The Diverse Nature of Psychology
The Diverse Nature of Psychology
Sarah J. Tillis
Psychology 490
December 13, 2010
The Diverse Nature of Psychology
The field of psychology has been in existence for several hundred years. It seeks to define why specific behaviors occur and also to examine mental problems. Over the years psychology has become a discipline that has valuable application in other areas as well. Because it crosses the areas of science, behavior, and mental processes, it has broad implications in other arenas as well. These arenas include learning and cognition, motivation, and personality, to name a few. It is evidenced in the Western countries that the field of psychology comes into play. For example it is used in education, medicine, business, and law. The integration with multiple disciplines combined with advances in learning research has made the field very captivating. This paper will evaluate the influence of diversity on psychology’s major concepts, review subdisciplines and how they can be applied to other disciplined. It will also outline how these contribute to society in multiple areas.
Subdisciplines
Psychology is a very broad field of study. Many theorists have defined what the basis for different psychological problems derives from. Based on this fact, there are many subdisciplines currently in existence. One of these is behaviorism. J.B. Watson coined this term. His concept focuses on observing behavior and states that behavioral patterns are the direct result of conditioning via rewards and punishments (Blackwell Dictionary of Sociology, 2000). This theory was not well received because it failed to encompass an individual’s free will. Despite this fact, behavior modification therapy is widely utilized current day. Behavior therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses various methods to change undesirable behaviors or patterns (New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, 2002). It also can be used to reinforce positive actions. This concept can be
Sarah J. Tillis
Psychology 490
December 13, 2010
The Diverse Nature of Psychology
The field of psychology has been in existence for several hundred years. It seeks to define why specific behaviors occur and also to examine mental problems. Over the years psychology has become a discipline that has valuable application in other areas as well. Because it crosses the areas of science, behavior, and mental processes, it has broad implications in other arenas as well. These arenas include learning and cognition, motivation, and personality, to name a few. It is evidenced in the Western countries that the field of psychology comes into play. For example it is used in education, medicine, business, and law. The integration with multiple disciplines combined with advances in learning research has made the field very captivating. This paper will evaluate the influence of diversity on psychology’s major concepts, review subdisciplines and how they can be applied to other disciplined. It will also outline how these contribute to society in multiple areas.
Subdisciplines
Psychology is a very broad field of study. Many theorists have defined what the basis for different psychological problems derives from. Based on this fact, there are many subdisciplines currently in existence. One of these is behaviorism. J.B. Watson coined this term. His concept focuses on observing behavior and states that behavioral patterns are the direct result of conditioning via rewards and punishments (Blackwell Dictionary of Sociology, 2000). This theory was not well received because it failed to encompass an individual’s free will. Despite this fact, behavior modification therapy is widely utilized current day. Behavior therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses various methods to change undesirable behaviors or patterns (New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, 2002). It also can be used to reinforce positive actions. This concept can be