William James Theory of Psychology Task 2022

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PSY30013
Student’s Name
University

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PSY30013
Task 1
Step 1: Post your answer to the following question-what elements of Wundt's or James'
approaches relate to your own view of what psychology is?
William James theory of psychology called functionalism was based on the arguments made in
the Darwin’s theory. This is based on the role of the role of natural selection and the environment
in shaping and justifying the characteristics of organisms (Taylor, 2010). This means that
behavior is seen as an adaptation to the environment due to the forces of natural selection. This
means that the role of psychologists is to study the functions of behavior to create an
understanding of how mental activities of people enable them to fit within their environment. In
this case, psychologists can understand human behavior by looking at how they display mental
activities in an environment.
This theory is important in creating an understanding to psychology since it views
psychology as a functional whole and not studying one part. By looking at the environment, I am
able to understand the differences in behaviors that are displayed by individuals. This implies
that an understanding of the environment is the best way to look at psychology (Mun &
Thirumoorthi, 2015). For example, people who use drugs choose to do so due to the feeling that
the drug brings. However, the reasons behind the use of drugs relate around the issues within
their natural environment that push them towards such drugs. This means that the role of drugs is
to assist the individual to fit within the society where the forces of natural selection are more
than the individual. Then to understand the mental behaviors of people, it is important to look at
the environment in which they live and understanding the natural forces that make them unable
to cope. Therefore, the elements of this theory are important since they create an understanding

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of the influence of the natural environment in the life of the individual.
Task 2: Step 1: Post a description of a real-world example of a 'non-scientific' approach to
therapy that is currently practiced, which has its roots in the approach of Freud and/or
Rogers. Do not mention which theorist this treatment relates to.
One non-scientific approach therapy practice is the thought field therapy for healing
mental health related problems through tapping with the fingers at meridian points of the upper
body and hands. This treatment method is mostly used to treat trauma patients for creating body
and mind relief (Irgens, Dammen, Nysæter, & Hoffart, 2012). This form of treatment is the best
since it argued that it works well especially in situations where the patient has already attempted
to heal negative thoughts. The theory is based on tapping sequence that is supposed to
correspond to other mental emotions. This leads to reduced energy blockage in the body since it
focusses on meridian lines and tapping energy points until the negative thoughts are eliminated.
When tapping the body develops survival and defense mechanisms to deal with the trauma.
However, this approach has not been scientifically approved since the studies that have been
done on the topic are limited thus its outcome is not clearly defined or documented.
This theory is related to Freud’s psychoanalysis which is also based on the issues that
have taken place in the life of the patient. The theory is based on the belief that all people possess
unconscious thoughts, feeling, desires and memories. These are the ones that lead to negative
thoughts that affect the patient. This implies that by focusing on the issues within their life,
taping ensures the patient is able to focus on the issues that affect him and how to overcome
them.
In a real world example, the focus of this process is to quickly reduce or eliminate
anxiety by manipulating how energy flows in the body. Since the body consists of energy fields,