The Perspectives of Psychology

The perspectives of Psychology

Psychology as we know it is the scientific study of the behaviour of humans and animals. There are four perspectives of Psychology the Humanistic perspective, the Cognitive perspective, the Biological perspective and the Psychoanalytical perspective. in this essay I will be describing each perspective in more detail.

"Humanistic perspective of Psychology known as (holism) studies the person as a whole. Humanistic psychologists believe that an individuals behaviour is connected to his/her inner feelings on self image" McLeod S A (2007)

My understanding of the Humanistic perspective is that each individual is unique and can change at anytime of his or her life. Everyone is responsible for their own happiness and well being. This approach doesn't take biological factors into account. The humanistic approach relies heavily on the perception and conscious of the individual.

As cited in Gross (2010) Two of the most influential theorists in Humanistic psychology are Rogers (1961) and Maslow (1943) Where Rogers based his theory on client centred counselling, the ideal self and the self. Maslow based his theory on the hierarchy of needs. Rogers based his theory on years of clinical experience working with individuals, where he called his ideas The person centred approach because the person was the main focus. Rogers agreed with most of what Maslow believed but also added that for an individual to grow they need to be in an environment which they can be accepted and understood. Rogers believed that for a person to reach their potential a number of factors must be satisfied.

In the 1940's Rogers developed the first humanistic therapy this being a alternative to psychoanalysis. This was called client centred therapy, the aim of this therapy was to provide the individual with an understanding of their potential to grow and self actualise. Self Actualization is "The organism has one basic tendency and striving - to actualize maintain, and enhance the experiencing organism" Rogers, (1951 p487). Client centred therapy was aimed at the client deciding what to talk about without judgement or direction. Rogers believed that many individuals problems can be caused by their perception of themselves which differ from their 'ideal self'. The self consists of "All the ideas, perceptions, values