Explore the major underlying assumptions of a biopsychology approach. The major underlying assumption held by biological psychologists is the organic basis to mental processes and how the processes are represented in the brain. Additionally biopsychologists make use of discussions and prescriptions for treatments (Biomedicine, 2008). The biological approach in psychology focuses more on the individual and the genetic makeup than the environmental influence on the individual. Looking at genetics and inheritance from the biological parents is more important to the biopsychologists than upbringing, neighborhoods, and socioeconomic background.
This is different from a conversational comment that someone has a great personality because theorist work at addressing the “what”, “how”, and “why” of personality. For example, individuals tend to formulate informal assessment of a person’s personality like the person is energetic, aggressive, or stubborn. Personality causes individuals to respond in certain ways as it influences their respond to the environment. Psychologists on the other hand, apply ideas of personality that can be applied to everyone. On a psychological view, personality is thought to be affected by biological processes and needs (Cervone & Pervin, 2010).
All definitions are correct in their own rights but as simple definitions can sometimes be misleading as through out history, Psychologists have not only disagreed about designation of psychology but what and how it should be studied. These approaches are often referred to as 'perspectives'. Each has a very different way of explaining human behaviour and makes different assumptions about the processes behind this behaviour. There are 5 major perspectives in Psychology offering different explanations as to why humans behave in the way they do. By comparing and contrasting two of these approaches the behaviourist and the biological approach it will highlight the different aspects to each approach.
Biological psychology, also known as “biopsychology is the scientific study of the biology of behavior” (Pinel, 2009). Biological psychology covers how a person may act if they are suffering from another problem that could possibly be psychological. The human brain has several different sections that if one is not working properly it could cause several changes in a person’s behavior. This subject compares and contrast’s the between humans and non-human brain’s and behaviors. Biopsychology is still a very new compared to several other areas of psychology, but it is developing quickly.
In analyzing as well as comparing the humanistic and biological approaches to personality one can result to difference in opinions. Abraham Maslow did study the development of personalities based on the human needs. His needs hierarchy portrays the influence of human needs to formations of peoples’ unique and individual personalities. There are some biological factors which does influence formation of one’s personality which usually plays a major role. Through reviewing the relationships that are there between Maslow’s theory and biological factors we will be in a position to see some focused similarities as well as its upcoming.
Finally, the theoretical models of the development of abnormal psychology such as biological, medical, sociocultural and psychosocial are all-encompassing to conclude this paper. In order to comprehend abnormal psychology, it is imperative to first recognize what we mean by the word "abnormal." Abnormal behavior usually occurs when people experience distress and prevents functioning throughout their daily lives. Although there are many definitions that come from the average or normal person, most of them have their disadvantages and advantages in relation to determination of abnormal psychology perspectives. Abnormality considers a person or people that deviate from the ideal or cultural standards of society.
Is a person exhibiting maladaptive behavior due to something genetic; or is it something neurological; something gone awry in the brain cells? The Biological Perspective considers and strives to answer these and similar questions Psycho-dynamic Perspective holds that our thoughts and emotions provoke our mood and influence our behavior. Psychoanalysis is the method of approach taken by reach people who are deeply disturbed. This method challenges the patient to release repressed emotions and to search for the meaning behind his/her Theories 3 way of thinking. The environment in which we find ourselves plays a very big part in how we
What is Biopsychology and Brain Plasticity? In General Psychology, there are 5 distinct main approaches which include Psychoanalysis, Humanistic Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Behaviorism, and Biopsychology. Among these 5 approaches, Biopsychology touches the most on the effects of the internal parts of the human body, which include the nervous systems and neurotransmitters, on human behaviour, thinking, and emotions. It is basically a combination of neuroscience and psychology. To better understand Biopsychology, one has to learn about the three most crucial parts, which are the brain, neurotransmitters, and the nervous system.
This essay will also outline the Biological and Psychodynamic perspective in detail and also compare and contrast the two perspectives as well as highlighting the major strengths and weakness of each. The Biological perspective believes human and animal behaviour is the result of internal physical chemical and biological processes. Biology is the defined as the study of life (from the Greek bios meaning ‘life’ and logos meaning ‘study’). A Biological perspective is relevant to the study of psychology in three ways (Comparative method, physiology and investigation of inheritance). Firstly the Comparative method different species of animal can be studied and compared.
The biological Level of Analysis views humans as biological organisms. It focuses on the brain (nervous system), endocrine system and the genes. Biopsychologists adopt a reductionistic approach that is explaining complex phenomena by breaking it down to smaller and simpler parts (parsimony). Even though Biopsychologists focus on the biological aspects of behavior they do not rule out the environment and thus this relationship is called bidirectional. However, studying the humans as biological organisms would not be able if it wasn’t for technological advances.