Early Psychology Theories: Behaviorism, Cognitive, & Physiological

Early Psychology Theories

Behaviorism, cognitive, and physiological psychology are three of the earlier influential psychology theories.  They are all similar in the sense that they study what our behavior is and what it is that makes us behave that way. All of the theories are grounded in science. There also all share the same goal. The goal is to get a better understanding of individuals and groups. They also all aim to benefit society.

Behaviorism

Behaviorism focuses on observed behaviors. The sources of behavior are not internal, they are external. Behaviorism “is a theory of learning based upon the idea that all behaviors are acquired through conditioning” (Cherry, 2012). We are thought to be conditioned by the interactions that we have in the environment around us. Altering this environment alters the subject’s thoughts, behaviors or feelings. Positive and negative reinforcement and punishment would be implemented. Giving a student longer recess time for turning in their homework on time would be an example of the use of behaviorism.

Cognitive

Where behaviorism focuses on behaviors that are observable, cognitive psychology focuses on internal mental state. Cognitive development is based on the construction of our thought processes; more specifically, how they “think, perceive, remember and learn” (Cherry, 2012). It specific focus areas are “information processing, intelligence, reasoning, language development, and memory” (Answers Corporation, 2012). Cognition is when a person thinks. An example of cognition is when someone watches someone else while they are talking to them. Cognitive psychology has become greatly influential is numerous areas of modern day society. Mcleod (2007) points out that behaviorism assumes people are born with a clean slate and without any of the cognitive functions that cognition believes we have inherently.

Physiological

Physiological psychology focuses on the way that we think by connecting the way the brain physically operates with the actual things we do and say. Physiological psychology involves looking at the brain, its cells, structures, components, and chemistry, and finding how those things lead to our speech and actions, thus differing from behaviorism and cognition. “Animal experiments, always controversial, have also been used, for example by removing or cutting various parts of the brain and observing differences in behavior” (Changing Minds, 2011). Physiological psychology is similar to cognitive psychology because it also uses laboratory experiments to study behavior. Modern day science allows for less intrusive studies with fMRI’s and PET scanners. These machines give us insight into what areas of the brain are activated during different activities or thought processes. Today, psychiatrists prescribe different drugs that affect brain function to patients. “As an example, bipolar disorder is caused by abnormal concentrations of neurotransmitters and is therefore often treated with antidepressant medications that moderate the production or removal of neurotransmitters” (Knowledgerush, 2009).

References

Answers Corporation. (2012). Cognitive Development. Retrieved January 10, 2012, from Answers.com: http://www.answers.com/topic/cognitive-development

Changing Minds. (2011). Changing Minds. Retrieved from Physiological Psychology: http://changingminds.org/explanations/brain/articles/physiological_psychology.htm

Cherry, K. (2012). What is Behaviorism? Retrieved January 10, 2012, from About.com: http://psychology.about.com/od/behavioralpsychology/f/behaviorism.htm

Knowledgerush. (2009, November 1). Knowledgerush. Retrieved from Physiological psychology: http://www.knowledgerush.com/kr/encyclopedia/Physiological_psychology/

Mcleod, S. (2007). Simply Psychology. Retrieved from Cognitive Psychology: http://www.simplypsychology.org/cognitive.html