Assignment: Key Psychology E-Book

Assignment: Key Psychology E-Book

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Prior to beginning work on this discussion, read the required chapters from the Harré (2006) Key Thinkers in Psychology e-book. Examine one of the schools of thought (psychoanalysis, behaviorism, etc.) presented in the reading that is significant in the evolution of modern psychology. Select one theorist associated with this school of thought and explain the specific theoretical perspective(s) and/or contribution(s) this individual made to the field of psychology. Evaluating the impact of the theory and/or contribution(s) to the field as a whole, identify the strengths and weaknesses of your theorist’s contribution(s).

Choose one contemporary issue or problem that is prevalent in today’s news and research a minimum of one peer-reviewed article on this issue in the Ashford University Library. Evaluate the issue from your chosen school of thought and your theorist’s perspective. Explain how the theory provides a deeper understanding of and insight into the conditions and behaviors related to the contemporary issue. Evaluate contemporary applications of psychological theory to the issue. Support your evaluation of the news piece with your peer-reviewed research on the topic.

Psychology is an academic and applied discipline involving the scientific study of mental processes and behavior. Psychology also refers to the application of such knowledge to various spheres of human activity, including relating to individuals’ daily lives and the treatment of mental illness.

Psychology differs from the other social sciences — anthropology, economics, political science, and sociology — in that psychology seeks to explain the mental processes and behavior of individuals. Whereas biology and neuroscience study the biological or neural processes and how they relate to the mental effects they subjectively produce, psychology is primarily concerned with the interaction of mental processes and behavior on a systemic level. The subfield of neuropsychology studies the actual neural processes while biological psychology studies the biological bases of behavior and mental states.

 is an academic and applied field involving the study of behavior, mind and thought and the subconscious neurological bases of behavior. Psychology also refers to the application of such knowledge to various spheres of human activity, including problems of individuals’ daily lives and the treatment of mental illness. It is largely concerned with humans, although the behavior and mental processes of animals can also be part of psychology research, either as a subject in its own right (e.g. animal cognition and ethology), or somewhat more controversially, as a way of gaining an insight into human psychology by means of comparison (including ). Psychology is commonly defined as the science of behavior and mental processes.

Psychology does not necessarily refer to the brain or nervous system and can be framed purely in terms of phenomenological or information processing theories of mind. Increasingly, though, an understanding of brain function is being included in psychological theory and practice, particularly in areas such as , , and .

Psychology describes and attempts to