Download 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.