Part I: Origins of Psychology
Psychoanalytic is a perspective of psychology that underpins the relevance of unconscious mind. Through this approach, proponents emphasize that past experiences inform behavior as the unconscious mind keeps the memory. Behaviorist approach in psychology lays emphasis on the perspective that the environment controls people's behavior. The major theme underpinned by this perspective is that people become who they are as a result of environmental factors. Humanist psychology denotes on the importance of a holistic understanding of a person. Therefore, this approach describes behavior from a personal and impersonal perspective of the individual. Cognitive approach is underpinned by the mental process that goes through the mind of a person. Through this point of view, an emphasis is laid on the knowledge acquisition process that the mind goes through which shapes behavior. Biopsychological Perspective denotes human behavior to be inherent from the human biology. Therefore, this approach allocates importance to understanding how the DNA influences human behavior. Evolutionary perspective takes the approach that the brain evolved from a solution of complex problems. Therefore the key theme of this perspective is that behavior is well understood through selective pressures that shape it. The sociocultural approach is a perspective used to explain the influences of the society to human behavior. This perspective underpins cultural factors and their part in the development of cognitive ability. Sigmund Freud is one of the most renowned psychologists with his perspective on the unconscious mind. He is celebrated for the significant contribution in the meadow of verbal psychoanalysis (Keller, &Schoenfeld, 2014).
Part II: Research Methods
Research methods used in psychology
| Method | Purpose | Strengths | Weaknesses | Example |
| Case Study | To investigate a case in intrinsic detail |
Provides a detailed investigation of a subject area. Offers acumen for further study. |
Time consuming Results are accurate to a group and cannot be universal. Replication is problematic. |
Little Hans Rat Man Case studies conducted by Sigmund Freud. |
| Naturalistic Observation | Behavior observation in the natural environment | Natural behavior is well captured with no interference. | Due to many variables in the study, the causation factors are difficult to identify. | How does culture influence the choice marriage spouses? |
| Suveys | Conducting a study over a large population size and area |
Representative data of a large population. Provides good statistical significance. Suitable data collection |
It’s not flexible. Not appropriate for controversial issues. |
What is the effect of media violence on the behavior of teenagers? |
| Longitudinal | Continued study of a subject matter as it evolves through time |
It's comprehensive in the data collected. Changes are monitored through time. Issues that would not be studied otherwise due to time constraints are focused upon. |
They are expensive to maintain. Participant may choose not to be involved overtime |
Studying the effect of single parenting to parent behavior of the single parent children. |
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Survey is a research methodology that aims at investigating a behavioral issue generalize to the whole population at a particular point in time. A calculated sample conducts the survey in the population that is representative of the entire population. The period is specified, and often it creates a snapshot of the behavioral issue in the study. Longitudinal research, on the other hand, involves a continuous study of a subject matter of an extended period. In some cases, the study may drag out for years and event several decades. The study is comprehensive and gradual as opposed to the survey.
Ethical issue related to research
An ethical issue that arises from research is the element of consent to conduct research on individuals. The researcher has asked for participant’s consent. This is important for the integrity of the data as well as consideration of the rights of the participants.
Part III: The Brain
Studying the functions and elements of the brain is essential to understanding human behavior.
Why psychologists study twins
The study of twins provides the opportunity to investigate the development of cognitive abilities of closely related individuals matched by their DNA. The study of adopted children is important as it provides insight of how new environment affects behavior. These studies are important in the study of development in cognitive behavior as well as environmental input in behavior development
The functions of neurotransmitters and hormones and how do they influence the brain and behavior
Neurotransmitters and hormones are intrinsic to the mental as well as physical health of a person. They are responsible for helping the brain balance feelings of an individual. Due to their intrinsic value in the communication of signals that regulate or balance feelings, they have an intrinsic role on how a person behaves and thinks under certain conditions.
References
Keller, F. S., & Schoenfeld, W. N. (2014). Principles of psychology: A systematic text in the science of behavior (Vol. 2). BF Skinner Foundation.
Mertens, D. M. (2014). Research and evaluation in education and psychology: Integrating diversity with quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods . Sage publications.
