concepts
Diversity uses an active impact on the major concepts of psychology. Much like in the
past, today there is not a perspective that explains all aspects of human behavior or mental
processes. Today, there are seven perspectives that include psychodynamic, behavioral,
humanistic, cognitive, sociocultural, biopsychological, and evolutionary. Each perspective
symbolizes a diverse assessment of human behavior as well as a unique explanation regarding
psychological problems. Furthermore, each of the major concepts in psychology underlines
various aspects of behavior. The major psychological concepts combined with the various
perspectives define and explain behavior based on the theories involved in each perspective.
Diversity in psychology lets psychologists obtain a broad range of speculation because behavior
cannot be justifiably limited to one explanation. Furthermore, diversity allows the major
concepts in psychology to be available to different cultural backgrounds.
Sub disciplines Clinical Psychology
Clinical psychology is a multifaceted field that corresponds to the difficulties of human
behavior and emotion. Clinical psychology is a unique function of psychology in the area of
behavioral and emotional issues (Plante, 2011). Clinical psychology can be defined as the
incorporation of science, theory, and practice as a way to comprehend, calculate, and improve
maladjustment, disability, and uneasiness along with to encourage human adaptation and
personal development (Belar, 2008). Clinical psychology attempts to comprehend the
associations between biological, psychological, and social factors that make individuals function.
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Moreover, clinical psychology concentrates on assessing, treating, and comprehending
psychological as well as behavioral issues and disorders in addition to the interaction among the
human psyche and the physical, emotional, and social characteristics of health and dysfunction
(Plante, 2011).
Psychopathology and abnormal behavior
Psychopathology involves characterizing, occurrence, and treatment of disorders (Kring,
Davison, Neale, & Johnson, 2007). Individuals who study psychopathology seek answers for the
reasons behind why individuals behave, think, or feel in ways considered abnormal. To define
abnormal behavior, one must consider the three critical reasons in which the context the behavior
occurs in. First, to identify whether or not behave is abnormal one must comprehend the context
surrounding the behavior (Hansell & Damour, 2008). Second, identifying the context assists in
comprehending and explaining the behavior (Hansell & Damour, 2008). Finally, the
demographic context in which the behavior occurs influences the behavior (Hansell & Damour,
2008).
Industrial-Organizational Psychology
Industrial-organizational (I/O) psychology involves two combined subfields of
psychology. The industrial psychology part is the original, older part that consists of a
management perspective on organizational efficiency by means of human resources (Spector,
2008). The industrial side of I/O involves job design, employee selection, and training as well as
performance appraisal. The organizational side concentrates on the employees as individuals
such as understanding employee behavior as well as the well-being of the employees (Spector,
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2008). I/O psychology is an evidence-based field and relates to the growth and use of scientific
principles within workplaces. I/O psychologists conduct job analysis, employee surveys, design
performance appraisals, design systems for selecting employees, and design training programs
(Spector, 2008).
Workplace diversity and employee motivation
Workforce diversity involves the existence of human characteristics that combine
differentiate each individual. Work diversity consists of differences in demographics of
individuals of a workforce, for example, gender, race, ethnicity, and age (Schermerhorn, Hunt, &
Osborn, 2004; Schermerhorn, Hunt, & Osborn, 2008). When a workforce becomes more diverse,
providing ways in which the diversity is managed becomes more important because there is an
increased probability of stereotyping and discrimination. Employee motivation refers to the ways
in which an employee’s individual’s intensity, direction, and persistence are used as a way to
achieve a goal (Robbins & Judge, 2009).
Disciplines of Psychology and Contemporary Society
The theories involved in psychology can be applied to different disciplines. Psychology is
a discipline that can be applied in other areas because psychology interconnects the areas of
science, behavior, and mental processes as well as in other areas. Clinical psychology uses
evidence-based approaches as a way to comprehend and explain issues associated with human
behavior. Clinical psychology involves the intellectual, emotional, biological, psychological,
social, and behavioral areas of human functioning throughout an individual’s life span resulting
in frequent interactions with other health care professionals to diagnose and treat disorders
(Morgan & Cohen, 2008; Belar, 2008).
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I/O psychology is a field that uses the same concepts, ideas, techniques, and theories used
in other disciplines (Spector, 2008). For example, the historical basis of I/O derives from
experimental psychology. I/O also is influenced by other disciplines such as industrial
engineering, management, social psychology, philosophy, business ethics, anthropology, and
sociology (Spector, 2008; van Vuuren, 2010).
Theoretical Perspective
In the process of learning the different theoretical perspectives in psychology, the author
does not identify with one particular perspective because the author does not believe that one
particular perspective explains human behavior. The psychodynamic perspective argues
intrapsychic drives, motives, conflicts, and impulses influence human behavior; ego defense
mechanisms are used as a way to deal with unresolved conflicts, needs, wishes, or fantasies
contributing in behavior; early experiences are critical in psychological development and
behavior; acknowledging and working through unconscious influences assist in improving
psychological functioning and behavior; and transferential relationship assists in solving
conflicts, improving psychological functioning, and behavior (Plante, 2011).
The cognitive-behavioral perspective involves overt and covert behaviors obtained
through learning and conditioning within social environment. The cognitive-behavioral
perspective includes operant conditioning, classical conditioning, social learning, and
acknowledgement of theories to assist as well as treat disorders (Plante, 2011). I/O psychologists
use cognitive-behavioral perspectives when dealing with workplace performance and employee
motivation. The humanistic perspective focuses on individual perception and experience. I/O
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psychologists use the humanistic perspective when dealing with employee testing, workplace
diversity, workplace performance, and employee motivation. When the clinical psychologist uses
a humanistic approach, he or she helps patients by understanding the concerns, feelings, and the
abnormal behavior through the patient (Plante, 2011). Finally, the family system perspective
focuses on improved communication with families instead of just the patient experiencing the
abnormal behavior.
Psychological Contribution to Society
At this point, the author has little psychological contributions to society. However, the
author has used the knowledge she has gained throughout her education to identify specific
psychological contributions from others. For instance, the author can identify that when filling
out a job application or doing a job interview, she was involved in a process created by I/O
psychologists. The author has also been able to use the processes a therapist or counselor uses
when treating abnormal behavior to listen and communicate with friends and family.
Conclusion
Essentially, psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes.
Psychology is divided into several subfields with each subfield focusing on a specific area of
psychological functioning. Two subfields of psychology include clinical psychology and
industrial/organizational psychology. Without diversity, psychologists would be limited in
knowledge that is considered universal as well as limiting particular behavioral factors that
influence human functioning.
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