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Psychology
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- Psychological perspectives
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Psychological perspectivesC1 Explain the nature versus nurture debate.
According to revise sociology (N.D), “Nature explanations argue that biological inheritance
and genetics determine human behaviour; nurture explanations argue that society, culture
and social processes such as socialisation explain human behaviour”. some biologists and
psychologist say that people act on their instincts because they are animals which is known as
the nature theory regarding human behaviour. Meanwhile, some scientists and psychologists
think more towards the behaviour which is genetic which might be passed down by the parents.
However, this is more leading towards the nature theory because it supports that the behaviour
is already in individuals’ system. Nurture focuses more on people who grew in different
societies and how that affects the development of the human behaviour and even personality
regarding their surroundings. It also depends on what kind of people they meet and have
befriended. Individuals are taught what is right and wrong according to them by their guardians,
teachers and even siblings. Therefore, sociologists research how family and institutional
whether educational or career affects the behaviour. if nature is more important then nurture
regarding the development of human behaviour and personality, then the individual’s
personalities have already formed from birth and will be difficult to change. E.g. if an individual
has sunny type personality, it would be hard for them to change it into gloomy one. However, if
nurture is more important, then the experiences are also important, and the individual will be
able to flexibly change their personality over certain period of time.
C2 Describe psychological theories.
Behavioral theories: According to simply psychology (2024), “Behaviourism, also known as
Behavioral learning theory, is a theoretical perspective in psychology that emphasizes the
role of learning and observable behaviours in understanding human and animal actions”.
This theory states that all the behaviours are learnt by interacting with the surroundings and
that’s why the behaviour is a response to “environmental stimuli”. This “stimulus response
behaviours” can be researched in a “systematic and observable manner”.
Cognitive theories: This theory mainly focuses on the internal processes surrounding
information and memory. This theory suggests that children’s intelligence undergoes changes
as they grow and its not related to their knowledge, but they need to build and develop a mental
model of their surroundings world. This theory is important because it improves learners’
comprehension when they attempt new subjects or tasks. It allows them to gain deeper and
comprehensive understanding of new materials.
Humanistic theory: This perspective emphasizes looking at the whole individual including their
free will, self-efficacy and self-actualization. It strives to help people fulfil their potential and
maximize their well-being. It also focuses on their capacity to overcome hardships, pain and
even despair. It studies how people are influenced by their self-perceptions and the personal
meanings attached to their experience. This theory is also not concerned about past
experiences, instincts or responses. The main goal of this theory is for individuals to become
more self-aware and accept themselves and focuses on conscious thoughts than unconscious
thoughts. It helps the individual to develop a strong and healthy sense of self, explore what they
feel, find meaning and focuses on their strengths.
Psychodynamic Theories: This theory focuses on the psychological drives and forces within
individuals that explain human behavior and personality. This theory was made by Sigmund
fund and focuses on the unconscious mind as they are the source of psychological distress and
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, Psychological perspectives
dysfunction. Therefore, according to lowa state university (2022), “Originating in the work of
Sigmund Freud, the psychodynamic perspective emphasizes unconscious psychological
processes (for example, wishes and fears of which we’re not fully aware), and contends
that childhood experiences are crucial in shaping adult personality”. It explains the
personality in unconscious psychological processes, unconscious conflicts and defences and
is divided into conscious and unconscious parts. It also underpins the behaviour patterns and
dysfunctional thinking. It views personality as the result of interactions between the id, ego and
superego as well as also through children’s experiences.
B1 explain the impact of psychological theory on health and social care practice.
By understanding the factors that influence the individual’s health related behaviours,
practitioners can provide interventions that will help people to change their lifestyles choices.
These psychological theories can help to make predictions about what might happen in certain
situations. It is important in care settings because it helps to analyse cases, understand
patients and create interventions. It can also predict interventions results and evaluate the
outcomes. This theory helps the practitioners to understand the individuals and their behaviour
as well as why they behave the way they do. There is also no right and wrong perspective as
everyone has different views of how things go. Psychological theory tries to explain why and how
some factors influence individuals’ behaviour and tries to identify factors outside the
individuals that are involved in the processes of changing behaviour maintenance of such
behaviour and how there are different approaches to health behaviour change. The
behaviourists and social learning theorists can help to explain how health related behaviours
are learnt as well as some ways to teach new behaviours to people who use the services.
However, the humanist provides set of guidelines for working with individuals in person centred
and non-judgemental manner. This also shows patients how the practitioners care for them and
communicate through it, how practitioners understand their behaviour and reactions and how
practitioner know when to intervene appropriately using certain strategies. This also shows
them how the practitioner makes sure that the individual feel empowered, is encouraged to
start a new fresh life and makes them feel independent as well as also therapists refer to certain
appropriate services such as counselling etc.
According to city university of London (2024), “Psychology for Health and Social care looks at
psychological and social factors associated with physical illness, the impact of illness on
individuals, psychological intervention, and how this knowledge can be used in healthcare
and social care practice”. By understanding how individual feel and behave, it helps the
practitioners to give effective care which is essential for helping them get better.
Social learning theory is about human behaviour and “imitation”. It shows that human
behaviour is also influenced socially and not just cognitively. This shows that they copy and
learn from other individuals and elders such as teachers or parents not only from textbooks.
Therefore, it states that individuals develop who they are through the environmental factors and
imitate the influencers. Structural learning (2023)
According to psychology today (2024), “Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a short-term
form of psychotherapy based on the idea that the way someone thinks and feels affects the
way he or she behaves”. This theory helps the individuals to resolve their difficulties that they
are facing such as depression etc which negatively affects their life span, and health and the
practitioners help to identify and change their ways/patterns to help them make the best
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