Question

Discuss the history and development of the theories of Psychoanalysis, Behaviorism, and   Humanistic/Transpersonal/Existential (HTE) Psychology)

Answer 1

• The theory of psychoanalysis was developed by an Austrian physician, Sigmund Freud by the end of the 19th century and subsequently modified throughout his career. Freud started his scientific career adhering to the materialistic philosophy adopted from Ernest Brucke; however, he abandoned it while developing his intellectual independence resulting in creating psychoanalysis and acknowledging the mutual relationship between body and mind.
• He created a model of the human mind based on the physiology of the reflex arc. For him, the mind was best conceptualized in three distinct components, the conscious, preconscious, and unconscious. Freud was constantly revising his theories and practice as new findings came to his attention and, in this aspect, he can be a role model for all researchers. His greatest achievement was the simultaneous development of the human mind and behavior theory, as well as a clinical approach called psychoanalysis for helping psychologically disturbed individuals.
• John B. Watson is usually recognized as the founding father of behaviorism in the United States; however, some functionalists had made arguments that behaviorism was already well developed in Russia.Russian researcher, Pavlov discovered the conditioned reflex, and concluded that organisms respond to environment in terms of unconditioned and conditioned reflexes. However, behaviorism was advanced by Watson’s studies.
• Watson rejected studying conscious mental processes that were of interest of structuralism and functionalism claiming that they were not effective as science. He argued that the goal of psychology is to research observable and objectively definable phenomena; therefore, the only way to achieve it is by studying behavior by applying experimental observation as a research method.
• Watson’s theoretical foundation for his behaviorism, especially the explanation of behavior in animals, was impacted by concepts of positivism and mechanism as well as works of Comte, Thorndike, and Pavlov. Watson’s ideas of changing psychology’s goal to the control and prediction of behavior had a lasting influence on the development of radical behaviorism or neo-behaviorism represented by Skinner, Tolman and others.
• Humanistic movement in psychology in the U.S. was established in its organizational form in 1962 as the “third force” within academic and professional psychology. Humanism represented by Maslow, Rogers and May minimized the assumptions of the psychoanalytic approach and the behavioral theory which were characterized as deterministic, and focused on reinforcement of stimulus-response behavior. Instead, their person-centered theory, was based on a phenomenological understanding of human life and human relationships and constructed on a sole “force of life” described as the actualizing tendency.The humanistic approach explicitly states that individuals have a free will, which sets it apart from other psychological theories.
• Additionally, transpersonal psychology supported by Maslow, Washburn, and Kipper was based on the metaphysical assumption of the existence of realities that go beyond the material or just personal experience creating room for spiritual and supernatural realities.It attempts to integrate human experiences that transcend observable behavior and the unconscious drives with spiritual aspects of human existence.
• The principles of existential theory developed by Rollo May were influenced by the writings of Kierkegaard and Descartes stressing the meaning of human existence, freedom of choice, and the uniqueness of each individual. May believed that freedom carries with it responsibility, uncertainty, and creates anxiety.
• Each movement has provided an original and meaningful contribution to the research and understanding of the existence of human beings and their behavior. Undauntedly, psychoanalysis provided a theory of the human mind, unconsciousness, behavior, and a clinical technique to assist mentally disturbed individuals through the process of psychoanalysis. The principles and techniques of Freudian psychoanalysis were based upon the psychoanalytic theory of neurosis explaining that neurotic symptoms resulted from undischarged emotional tension and repressed memories of a childhood traumatic sexual experiences
• Psychoanalysis provided a technique to help clients to find the best possible solution to their life problems by understanding unconscious roots of these challenges and more effectively control them.
• Behaviorism focused exclusively on scientific and objective methods of conducting psychological research and controlling behavior. All human and non-human behavior is learned from the environment.Behaviorists also introduced behavior therapy allowing to identify maladaptive behaviors and replace them with adoptive ones by using the principles of conditioning which proved to be effective in helping trauma survivors and clients affected by phobias and depression
• HTE psychology empowered individuals to overcome the deterministic convictions that their behavior is driven by unconsciousness or environmental stimuli, and put emphasis on the meaning of human existence freedom of choice, free will, goodness, spirituality, and the uniqueness of each human being. It also provided a clear understanding that humans are borne to strive to achieve self-actualization, enjoy freedom which carries with it responsibility, and creates anxiety which can be alleviated by the social support and spiritual sources of strength, including God.
• HTE psychology stressed that, despite the overwhelming pressures of modern society, individuals can make their own choices, determine their own destiny, accomplish much, and take responsibility for their decisions, lives, and relationships.