The human mind is a very complex organ. It is for this reason that some scholars have spent years doing research on this topic to try and understand how the mind operates and how these functions affect the behavior of an individual. In other words, this is referred to as psychology. For many years, psychology was not considered as a real science. However, in essence, the study of the human mind is very much a science. Psychologists link the behavior of an individual to their mental operations that include the cognitive, emotional, motivational and intellectual. All these make up the personality of an individual. The study of the human mind first started in Germany in 1879 as an independent field. Later, it was adopted in the United States. From there, many other countries took to studying psychology ( Stevens & Wedding, 2005). This essay seeks to discuss detail the study of psychology in France and how it is influenced by other countries.
The field of psychology was introduced by Theodule Ribot in France. Before then, the field had faced many oppositions from philosophers especially as a natural science. Academic philosophy was in the hands of spiritualists schools and they controlled everything regarding the study. However, after the fall of King Napoleon III, new paths begun to open up and the likes of Ribot found their way into making psychology a serious study in France. Ribot took his time to write books on psychology that are used as an inspiration and motivation to the new crop of aspiring psychologists of modern day France. He specifically majored in psychopathology which is the study of mental disorders in individuals. Today, France is well known for specializing is psychopathology ( Bernaud, Cohen-Scali & Guichard, 2007).
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The study of Psychology in France has been greatly influenced by Germany. Were it not for Germany, the field would still be dominated by philosophers who believed it not to be a real science. Generally, the influence of the study of human psychology has been influenced by the Germans. Later, most German psychologists moved to the United States and expanded the study. In addition, Europe is made up of many countries speaking different languages. The diversity of Europe also influenced the different approaches and methods used in the study of psychology ( Kitayama, & Cohen, 2010). As expected, different psychologists differ in their approach to the study. For instance, the Germans were more concerned about the outward behavior of an individual. The Americans found it more extensive to venture into the mind of the individuals. This approach was adopted by the French in their study of psychopathology.
The field of psychology can be categorized into two. There is the basic or research psychology and the applied psychology ( Bernaud, Cohen-Scali & Guichard, 2007). Under the research psychology, the aim is to conduct scientific experiments and observation on participant in order to monitor their mental health and behaviorism. These psychologists do not treat patients. However, they educate the public and patients on certain behaviors and what influences these behaviors. On the other hand, applied psychology incorporates theories that help patients with mental illnesses resolve or cope with their disorders and mental distress. These two categories complement each other such that the experimental psychologists come up with theories behind a certain behavior while the applied psychologists use these theories to treat their patients. Therefore, both categories are relevant to the discipline. Conducting experiments should be extensive in order to help applied psychologists diagnose a disorder more accurately.
The discipline of psychology is important in understanding who people are and why they behave in a certain way. It helps improve on the interpersonal skills of people that are essential in a social context and event in employment. Psychology aids in the development process of an individual and helping them understand their interests better. In addition, it enables individuals to be more aware of how the mind and the body work together, thus enhancing their decision-making skills, as explained by Stevens, & Wedding, (2005). There are many sub-categories of psychology. These include education, sports, business, media and physical conditions. In France, more emphasis has been put on education or school psychology. After many years of fighting to have the discipline taken seriously, it has finally been incorporated in the school curriculum. Students are examined from a tender age thus improving on their overall development and discerning any kind of disorders at an early stage. This makes the French psychologist more efficient in their practice ( Heine, 2012) .
It also took time before psychology was considered as a profession in France. Between 1980 and 1990, the national coalition of psychologists’ organizations in France put their best foot forward to have the government recognize the discipline from a professional angle. Their efforts were not in vain as a law was passed to make the discipline professional. However, the term was only limited to individuals who had attained a university degree and a minimum of five years academic program. Even so, there still exists a huge gap between the number of professional psychologists and the population at large ( Kitayama, & Cohen, 2010) . Given that the country holds the highest number of psychology institutions, it is questionable as to why there are many students studying the discipline and only a few practicing. This means that the French society of psychology has still not succeeded in subsuming all its students.
As stated earlier, in order to become a professional psychologist in France, one needs to complete a five-year program in the university first. This is later accompanied by a short internship and a two-year master’s degree program. The commission of psychologists in France is responsible for ensuring any practicing psychologists has met these requirements. Failure of having the requirements is punishable by law. There also exists a code of ethics that must be adhered to while practicing psychology in France. In addition, there are five major theoretical orientations in psychology. These include the behavioral theory, cognitive theory, psychodynamic theory, humanistic theory and integrative therapy ( Fiske, Schacter & Sternberg, 2010). All these approached are relevant in the study of how the human mind operates. However, it has been noted that in France, the most outstanding approach is the cognitive theory. This theory focuses on the present behavioral orientation of an individual and helps in determining a number of mental disorders.
Currently, one of the major trends of research in psychology is placing emphasis on the context of a behavior. French psychologists claim that some emotions are dependent on a particular situation and do not necessarily need to raise alarm. Both positive and negative emotions are geared towards achieving the most effective outcomes in a given situation. The ultimate goal of studying the human mind and behavior is to enable human beings to express themselves in an appropriate manner.
References
Bernaud, J., Cohen-Scali, V & Guichard, J. (2007). Counseling Psychology in France: A Paradoxical Situation. Applied Psychology, 56(1), 131-151. doi:10.1111/j.1464-0597.2007.00281.x
Fiske, S. T., Schacter, D. L., & Sternberg, R. J. (2010). Annual Review of Psychology (61 st ed.). Annual Reviews.
Heine, S. J. (2012). Cultural Psychology . W W Norton & Co Inc.
Kitayama, S., & Cohen, D. (2010). Handbook of cultural psychology . Guilford Press.
Stevens, M. J., & Wedding, D. (2005). The handbook of international psychology . Routledge.
