Question

Discuss to what extent the concepts of French Sensationalism and Positivism can be related to concepts and principles of Cognitive and Behavioral Psychology/Psychotherapy

Answer 1

French Sensationalism is the rejection of dualism and rationalism and it holds the view that human behaviour can be explained by mechanical laws. They see human beings as machines and they believe that human beings are materialistic beings.

The concept of positivism creates a utopian society based on scientific principles. The basis of this concept lies in the interaction between humanity and scientists.

These concepts can be related to the principles of Cognitive Psychology as cognitive psychologists also believe that humans acquire, process and store information from the environment. They see human beings as information processors and that their mental processes guide their behaviour. They believe in the application of science in studying human beings.

Just as French Sensationalism believes that human behaviour can be explained by mechanical laws even the behavioural psychologists believe that human behaviour can be formed through conditioning. Conditioning occurs through interaction with the environment. Behaviourists believe that people responds to environmental stimuli which shapes their actions. Here too, they believe in scientific and objective methods of investigation. This is maintained by investigating only observable behaviour.