Class Beh 221 3078 Intro To Behavioral Science

Class Beh 221 3078 Intro To Behavioral Science 3078 072017assignmen

Read and then respond to the following questions. Each response should be approximately 100–200 words. Explain how Behaviorism differed from the early schools of psychology (Structuralism, Functionalism, Gestalt psychology, and Psychodynamic Psychology). Briefly compare and contrast three theoretical approaches in psychology, identifying features that are similar or different (Psychodynamic, Behaviorist, Humanism, Cognitive Theory, Evolutionary Theory).

Paper For Above instruction

Behaviorism emerged as a reaction to the early schools of psychology, diverging notably from Structuralism, Functionalism, Gestalt psychology, and Psychodynamic Psychology in its focus and methodology. Structuralism, founded by Wilhelm Wundt and Edward Titchener, emphasized the analysis of conscious experience into its basic components through introspection, which was subjective and lacked scientific objectivity. Functionalism, influenced by William James, prioritized understanding the purpose or function of mental processes, emphasizing practical application and adaptation. Gestalt psychology, on the other hand, concentrated on perception and how individuals inherently organize sensory information into meaningful wholes, challenging the notion of isolating component parts. Psychodynamic psychology, rooted in Freud’s theories, explored unconscious motives, childhood experiences, and emotional conflicts, often emphasizing the importance of inner mental states. In contrast, Behaviorism, spearheaded by John Watson and B.F. Skinner, rejected introspection and the study of consciousness, instead focusing solely on observable behaviors and their environmental determinants. Behaviorism's reliance on empirical, measurable data marked a paradigm shift from the introspective and theoretical orientations of earlier schools.

When comparing three influential theoretical approaches—Psychodynamic, Behaviorist, and Humanist—distinct features and similarities emerge. Psychodynamic theory emphasizes unconscious processes, early childhood experiences, and internal conflicts as drivers of behavior (Freud, 1917). It posits that much of human behavior is motivated by hidden motives, often resistant to conscious awareness. Behavioral theory, by contrast, centers on observable behavior and external stimuli, focusing on learning through conditioning, as demonstrated in classical and operant conditioning paradigms (Skinner, 1953). It tends to dismiss internal mental states as scientific causes of behavior. Humanistic psychology emerged as a response to perceived limitations of both, emphasizing free will, personal growth, and self-actualization (Maslow, 1943). It highlights conscious experience and individual agency. While each approach differs greatly in focus—internal conflicts, observable stimuli, or personal growth—they all aim to understand human behavior but approach it from unique epistemological perspectives. Both Behaviorism and Humanism value empirical investigation, yet differ fundamentally in their assumptions about internal mental phenomena.

References

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• Skinner, B. F. (1953). Science and human behavior. Free Press.
• Wundt, W. (1879). Principles of physiological psychology. Engelmann.
• Watson, J. B. (1913). Psychology as the behaviorist views it. Psychological Review, 20(2), 158–177.
• James, W. (1890). The principles of psychology. Holt.
• Gestalt psychology. (2014). In E. B. Goldstein (Ed.), Cognitive Psychology (4th ed., pp. 245–249). Cengage Learning.
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• Rogers, C. R. (1961). On becoming a person. Houghton Mifflin.