Detailed Exploration of Psychological Theories and Research Methods

This essay provides an overview of several key psychological theories, including behaviorism (Pavlov, Thorndike, Skinner, Watson), humanistic psychology (Maslow, Carl Rogers), psychodynamic theory (Freud), and biological psychology (Darwin, Harlow). It discusses the core concepts of each theory, such as classical and operant conditioning, the hierarchy of needs, the influence of unconscious motives, and the role of genetics and evolution. The essay also includes personal reflections on the theories, identifying those the author finds most and least compelling, and concludes by considering the influence of these theories on the future of psychology and suggesting new research methods. The document is available on Desklib, a platform offering study tools and solved assignments for students.

PSYCHOLO
GY
ASSIGNMEN
T

PART 2
PORTFOLIO
PRESENTATION
 Introduction – Outline
 Psychological theories
1. Behavioral
2. Humanistic
3. Psychodynamic
4. Biological
 Theories I like
 Theories I dislike
 Conclusion
 Influence of these theories on future of psychology
 New method that can be applied to the research in psychology

BEHAVIOUR
AL
Pavlov
Thorndike
Skinner
Watson

PAVLOV
 The theory involves classical conditioning which
involves learning to associate an unconditional stimulus
that already brings about a specific response with a new
stimulus.
 This is developed so that new stimulus can bring the
same response. The theory is based on an example (dog).
For instance, psychologist identifies that identifies that
learning is related to unconditioned stimulus which is
already brought particular response with a total
innovative stimulus. Thus, such type of learning is
related to response.
 It says that dog does not need to learn.
 The theory shows direct relationship between
unconditional stimulus and unconditioned response
which exists in behavior.

THORNDIKE
 The theory involves operant
conditioning within behaviorism.
 It has been conducted on cats which and
along with that, an experiment is also
conducted.
 It depicts the law of effect which stated
that any behavior which is followed by
pleasant consequences is likely to
happen on repeated basis.
 However, on the other hand the
behavior that is followed by unpleasant
consequences is likely to be stopped.

SKINNER
 The theory contends that
classical conditioning is far
too simplistic to be a
complete examination of
complex human behavior.
 Hence, the best way to
comprehend behavior is to
look at the causes of an
action and its consequences.

WATSON
 The theory has been developed by applying it to child
development.
 The theory depicts that a child’s environment is the factor that
shapes different behavior over the genetic make up and
natural temperament.

HUMANISTIC
Maslow
Carl Rogers

Maslow need
hierarchy
theory
Maslow hierarchy need model identifies that the individual needs that
need to be followed so that best results can be attained-
 Physiological needs- It involves the basic needs that needs such as air,
water, food and shelter.
 Safety needs- Individual involves such need as crucial and thus assess
safety and security needs of individuals.
 Belongingness- Further, such need assesses work group, family and
affection.
 Esteem needs- It identifies the status, prestige and responsibilities
needs of individual towards others.
 Self actualization needs- it assesses the personal potential and self
fulfilment so that best results can be attained.

MASLOW
 The theory states that humanism was
a reaction to both the pessimistic
determinism of psychoanalysis.
 It also emphasizes upon
psychological disturbances to the
behaviorists views of humans that
reacts to the environment.
 Further, it is also mentioned that
personality of a person changes the
behavior and motivational needs

CARL ROGERS
 The subsequent theory
contends that in order to
grow, a person needs to
have an environment that
can provide the
opportunity to become
genuine, acceptable and
comprehensive.

PSYCHODYNAM
IC
FREUD
 The theory sees that human functioning is based upon the
interaction of drives and forces that exist within a person.
 It also shows interrelationships amid different structures
of the personality.
 The theory also contends that human behavior and
feelings are powerfully affected by unconscious motives.
 Further, in the theory it is also mentioned that all behavior
has a cause which is usually unconscious.

BIOLOGICAL
Darwin
Harlow

DARWIN
 The theory states that all life is
related and has descended from a
common ancestor.
 It also presumes the development of
life from non – life and stresses
which is a purely naturalistic and
undirected descent with
modification.

HARLOW
 This study is based on the mental
processes of primates which
include memory, cognition and
learning.
 In the experiment, Harlow realized
that monkeys are slow in learning.
 After conducting the experiment,
he found out that there is a bond
between mother and infant
monkey which also develops
diverse physiological needs.

EXAMPLES
TO SUPPORT
MAJOR
POINTS
 I can say that all the theories have different relationships with each
other; hence they are depicting diverse nature of psychology.
 The relationship between repeated behaviour and reward for the act
is completely clear through Thorndike theory.
 Repeated behaviour comes when it is rewarded and this is evident
from the theory of Thorndike which clarifies how a cat shows
operant conditioning in behaviorism.

THEORIES I
LIKE
 I like the theory of Freud in the field of psychodynamic which
considers human functioning an important aspect that is driven by a
number of factors.
 It is also useful in depicting the importance of interrelationship of
different personality aspects.
 Further, I also liked the theory of Maslow in humanistic field that
states humans gives different reactions to every situation as per the
category.
 The theory is also interesting because that shows how a person
changes behavioral aspects according to motivational needs.

THEORIES I
DO NOT LIKE
 I did not like the theory of Skinner (behavioral field)
because I did not find any relationship between classical
conditioning and complex human behaviour.
 Further, due to lack of extensive research, I did not
understand the aspects present in Thorndike theory.
 I was also unable to find out the concept of involvement
of operant conditioning within behaviorism.

CONCLUSION
 In terms of conclusion, it can be said that there are many
concepts underlying in the field of psychology which
could be applied in diverse domains.
 Needs of people keeps on changing; hence no theory can
be universally applied in a specific situation. This states
that even the theory of psychology cannot bring specific
answer for any situation.

INFLUENCE
OF THESE
THEORIES ON
FUTURE OF
PSYCHOLOGY
 The theories are researchable; hence wide range of information can be
acquired through the same field.
 Further, researchers need to conduct extensive research in psychological
concepts because through that only, theories would be suitably applicable.
 The theories are far useful in the context of showing cultural norms
because psychology has direct impact on the concept of diversity.
 Moreover, it is also clear that application of such theories would also assist
researchers to comprehend the changed behaviour of human beings in
different situations.

NEW METHOD
THAT CAN BE
APPLIED TO
THE RESEARCH
IN
PSYCHOLOGY
 It also aids in understanding diverse stage of development; hence
theories can be applied in practice.
 Along with this, it can also be said that the theories are beneficial
for the purpose of analyzing behavioral aspects in human beings
which occurs due to different situations.
 Moreover, it can also be said that psychological theories are useful
for the purpose of comprehending abnormal behaviour.

REFERENCES
 Chizhik, E. (2017). TE 922 Behavioral and Psychological Aspects of
Teaching. Sec 26.
 Dikkers, J., De Lange, A., & Van der Heijden, B. (2017). An Integrative
Psychological Perspective on (Successful) Ageing at Work. In The
Palgrave Handbook of Age Diversity and Work (pp. 67-88). Palgrave
Macmillan UK.
 Ozer, S. (2017). Psychological Theories of Acculturation. In International
Encyclopedia of Intercultural Communication. Wiley-Blackwell.
 Moors, A. (2017). Integration of two skeptical emotion theories:
Dimensional appraisal theories and Russell’s psychological construction
theory.Psychological Inquiry.

THANK
YOU