Multiple Perspectives in Psychology

3 Key excerpts on "Multiple Perspectives in Psychology"

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  Psychology

  • Ronald Comer, Elizabeth Gould, Adrian Furnham(Authors)
  • 2014(Publication Date)
  • Wiley

    (Publisher)

  In fact, there has been something of a renaissance in what is called differential psychology because of four things. First, growing agreement about the description and understand- ing of the basic dimensions of personality. Second, a greater understanding of the heritability of personality and the role of the social environment in shaping it. Third, an understand- ing of the biological processes that cause these differences and, fourth, the extent to which personality predicts all sorts of outcomes like educational and work success, relationship building and maintenance as well as long-term mental and physical health. One question people ask is how to select among different personality theories: which is best? There are various criteria one could apply. Does it describe or explain all important aspects of human behaviour simply? Is the theory clear and free of jargon? Can it be tested with precision, and what is the evidence from those who have tested it? In short, is it empiri- cally valid? And has it stimulated others to work in the area and apply it to other aspects of life? The Psychodynamic Perspective LEARNING OBJECTIVE 1 Summarize the main ideas of the psychodynamic view of per- sonality development. The psychodynamic model emphasizes the unconscious, often dark desires (mainly about sex and aggression) that have to be held in check. The model was formulated by the Viennese neurologist Sigmund Freud (1856–1939) at the beginning of the 20th century. In Freud’s view, the personality forms as a result of struggles between primal needs and social or moral restraints. Many other theorists who follow Freud’s key prin- ciples differ from him in certain ways. The basic assumptions of the theory are essentially these: all social behaviour is the result of fights and compromises between powerful and unconscious drives, motives and needs.

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  Journeys Through Mental Illness

  Client Experiences and Understandings of Mental Distress

  • Juliet Foster(Author)
  • 2018(Publication Date)
  • Red Globe Press

    (Publisher)

  Perspectives from psychology, psychiatry and other disciplines 16 2 Introduction As highlighted in the previous chapter, a large number of studies in the social sciences have considered the understandings of mental ill health held by various groups. This chapter will review some of these studies, the conclusions we can draw from them and, perhaps more importantly, consider where the gaps lie. One of the most important distinctions that can be made between these studies is that of whose understanding is being considered. Here, I intend to consider three main perspectives: (1) that of the general public (2) that of mental health profes-sionals and (3) that of those who have been defined as ‘mentally ill’, by whatever criteria. It is perhaps symbolic of the bound-aries that exist between these communities that few studies attempt to examine the perspectives of more than one of these groups. It is also significant that, historically, psychology and psychiatry seem to have been less concerned with the views expressed by individuals considered to have mental health problems themselves, creating something of a gap in the litera-ture. This gap is now partially being filled by work in areas out-side mainstream social sciences, especially that undertaken by the mental health service user movements: this will be discussed in the next chapter. Broadly speaking, the main area of interest of this book is the representations of mental health and illness held by those diag-nosed with a mental health problem: however, studies on the beliefs of the public and of mental health professionals also have important implications. What is the relationship between client, professional and public views? Are they as divergent as has been suggested (Round, Bray, Polak & Graham, 1995), or is there a more complex interaction at play? The ideas of the general public might be of particular relevance.

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  Effective Helping

  Interviewing and Counseling Techniques

  • Barbara Okun, Ricki Kantrowitz, , , Barbara Okun, Ricki Kantrowitz(Authors)
  • 2014(Publication Date)
  • Cengage Learning EMEA

    (Publisher)

  5. The ecological systems perspective focuses on interpersonal relationships — that is, interactions — in multiple contexts. An individual ’ s symptoms both reflect and control interpersonal relationships, which in turn reflect and are controlled by larger sociocultural systems. 6. Contemporary therapeutic approaches are often integrative in nature. Three types of approaches were briefly reviewed. MI is based on the person-centered approach, yet is a directive and focused way to retain person-centered relational and core concepts, acknowledge client ambivalence and resistance, and facilitate client growth more actively. ACT and DBT, considered part of third wave behavioral therapies, add the dimension of mindfulness, values clarification, and acceptance to cognitive behavioral approaches while maintaining an egalitarian, collaborative therapeutic relationship. Perhaps the reason we have so many different theories and approaches to helping is the great diversity that exists among people and their problems. No single theory answers all questions or satisfies all conditions. At best, theories are approximations of knowledge — guidelines that are constructed to help us make sense out of the complexity of human nature and development. As helpers seek approaches and viewpoints that are consistent with their personal theories and their personalities, they must constantly refine existing approaches and create new ones. Feminist and multicultural therapies contrib-ute significantly to our understanding of diversity. It is critically important that we consider diversity in our appraisal of helping theory and application, and in our support of research about the process and outcomes of the helping relationship. The ecological systems perspective is an example of a nontraditional adaptation of conventional major approaches. This perspective deals with the identification of systemwide problems rather than individual problems.

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