Behavioral Approach example essay topic

As described, there are 10 different perspectives of early psychology. These perspectives are: Structuralism, functionalism, Gestalt psychology, Behavioral, psycho dynamic, humanistic, physiological, evolutionary, cognitive, and cultural and diversity. I will only be looking at three of these perspectives still in common use today here is a summary of each. The behavioral perspective 'focuses on the observable behaviors; thus it does not speculate about mental processes such as thinking. ' (Davis and Palladino, 2005). Unlike the other approaches, the behavioral perspective accentuates how it is important to learn and understand and doesn't focus on co conscious. B.F. Skinner, a well known psychologist, was a strong advocate of this thinking.

He has since been called the 'greatest contemporary psychologist' (Fowler, 1990). Skinner basically took an easy angle on his methods. 'Behavior changes as a result of consequences (Bjork, D.W., 1997). When it comes down to it, Skinner teaches basic skills. When applying this type of psychology to young children you will see immediate results and these can be long standing results. However, in young children, this method will not give the parent ay idea of the motivations or thoughts behind that bad behavior.

Only reinforcing the correct behaviors will do nothing to help parents or teachers better understand the feelings of the child or the internal factors that have contributed to this behavior. Behaviorism works well in conjunction with the other theories below to help parents and teachers gain a more complete understanding of not only their children's behaviors but "why" they choose to behave in a certain way. The humanistic perspective 'emphasizes free will and an individual's control of their own behavior. This was more of a human approach to psychology which was to look at and study humans by the choices they make.

Laboratory specimens can not possibly equate to what a human can achieve deeming any laboratory experiment illogical. Instead of developing principals about their theories, they concluded that each individual is their own being. Humanistic psychologists believe in the inherent "good" nature of all people. The humanistic approach to psychology offers parents and teachers many ways to be non-judgmental when approaching children about incorrect or "bad" behaviors. Educator's and parents need to be very careful, in my opinion, when using only this approach with their children. Humanists will not label any behavior as "bad" or "wrong" but instead they will focus on the individuals right to choose what they will do or what decision they make on their own.

In schools today I believe we place to much emphasis on making the child feel they have done well no matter the level of work they have produced or the actions they have chosen to take. The humanistic approach can work well when trying to improve a child's self-esteem or cure shyness but, when a child is not told they are doing something wrong how will they then learn what is considered right and wrong in society? "We " ve got youngsters here now who... are under the authority of the school [and] are being persuaded that there is a better way, and that way is to make their own decisions. They " re being induced to make decisions about activities that the citizenry of the state have decided are wrong" (web) When used in conjunction with behaviorism and cognitive psychology a child will gain a much better understanding of their place in the world as well as what is expected of them in regards to behavior. "Many psychologists have accepted the cognitive perspective - where the focus is on how thought occurs, memory processes, and information storage and utilization - and currently conduct research in the area of cognitive processes. ' (Davis and Palladino, 2005) This focused more on the thinking remembering, and storing of information in the mind, unlike the behaviorists, who only focused on observational behaviors.

For about a 40 year period, there was no attention being paid to this area. George Miller and Jerome Bruner established the 'Center for cognitive Studies at Harvard University in 1960, and Ulrich Neisser published the book Cognitive Psychology in 1967' (Davis and Palladino, 2005). "Many educational psychologists found the behavioral approach unsatisfying and the humanistic approach to soft. Many cognitive psychologists propose that children actively construct knowledge and this construction of knowledge happens in a social context" (web) This approach to psychology offers teachers and parents several different views of how to get children to remember and apply the knowledge they have gained in any given situation. Instead of focusing on observable behaviors or feelings they can focus more on the actual thought process and use of memory in children. If we can understand how to make a child remember what he or she is doing is wrong or right then we have effectively teach them the "lesson" and they will apply it in the future to other situations.

In conclusion, and in my own opinion, I believe all of these, as well as the other theories used in psychology are not correct or incorrect. All of the current schools of thought have some basis in fact and some basis in belief. If parents and educators can learn how to apply the best aspects of each theory they will be able to raise a good functional adult. In younger children I have found the use of behaviorist's techniques will get real results when trying to curb bad behavior and teach the child to "choose" to do the right thing. When a child grows up a bit more their own internal dialogue plays more of a role in what they choose to do.

Using the humanistic approach to reinforce their own decision making can teach a child to make the correct decisions and also give a more positive view of those choices no matter what they are. At any age the cognitive approach can be used to help children learn to recall information they have been taught or apply that "lesson" we are trying to get across.

Bibliography

Bjork D.W. (1997) Allport: A Life in Washington D.
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Psychology: The core discipline. American Psychologist, 45, 1-6. Humanistic Psychology and Education. Don Clos son 1991 Probe Ministries International Retrieved 4 April 2005 from web Technology's Effect on Models of Instruction.
Judith Conway. May, 1997 Retrieved 4 April 2005 from web Kassin, B.
S., M.A., PhD, 'Psychology,' Microsoft (R) Encarta (R) Online Encyclopedia 2005 Retrieved 4 April 2005 from web Davis, Stephen F.
Palladino, Joseph J. (2005) Psychology, Research and You, Psychology Chapter 1.