Theoretical Approaches In Psychology

The book introduces and outlines the six main approaches and considers how each has helped psychologists understand human behaviour, thought and feeling.

Psychologists use a range of principles and theories, all of which view the person and the study of the person in very different ways. Theoretical Approaches in Psychology introduces and outlines the six main approaches and considers how each has helped psychologists understand human behaviour, thought and feeling. The Routledge Modular Psychology series is a completely new approach to introductory level psychology, tailor-made for the new modular style of teaching. Each book covers a topic in more detail than any large textbook can, allowing teacher and student to select material exactly to suit any particular course or project. Especially written for those students new to higher-level study, whether at school, college or university, the books include the following designed features to help with technique: Practice essays with specialist commentary to show how to achieve a higher grade Chapter summaries and summaries of key research Glossary and further reading Progress and review exercises.

This volume provides theoretical perspectives on and approaches to the development or enhancement of positive psychological capacities within various multi-cultural professional and organizational contexts. Specifically, it presents theoretical frameworks for the identification, development and optimization of positive psychological capacities through a contemporary, multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary lens. In recent years, the applicability of positive psychological intervention (PPI) techniques has transposed the boundaries of clinical practice into a wide array of complementary domains such as law, education, business and even design sciences such as architecture. These interventions target the enhancement of positive psychological capacities (e.g. strength-identification and use; high-performance learning; appreciative design; job-crafting) in order to not only improve individual functioning, well-being and the treatment of various forms of psychopathology but also to enhance team functioning/performance, organizational growth and community development. Despite its importance, very little research has been done on the design of PPIs applicable to multi-cultural contexts. The contributions to this volume provide insights into this hitherto neglected area of research.

There are six major perspectives in psychology which are also referred to as models or approaches. Each approach involves assumptions about human behaviour and psychological functioning. The major perspectives are the Psychodynamic, Behavioural, Cognitive, Humanistic, Biological and Socio-cultural approaches or models. There may be different theories within each approach, but they all share some common assumptions. Given the complexity of human behaviour and experience, it is not surprising that psychology has multiple pathways for approaching its subject matter. Most psychologists agree that no one perspective is fully able to explain human behaviour as each has its strengths and limitations and most disorders result from a combination of factors. Each approach has something unique to offer to our understanding of human behaviour but none offers a complete view. A contemporary holistic view however, is the Bio-psychosocial approach which assumes that biological, psychological and socio-cultural factors all combine and interact to produce psychological disorders. An eclectic approach to understanding and treating human behaviour, one which draws and blends from theories, principles and therapies across the different perspectives is now used by many psychologists, practitioners and therapists.Chapter one discusses the main theoretical perspectives, while the following chapters provide an understanding of the discipline of psychology in applied settings, discussing the theory, research and practice of clinical, forensic, organisational, educational and health psychology and the theories of human growth and development.

This collection brings together a set of specially commissioned chapters from leading international researchers in the psychology of reasoning. Its purpose is to explore the historical, philosophical and theoretical implications of the development of this field. Taking the unusual approach of engaging not only with empirical data but also with the ideas and concepts underpinning the psychology of reasoning, this volume has important implications both for psychologists and other students of cognition, including philosophers. Sub-fields covered include mental logic, mental models, rational analysis, social judgement theory, game theory and evolutionary theory. There are also specific chapters dedicated to the history of syllogistic reasoning, the psychology of reasoning as it operates in scientific theory and practice, Brunswickian approaches to reasoning and task environments, and the implications of Popper's philosophy for models of behaviour testing. This cross-disciplinary dialogue and the range of material covered makes this an invaluable reference for students and researchers into the psychology and philosophy of reasoning.

Theory in the psychology of religion is in a state of rapid development, and the present volume demonstrates how various positions in this field may be translated into original foundational work that will in turn encourage exploration in many directions. A number of new contributions are collected with previously published pieces to illustrate the

Biological bases pf behaviour - Cognition - Animal behaviour - Human development - Social psychology - Personality and abnormal behaviour - Research methods and statistics.

This second edition of this popular text is designed to meet the needs of teachers and students following new A and AS level Psychology syllabuses on either modular or terminal routes, as well as those on introductory psychology courses at degree level. This extensively revised and updated edition covers: - Major orientations in psychology and philosophical issues in psychology: including free-will and determinism and reductionism - Psychology and science biases in psychological theory and research, including advertising, propaganda, warfare and psychometric testing - Ethics in psychological research and practice - Ethics in socially sensitive research Key concepts are clearly flagged and learning objectives are included in each chapter.