The Diverse Nature of Psychology

Abstract

Psychology is a science that provides an opportunity for psychologists to carry out studies on various processes relating to personality, emotions, thinking, motivations, perception and interactions between individuals. The diverse nature of psychology enables scientists to understand such issues as mental illness and child development. This paper determines the influence of diversity on the major concepts of psychology. It also identifies at least two sub-disciplines and subtopics within the field of psychology and determines how they can be used in other disciplines and venues in the society. 

Introduction

Psychology is a discipline that involves the study of the functions of human mind and how they affect the behavior of an individual (McLeod, 2011). It is closely related to other sciences like linguistics, anthropology, biology, medicine and sociology among other. Psychology is a science whose advancement has occurred for over 150 years ago when early psychologists used theoretical perspectives to understand the relationship between the mind and behavior (McLeod, 2011). It evolved from a philosophical root linked to great thinkers like Descartes, Plato, and Aristotle. Some of the individuals that helped in enhancing the evolution of psychology include Carl Jung, Sigmund Freud, and Alfred Alder. Further advancement in this field is attributed to individuals like John Watson, Ivan Parlov, and Wilhelm Wundt. Their emphasis, mostly, was to assess the causes of certain behavior and determine the mental processes involved. This emphasis eventually influenced the contemporary psychology. As it is impossible to physically see the memories, perceptions, thoughts, emotions and cognitive functions of the human brain, scientists use experiments to investigate and confirm difference theories and expectations (Nordqvist, 2015). Psychologists, in this case, use the human behavior as raw data in their experiments to determine the functions of the mind. 

Influence of diversity on psychology’s major concepts 

The different approaches include cognitive, humanistic, psychodynamic, behavioral and biological perspectives. These are the major concepts that guide research on modern psychology.

Major concepts

The biological concept of psychology argues that the thoughts, feelings, and behaviors of human beings occur as a result of physiological factors. Using the biological approach, psychologists seek to study how hormones, genetic make-up and nervous system affect how people behave. For example, an individual can present a violent behavior due to physical conditions like the brain tumor or injury. As biological psychologists put it, people think the way they do due to the needs of their bodies or their brains are built. 

Pioneered by Sigmund Freud, the psychodynamic concept of psychology holds that sex drives most people’s impulses. Proponents of this perspective argue that the insentient drives and past experiences from childhood are embedded on behaviors. This means that how an individual behaves while at adulthood, may signify who he or she was during childhood. Conflicts may arise when societal forces restrict these urges. The behavioral concept argues that external environmental factors have a significant influence on how people think or behave. Behavioral psychologists posit that people learn through systems of punishment and reinforcements. An example of one area where behavioral approaches are used is child development. For instance, parents can train their children to act in a certain way by giving gifts for right doing or punishing them for wrong doing. 

According to the cognitive concept of psychology, people’s behaviors are shaped by their emotions and expectations. Famous cognitive psychologists like Jean Piaget argue that one is likely to solve a problem based on his or her past experiences. The humanistic approach to psychology holds that people become motivated by realizing their full potential in doing something important in their lives. More specifically, concept argues that people are likely to feel good about themselves when they manage to fulfill their needs. It is important to note that all the above concepts do not have a significant influence not only on how people behave but also on the psychology’s diversity.

Influence of diversity

Psychology’s diverse nature is evident given that the five concepts of psychology present different views and arguments concerning human behavior. The diversity of people’s perception is also evident through the varying approaches to psychology. Diversity in the field of psychology is as a result of such factors as environment, culture, age, religion, race and gender. The truth is, people are likely to behave or think a certain way not only because of how they feel but also because of influence by culture, religion or age. For instance, there are some cultures which display emotions while others do not. Likewise, some religions have systems and rules that people must follow, while other religions do not have such systems. Given this, it would be reasonable to argue that there is a correlation between an individual’s background and his or her behavior. The diverse nature of psychology helps psychologists to think widely when carrying out studies on human behavior. However, there is a lack of unification in explaining or understanding human behavior and researchers in the field of psychology continue to dispute over theories and ideas. For this reason, psychology is one of the sciences that will continue to receive criticism.

Sub-disciplines and subtopics in psychology

According to the American Psychological Association (2010), the term “sub-discipline” refers to an area of study which is under a broader field. Psychology is a broad science that has various sub-disciplines with theories that contain several subtopics. The different sub-disciplines of psychology include personality, intelligence, common sense, behavior and motivation (American Psychological Association, 2010). Determining a psychology sub-discipline and the subtopics within it is important as it helps in explaining the reasoning for a particular behavior. This section will discuss the sub-disciplines of motivation and cognition.

Motivational psychology is a sub-discipline that creates an understanding as to why people behave in a particular way or manner. In psychological terms, a motive is a triggering factor that influences an individual to act in a certain way so that he or she can achieve satisfaction. It is important to note that motivational forces vary individually. Subtopics grouped under motivational psychology include the theory of emotion and theory of approach and avoidance. The theory of emotions holds that human bodies have distinctive psychological responses that are connected to the emotions. For example, when one is aroused to do something, he or she will be motivated to respond to that arousal by acting. Theory of approach and avoidance focuses on explaining how emotions trigger positive and negative stimuli. For instance, when people experience any negative stimuli, they are likely to take caution just to avoid experiencing such kind of stimuli again. Likewise, people are likely to repeat certain behaviors if they experience positive stimuli.

Cognition Psychology seeks to investigate people’s mental processes. It is an important sub-discipline as it enables psychologists to determine whether or not memories are false. Subtopics within this sub-discipline include false memories and cognitive dissonance. False memories occur when the human brain tries to remember things or incidence that do not exist or that did not occur. Cognitive dissonance, on the other hand, occurs when there is a lack of correspondence between what has occurred and what was expected to happen.

Application of sub-disciplines in contemporary society

In the contemporary society, the sub-disciplines of cognition and motivation can be applied to other disciplines like abnormal psychology, social psychology, clinical psychology and developmental psychology. Cognition and emotions are part of human life and so, can be used to in other disciplines to explain human behavior. 

Theoretical perspective

One theoretical perspective that is related to the sub-discipline of cognition psychology is cognitive-behavioral perspective. This perspective argues that people’s behaviors are influenced by their thoughts and vice versa (Plante, 2011).Another theoretical perspective related to the sub-discipline of motivational psychology is the motivational perspective. This perspective holds that people’s desire towards something not only creates their behavior but also develop their personality. 

Psychological contribution to society

I have made major psychological contributions to the society in such areas as health, leisure, work and education. With my knowledge and expertise in psychology, I have educated many educators on understanding the behaviors of their students. As an intern, I have worked with one organization whose mandate is to assist victims of traumatic incidences to recover. Dealing with their problems has enabled me to understand how such factors as external environmental stimuli influence human behavior. After completing my Master’s Degree in Psychology, I hope to work in a healthcare facility as a clinical psychologist where I can use procedures like psychotherapy to address the needs of victims who have psychological disorders. 

References

American Psychological Association. (2010). Divisions of APA . Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/about/division/index.aspx

McLeod, S. (2011). What is Psychology ? Retrieved from http://www.simplypsychology.org/whatispsychology.html  

Nordqvist, C. (2015, August 14). What is psychology? What are the branches of psychology? Retrieved from http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/154874.php  

Plante, T. G. (2011). Contemporary clinical psychology. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons