Psychology is a science about how we think, feel, and behave. You may have thought about why you behave like this or why some people live their lives by partying while others choose to spend their time reading books and so on. Well, it is important for you to note that scientific studies about psychology started about 100 years ago, even though previous researchers have conducted studies on thought processes since the ancient Greeks.
Since Willhelm Wundt founded the first laboratory in 1879, psychologists have conducted studies about various aspects of human behaviour, such as personality, brain function, and its influence from sociocultural aspects. The development of this science also has answered questions about the scientific reasons for human behaviour in various perspectives, namely biological, psychodynamic, behavioural, cognitive, and humanistic.
Now, we are going to learn about each perspective of psychology according to the Kampus Psikologi site in an article written by Lita Aprillia, S.Psi as you are able to read below.
1. Biological Perspective
Biopsychologist examine how the nervous system, hormones, and genetics affect our behaviour. Researchers explore the relationship between mental states, brain structure, nerves, and hormones to find out how our thoughts, moods, and behaviours are formed.
So, according to the perspective in psychology according to biology, we are a compilation of parts that exist within us physically. We think in a certain way because of the functioning of the brain and the needs of the body. All of the choices that we make also depend on the biological conditions, so that it can affect learning styles, achievements, perceptions, and susceptibility to emotional disorders. Psychological approaches also understand thinking process and body conditions to conclude how diseases such as schizhophrenia can develop genetically.
2. Psychodynamic Perspective
Sigmund Freud promoted the psychodynamic approach where he believed that the impulses that we have are influenced by sexual drives. He also believed that unconscious impulses and experiences from early childhood or childhood are the root of human behaviour. So, when the impulse is inhibited by social boundaries, there will be conflicts.
The theory of Freud is often used as a joke and considered to have been left by the times. For example, people who blame their smoking habit is associated with oral fixation because of premature weaning in infancy. It is an example in the perspective of Freud’s psychology because it involves events that are experienced in childhood and it has an impact until adulthood.
3. Behaviouristic Perspective
Behavioral psychologists believe that stimuli from the environment influence our behaviour. One of the researchers who developed this theory is Skinner who does not believe in the existence of ‘free will’. He stated that our behaviour can be strengthened by reinforcement or reduced in intensity by punishment.
People who believe in behaviouristic ism do not involve thoughts or mental states to explain behavior, but they stick to the things that can be observed and measured directly. This theory can explain all activities in our life including why we follow the rules on the road when we drive and so on.
4. Cognitive Psychology Perspective
Psychology cognitive psychologists believe that our behaviour is determined by expectations and emotions. One of the cognitive psychologists, Jean Piaget, argued that we remember things based on what we already understand. We also solve problems with memory that we have from previous experiences. According to this theory, the human brain becomes the place to process mental activities such as remembering, making decisions, planning, setting goals, and building creativity.
The way you behave is based on each individual’s internal processing and different pressures. So, according to this cognitive perspective, the expectations you have for future experiences will influence how you feel and behave when you later experience them.
5. Humanistic Psychology Perspective
Humanistic psychologists believe that basically every human being is great and has motivation to develop their potential. This approach focuses on how you feel good about yourself by meeting needs and achieving goals. Carl Rogers who is a humanistic psychologist calls his patients “clients” and offers a supportive environment where clients can get an understanding about their feelings.
Humanistic perspective in psychology is centered on individual empowerment. However you are now whether you are good or bad, you have the opportunity to be the best version of yourself by developing your potential. All of the choices that you made are associated with the efforts to improve the quality of your life. For example, if you want to decrease your habit of staying up late, a humanistic therapist will support you without having to ask you directly to stop staying up late or trying to analyze why you often stay up late.
A bookworm and researcher especially related to law and citizenship education. I spend time every day in front of the internet and the campus library.
