Psychological Approaches: Theoretical Perspectives and Practical Applications

This report provides an analysis of the different theoretical approaches to psychology, including behavioral, psychodynamic, and biological approaches. It explores the implications, strengths, and weaknesses of each approach and discusses their practical applications in understanding and treating psychological issues. The report also highlights the similarities and differences between these approaches.

Psychological
Approaches

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
Theoretical Approaches of Psychology......................................................................................3
Similarities between behavioural approach, psychodynamic approach and biological
approaches...................................................................................................................................7
Differences between behavioural approach, psychodynamic approach and biological
approaches...................................................................................................................................8
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
Psychology can be defined as the study of the behaviour as well as mind and includes
various sub-fields like human development, social and clinical human behaviour. There are
various approaches in psychology and an approach can be defined as a perspective which
involves different assumptions about the human behaviour (Devasahayam, 2019). This can
include how they function, which aspects of them can be studied as well as the research methods
that are appropriate for the study. This report includes an analysis of the different theoretical
approaches to psychology along with their implications, strengths and weaknesses. Each of these
approaches provides a better understanding of human behaviour. Apart from this, there is also an
explanation of the practical applications of the approaches.
MAIN BODY
Theoretical Approaches of Psychology
When understanding the human behaviour, psychologists adopt for different approaches.
Different theoretical approaches or perspectives in psychology help in understanding the
different issues in the human behaviour. The different psychological perspectives are explained
below -
Behavioural Approach
The different behavioural psychologists believe that stimuli within the external
environment can influence the human behaviour and that humans can be trained to act in a

certain way. B.F. Skinner, a behavioural psychologist, believe in the concept of free will and that
humans learn through a system of reinforcements as well as punishments. Classical as well as
operant conditioning are two important concepts in behavioural psychology (Fowler and
Williams, 2017). The concept of classical conditioning involves associating a stimulus with an
involuntary response. On the other hand, operant conditioning involves associating a voluntary
behaviour along with a consequence. The behavioural approach of psychology was presented by
John B. Watson.
Implications for human behaviour
The implication of behavioural approach for human behaviour is that it is learned. It
states that all behaviours can be unlearned and in their place, new behaviours can be learned.
Behaviourism is primarily concerned with the measurable as well as observable aspects of the
human behaviour. Therefore, when a particular behaviour becomes unacceptable, it can be
unlearned.
Strengths and weaknesses of behavioural approach
one of the major strengths of this approach is that it has applied classical and operant
conditioning to its theories successfully. Also, the approach is based on the observable
behaviours of the human beings. The behavioural approach uses scientific research methods and
the reason for the same is that the experiments conducted are objective, observable and
measurable (Larkin, Goulet, and Cavanagh, 2015). On the other hand, weaknesses of behavioural
approach are that it suggests that all behaviours are learned but cognitive as well as biological
elements affect the behaviour (Hagen, 2018). Another weakness is that there are certain ethical
issues that have been raised due to using animals in the experiments.
Practical Applications
There are many experiments that have been conducted for understanding behaviour. For
example, one of the experiments conducted by Ivan Pavlov's to explain classical conditioning is
the dog's salivation cited as a conditioned response to the sound of a bell. The experiment was
that if the dog salivates to the sound of a bell, it may later salivate to a high pitched bell. Apart
from this, some of the most commonly used applications of the respective approach are
punishment, positive and negative reinforcement, self management and extinction (Jeevaratnam
and et.al., 2018). Therefore, it can be said that this particular approach of psychology mainly

focuses on how the external stimuli as well as the environment of a person affect their overall
mental state and train them for behaviours that they might exhibit later on in life.
Psychodynamic approach
It is a psychological theory formulated by Sigmund Freud so as to determine the origins
of human behaviour (Le and Truong, 2016). This approach is basically including all models and
concepts relating to human functioning that is based on interaction of various forces that are
existing within the individual, these forces are specifically unconscious and are divided into
different parts of personality.
Sigmund Freud devised a bunch of theories and models that are forming the base for this
specific approach. The original psychodynamic theory was the psychoanalysis theory of
Sigmund Freud. Latter includes various theories those are build on Freud's ideas. Various
followers of Freud have also contributed in this theory. To illustrate, Carl Jung, Melanie Klien,
Alfred Adler, Anna Freud and Erik Erikson,
According to Freud, the primary source that affects the human behaviour is unconscious
mind, this is a component which cannot be seen, but effects the human behaviour in intense
manner. This part of mind contains mental processes those are not accessed by the consciousness
of an individual but are influencing three major activities of a person, which are, judgements,
feelings and behaviour. In unconscious mind, major accidents are stored, such as, feelings,
motives and decisions that happened in past life.
Implications of psychodynamic theory on human behaviour
Human behaviour can be measured by this theory as it states that the events or incidents
those occurred in childhood of a person, have long lasting impact on their lives. This not only
impact the thought process but also contribute in shaping their personality (Mønster and et.al.,
2016). These events are residing in unconscious mind of a person but they create a problem for
adults in their future life. The personality is shaped according to the drivers that are moulded by
various conflicts at different times in their childhood. The id is the primitive and instinctive
component of personality. It consists of all the inherited (i.e., biological) components of
personality present at birth, including the sex (life) instinct – Eros (which contains the libido),
and the aggressive (death) instinct - Thanatos.
The ego develops in order to mediate between the unrealistic id and the external real
world. It is the decision making component of personality. The superego incorporates the values

and morals of society which are learned from one's parents and others.Parts of the unconscious
mind (the id and superego) are in constant conflict with the conscious part of the mind (the ego).
This conflict creates anxiety, which could be dealt with by the ego’s use of defence mechanisms.
Strengths and Weaknesses of psychodynamic theory
This theory has given rise to famous “talking cure” psychoanalysis which further formed
a base for various other psychological therapies (Moon and Lee, 2016). This theory was the first
approach which highlighted the importance of childhood in development of mental health and
this is the most adopted method in today's world where individual confronts various issues in
their childhood. Freud claimed that adult personality is the product of innate drives- i.e., natural
motivations or urges we are born with- and childhood experiences- i.e., the way we are raised
and nurtured.
Beyond above strengths, this approach is bounded by several limitations also. At the very
first point, biggest limitation is related with the ignorance that this approach has for mediational
processes. The psychodynamic approach places too much emphasis on the psychological factors,
without considering the biological/genetic factors that influence and contribute to mental health
problems. This approach is considered to be very deterministic and unfalsifiable. This approach
do not produce generalized results and are subjective to case studies. This approach is dividing
the human mind into three parts and this make the approach reductionist.
Practical applications of psychodynamic dynamic approach
This approach considers the unconscious mind as the most powerful influencer that
impacts the behavioural and emotional pattern of an individual. This approach assumes that no
behaviour is caused without any reason (Stipanuk and Caudill, 2018). This means that every
action done by an individual has some or other reason behind it. Another important point to be
noted is that childhood experience contributes in shaping the emotional and behaviour of these
persons becoming adults. Main three components affecting the building process of personality
are id, ego and super ego.
Biological Approach
This theoretical approach of psychology is also referred to as the psychological approach
and is based on the assumption that biological factors influence the behaviour as well as mental
well-being. This approach mainly focuses on the physical processes that occur in the central
nervous system of humans. This is the only approach that discusses the physical and biological

point of view to determine the psychology of a person. This approach has the belief that
psychology is the consequence of genetics and physiology (Jenke and Peer, 2018). This approach
investigates thoughts, feelings and behavioural pattern of person. Therefore, all that is
psychological is first physiological. All thoughts, feeling & behaviour ultimately have a
biological cause.
Implications for human behaviour
The implication of the biological approach for human behaviour is that it believes
humans to be a consequence of physiology and genetics. The biological approach is the only
physiological approach that evaluates the feelings, thoughts as well as behaviours from a
biological point of view.
Strengths and weaknesses of biological approach
The strengths of this approach are that it has helped psychologists in yielding useful
treatments for different psychological factors. Also, it provides the biological psychologists with
clear predictions. These can include effects of neurotransmitters or behaviours of different
people who are genetically related. Another strength of this approach is that it is very scientific.
The reason behind this is that the experiments that are used are measurable (Jenke and Peer,
2018). Also, it increases the overall likelihood of of being able to treat people who have an
abnormal behaviour. The weakness of this approach is that it usually fails to account various
other influences on the behaviour. The various factors that can play a role in the development of
psychological problems include social pressures, emotions, experiences in childhood etc.
Practical Applications
Advancements in technology have resulted in the practical applications of the biological
approach. It is widely used today in order to study the brain and nervous system. The various
tools such as MRI scans and PET can be referred to as the practical applications of biological
approach. They help the healthcare professionals in looking at the brain development, diseases,
drugs, damage impact behaviour etc. Another practical application of biological approach is that
drug therapy behaviour among individuals can be manipulated. This can be done by altering the
biochemistry of the individual in order to improve their overall health.
Similarities between behavioural approach, psychodynamic approach and biological approaches
The similarities between the psychodynamic and biological approach is that the
biological approach tries to understand behaviour in terms of biological responses. It ignores

social and psychological factors, whereas psychodynamic approach focuses on childhood and
unconsciousness. It can be said that both of these approaches are reductionist in nature (Compare
and Contrast the Biological and the Psychodynamic approaches, 2020). On the other hand,
similarities between behavioural and psychodynamic approaches is that both of them are
deterministic. This is because behavioural approach is based on the assumption that behaviour is
beyond the free will of an individual. Whereas psychodynamic theory believes that for things
that humans are not aware of, cannot be controlled.
Differences between behavioural approach, psychodynamic approach and biological approaches
Differences between the biological and psychodynamic approach are that the biological
approach only takes into account the nature part of the debate (Mønster and et.al., 2016). It can
be said that the nature of both these approaches is different from each other. Psychodynamic
approach is interactionist in nature because it takes both nature as well as the nurture into
account. Also, the biological approach is scientific whereas the latter one id non-scientific. Also,
it can be said that both of these approaches are beneficial for psychologists and have their own
importance.
CONCLUSION
From the above report, it can be concluded that there are different theoretical approaches
of psychology. These can include Different theoretical approaches or perspectives in psychology
help in understanding the different issues in the human behaviour. There are different strengths
as well as weaknesses of these approaches. Besides this, the approaches have helped the
psychologists in making effective decisions and understanding the behaviours of the humans in
more depth. There are various practical applications of these approaches along with real life
examples. These theories include biological, psychodynamic as well as behavioural approaches.

REFERENCES
Books & Journals
Devasahayam, S.R., 2019. Signals and Systems in Biomedical Engineering: Physiological
Systems Modeling and Signal Processing. Springer.
Fowler, M.A. and Williams, T.D., 2017. A physiological signature of the cost of reproduction
associated with parental care. The American Naturalist. 190(6). pp.762-773.
Hagen, J.B., 2018. The diving reflex and asphyxia: Working across species in physiological
ecology. History and philosophy of the life sciences. 40(1). p.18.
Jeevaratnam, K. and et.al., 2018. Cardiac potassium channels: physiological insights for targeted
therapy. Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 23(2). pp.119-
129.
Jenke, R. and Peer, A., 2018. A cognitive architecture for modeling emotion dynamics: Intensity
estimation from physiological signals. Cognitive Systems Research. 49. pp.128-141.
Larkin, K.T., Goulet, C. and Cavanagh, C., 2015. Forgiveness and physiological concomitants
and outcomes. In Forgiveness and Health (pp. 61-76). Springer, Dordrecht.
Le, T.B. and Truong, Q.B., 2016. Quick assessment of the invasiveness of non‐native plant
species by using eco‐physiological parameters in T ram C him N ational P ark, V
ietnam. Weed Biology and Management. 16(4). pp.177-185.
Mønster, D. and et.al., 2016. Physiological evidence of interpersonal dynamics in a cooperative
production task. Physiology & behavior. 156. pp.24-34.
Moon, S.E. and Lee, J.S., 2016. Implicit analysis of perceptual multimedia experience based on
physiological response: a review. IEEE Transactions on Multimedia. 19(2). pp.340-353.
Stipanuk, M.H. and Caudill, M.A., 2018. Biochemical, Physiological, and Molecular Aspects of
Human Nutrition-E-Book. Elsevier health sciences.
Online
Compare and Contrast the Biological and the Psychodynamic approaches. 2020. [Online].
Available
through:<https://getrevising.co.uk/grids/compare_and_contrast_the_biological_and_the
>.