An analysis of psychology theories Homework Help

An analysis of psychology theories

Cognitive theory

This theory which is part of learning theory attempts to explain the human behavior through the understanding of the processes of thought. It assumes that humans are essentially logical beings that make the most sensible choices to them(Dudley, 1999). The mind performs informational processing which sometimes is equated to a computer so as to make a decision. The theory focuses on the thoughts of individuals in order to determine their emotions and behaviors therefore; it becomes important to change the thoughts and believes of people so as to change their behavior. This theory can be used to treat erroneous behavior through cognitive reframing techniques. An example of application could be the treatment of phobias and other psychological disorders(Gick, 2003).

Evolutionary psychology theory

This is a theory concerning human behavior and seeks to incorporate the effects of evolution. The presumption is that the most successful solution to problems people face are later inculcated into the basic instincts that later happen naturally without thinking about them. The instincts are later attuned by family, and culture(Nicholson, 1997).  An example is the learning of language that every human being has the ability to learn but the society is the one that shapes ones language. An example of an instinct is the fear of snakes or spiders that later developed into an instinctive human reaction(Cosmides&Tooby, 2004).

Humanistic psychological theory

The humanistic psychology believes that humans are basically good and respect each other. The theory is rooted in the notion of acceptance and understanding of an individual’s responsibility and existence. CarlRogersand Abraham Maslow set the way to understanding an individual’s personality and improving the satisfaction of individuals. This theory has some basic principles and beliefs that include; the present is more important than the future and the past of an individual therefore the humanists focuses on the present (Goldberg, 2000).  Also, humans do possess an underlying worth that can never be negated by his deeds whether good or bad. Life’s goal should always aim to the achievement of understanding and personal growth as this is the source of true happiness and lastly the theory is based on the present reality and that people should take responsibility of their actions for them to be psychologically healthy.  Maslow developed the hierarchy of needs to summarize humanistic psychology belief system. People can be able to place themselves on the hierarchy therefore are able to work to attain a higher level of satisfaction (Wilson& Susan, 2008).

The similarities and differences of the three theories

The three theories have a presumption of the human being possess some innate characteristic (unlike tabula rasa) that influences their actions and behavior. In the evolutionary theory they call it the basic instincts, while cognitive theory calls it logical behavior and the humanistic theory terms them as basic goodness of humans (Sweller, 2009).  However, the differences of these theories include that humanistic theory is driven by motivations that are in the present and this affects a person’s behavior and reactions. The evolutionary theory looks at our culture as the source of our problems and seeks to change this by using truths(Cosmides&Tooby, 2004).

The contribution of humanistic theory helps to understand and underpin the motivations of behavior while at the same time treating the person as human despite their deeds (Wilson& Susan, 2008). The cognitive theory comes in to explain the thought processes that affect human behavior which enables the psychiatrist to use processes and techniques to modify behavior. In the evolutionary psychology helps in tracing the origins of behavior in an individual be it cultural, personal traits or from family(Nicholson, 1997).

References

Dudley, R. T. (1999). Behaviorism and cognitivism in learning theory: Whatever happened to neobehaviorism? North American Journal of Psychology, 1(1), 1-3. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/89215277?accountid=45049; http://search.epnet.com?ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&ctx_enc=info:ofi/enc:UTF-8&rfr_id=info:sid/ProQ%3Aabiglobal&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:journal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=North+American+Journal+of+Psychology&rft.atitle=Behaviorism+and+Cognitivism+in+Learning+Theory%3A+Whatever+Happened+to+Neobehaviorism%3F&rft.au=Dudley%2C+R+Thomas&rft.aulast=Dudley&rft.aufirst=R&rft.date=1999-01-01&rft.volume=1&rft.issue=1&rft.spage=1&rft.isbn=&rft.btitle=&rft.title=North+American+Journal+of+Psychology&rft.issn=15277143; http://www.emeraldinsight.com?genre=article&sid=ProQ:&atitle=Behaviorism+and+Cognitivism+in+Learning+Theory%3A+Whatever+Happened+to+Neobehaviorism%3F&title=North+American+Journal+of+Psychology&issn=15277143&date=1999-01-01&volume=1&issue=1&spage=1&author=Dudley%2C+R+Thomas

Gick, E. (2003). Cognitive theory and moral behavior: The contribution of F. A. hayek to business ethics. Journal of Business Ethics, 45(1), 165-165. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/198028542?accountid=45049; http://search.epnet.com?ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&ctx_enc=info:ofi/enc:UTF-8&rfr_id=info:sid/ProQ%3Aabiglobal&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:journal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Journal+of+Business+Ethics&rft.atitle=Cognitive+theory+and+moral+behavior%3A+The+contribution+of+F.+A.+Hayek+to+business+ethics%3A+JBE&rft.au=Gick%2C+Evelyn&rft.aulast=Gick&rft.aufirst=Evelyn&rft.date=2003-06-01&rft.volume=45&rft.issue=1%2F2&rft.spage=165&rft.isbn=&rft.btitle=&rft.title=Journal+of+Business+Ethics&rft.issn=01674544; http://www.emeraldinsight.com?genre=article&sid=ProQ:&atitle=Cognitive+theory+and+moral+behavior%3A+The+contribution+of+F.+A.+Hayek+to+business+ethics&title=Journal+of+Business+Ethics&issn=01674544&date=2003-06-01&volume=45&issue=1%2F2&spage=165&author=Gick%2C+Evelyn

Cosmides, L., &Tooby, J. (2004). Knowing thyself: The evolutionary psychology of moral reasoning and moral sentiments.Ruffin Series in Business Ethics, , 93-128. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/192330782?accountid=45049; http://search.epnet.com?ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&ctx_enc=info:ofi/enc:UTF-8&rfr_id=info:sid/ProQ%3Aabiglobal&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:journal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Ruffin+Series+in+Business+Ethics&rft.atitle=KNOWING+THYSELF%3A+THE+EVOLUTIONARY+PSYCHOLOGY+OF+MORAL+REASONING+AND+MORAL+SENTIMENTS&rft.au=Cosmides%2C+Leda%3BTooby%2C+John&rft.aulast=Cosmides&rft.aufirst=Leda&rft.date=2004-01-01&rft.volume=&rft.issue=&rft.spage=93&rft.isbn=&rft.btitle=&rft.title=Ruffin+Series+in+Business+Ethics&rft.issn=; http://www.emeraldinsight.com?genre=article&sid=ProQ:&atitle=KNOWING+THYSELF%3A+THE+EVOLUTIONARY+PSYCHOLOGY+OF+MORAL+REASONING+AND+MORAL+SENTIMENTS&title=Ruffin+Series+in+Business+Ethics&issn=&date=2004-01-01&volume=&issue=&spage=93&author=Cosmides%2C+Leda%3BTooby%2C+John

Goldberg, C. (2000). A humanistic psychology for the new millennium. The Journal of Psychology, 134(6), 677-82. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/213837707?accountid=45049; http://search.epnet.com?ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&ctx_enc=info:ofi/enc:UTF-8&rfr_id=info:sid/ProQ%3Aabiglobal&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:journal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Journal+of+Psychology&rft.atitle=A+humanistic+psychology+for+the+new+millennium&rft.au=Goldberg%2C+Carl&rft.aulast=Goldberg&rft.aufirst=Carl&rft.date=2000-11-01&rft.volume=134&rft.issue=6&rft.spage=677&rft.isbn=&rft.btitle=&rft.title=The+Journal+of+Psychology&rft.issn=00223980; http://www.emeraldinsight.com?genre=article&sid=ProQ:&atitle=A+humanistic+psychology+for+the+new+millennium&title=The+Journal+of+Psychology&issn=00223980&date=2000-11-01&volume=134&issue=6&spage=677&author=Goldberg%2C+Carl

Nicholson, N. (1997). Evolutionary psychology: Toward a new view of human nature and organizational society. Human Relations, 50(9), 1053-1078. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/231471046?accountid=45049; http://search.epnet.com?ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&ctx_enc=info:ofi/enc:UTF-8&rfr_id=info:sid/ProQ%3Aabiglobal&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:journal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Human+Relations&rft.atitle=Evolutionary+psychology%3A+Toward+a+new+view+of+human+nature+and+organizational+society&rft.au=Nicholson%2C+Nigel&rft.aulast=Nicholson&rft.aufirst=Nigel&rft.date=1997-09-01&rft.volume=50&rft.issue=9&rft.spage=1053&rft.isbn=&rft.btitle=&rft.title=Human+Relations&rft.issn=00187267

Sweller, J. (2009). The many faces of cognitive load theory. T + D, 63(8), 22-22. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/227021744?accountid=45049; http://search.epnet.com?ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&ctx_enc=info:ofi/enc:UTF-8&rfr_id=info:sid/ProQ%3Aabiglobal&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:journal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=T+%2B+D&rft.atitle=The+Many+Faces+of+Cognitive+Load+Theory&rft.au=Sweller%2C+John&rft.aulast=Sweller&rft.aufirst=John&rft.date=2009-08-01&rft.volume=63&rft.issue=8&rft.spage=22&rft.isbn=&rft.btitle=&rft.title=T+%2B+D&rft.issn=10559760; http://www.emeraldinsight.com?genre=article&sid=ProQ:&atitle=The+Many+Faces+of+Cognitive+Load+Theory&title=T+%2B+D&issn=10559760&date=2009-08-01&volume=63&issue=8&spage=22&author=Sweller%2C+John

Wilson, I., & Susan, R. M. (2008). The influence of maslow’s humanistic views on an employee’s motivation to learn. Journal of Applied Management and Entrepreneurship, 13(2), 46-62. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/203897252?accountid=45049; http://search.epnet.com?ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&ctx_enc=info:ofi/enc:UTF-8&rfr_id=info:sid/ProQ%3Aabiglobal&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:journal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Journal+of+Applied+Management+and+Entrepreneurship&rft.atitle=The+Influence+of+Maslow%27s+Humanistic+Views+on+an+Employee%27s+Motivation+to+Learn&rft.au=Wilson%2C+Ian%3BMadsen%2C+Susan+R&rft.aulast=Wilson&rft.aufirst=Ian&rft.date=2008-04-01&rft.volume=13&rft.issue=2&rft.spage=46&rft.isbn=&rft.btitle=&rft.title=Journal+of+Applied+Management+and+Entrepreneurship&rft.issn=10771158; http://www.emeraldinsight.com?genre=article&sid=ProQ:&atitle=The+Influence+of+Maslow%27s+Humanistic+Views+on+an+Employee%27s+Motivation+to+Learn&title=Journal+of+Applied+Management+and+Entrepreneurship&issn=10771158&date=2008-04-01&volume=13&issue=2&spage=46&author=Wilson%2C+Ian%3BMadsen%2C+Susan+R

Place an order with us forthis or a related topic