PSYCHOLOGY

Modern perspectives of psychology

 Modern perspectives of psychology

1) Biological perspective
•

Attributes human and animal behavior to biological events occurring in the

Body. Such as genetic influences, hormones, and the activity of the nervous
System. It investigates at the level of nerves, neurotransmitters, brain circuitry and
The basic biological processes that underlie normal and abnormal behavior

2) Psychoanalytic Perspective:
•

More focused on the development of a sense of self and the discovery of

other motivations behind a person’s behavior than sexual motivations.Aredriven by dark
forces of the unconsciousness. Unconscious needs, conflicts, repressed memories, and
childhoodexperiences determine behavior
3) Humanistic Perspective:
•

People have f r e e w i l l , the freedom to choose their own destiny.Emphasized the human
potential, the ability of each person to become the best person he or she could be.
S e l f - a c t u a l i z a t i o n - achieving one’s full potential or actual self. The influence of self-
concept, perceptions, and interpersonal relationships, and on need for personal growth
determine behavior
4)Cognitive perspective:
•

People are information-processing systems. Focuses on memory, intelligence, perception,

problem solving, and learning. Mental interpretation of our experience determines behavior
5) Social perspective:
It typically investigates at the level of nerves, neurotransmitters, brain circuitry and the
basic biological processes that underlie normal and abnormal behavior thoughts, emotions
and behaviorshow to explain a variety of demographic, social, and cultural facts in terms of
human social interaction
6) Behavioral Perspective:
•

People are social animals, so human behavior must be interpreted in social

Context. Cultures, social norms and expectations, social learning determines this
Behavior
7) Developmental perspective:
•

We undergo predictable patterns of change throughout our lives. Interaction between

heredity and environment determines behavior
Organizational Perspective:
A)

A Human Resource Manager, Stuart is working in an organization from the last 15years and
he is an excellent employee. His performance in the organization is very good and lower
level employees looks upon him. Due to his performance, the organization has increased
his salary by 30% and is giving him various benefits. Stuart’s relationship with other
employees is also very friendly and he is always there to help them at any time.

Stuart’s family life is running very happily as he have a lovely wife and a son. One day he
receives a phone call in his office that his wife and son have died in a planecrash. From that
day on wards, Stuart felt as his life has been ended as well.

Due to this incident Stuart’s work performance declined which had a huge impact on
Organization overall. Moreover, his relationship with his employees was not that good as
they were before and he would become aggressive when his subordinates would show
some sympathy towards him.

Here is the application of modern perspective that how Stuart conceives in his case:

Behavioral Perspective:

As Stuart was really helpful and friendly with his subordinates, his behavior
changed due to the incident. He would like to stay alone for the most of the time, his
concentration would divert from his work as memories of his wife, and son would come to
his mind. He also observed that in organization, employees show extra care towards him
which irritates Stuart. Organization observed that his performance has declined which is
effecting the HR department largely.

Biological Perspective:

Stuart would become mentally disturb when people would talk to him about his
family. Physically he would have very bad headache, which he could not bear. He was
becoming mentally weak day by day, as he would not look after his health.

Cognitive Perspective:

As this perspective emphasis on how someone process, store, retrieve and use
information, Stuart would not think before speaking when he becomes angry with his
subordinates when they would point-out his mistakes.
Social Perspective:

Stuart’s interaction with his subordinates has become very less as he developed
some conflicts with them due to his lack of performance and aggressive behavior. He would
rather works on his own rather than as a team.

Developmental Perspective:

It is perspectives that focus on development of psychological processes throughout

one’s life span. As Stuart has gained a lot of fame and respect in the organization from last
15 years, due to the incident, he has lost all of it to some extent. As his salary was increased
by 30% which was based upon is work performances, the organization has decreased it to
10% only with very few benefits. His development and ability to excel in organization as
eventually ended.

Humanistic Perspective:

As every individual is unique then other, Stuart cannot control unconscious forces
around him. Different employees have different thoughts and perceptions about Stuart’s
behavior and attitude. It all depends on Stuart’s mental process how he treats or deals with
different situations and different people.

Psychoanalytic Perspective:

As primitive biological urges that are in conflict with the requirements of society.
These unconscious motivations and conflicts are responsible for most human behavior.
Stuart’s behavior and mental thinking changed because of the subordinated as they all
started to point out on his performance. Moreover, person’s motivation level decreases
when the environment is not healthy enough.
B)
Mr. Alex has been working as Assistant Manager Accounts in Cisco Corporation
for more than 8 years and his inputs are really appreciable. The problem is that he has
been asking for a promotion for the last 4 years but it never gets approved.

Here is the application of modern perspective, in case of Alex.

Biological Perspective:
Biologically there are no significant symptoms.

Behavioral Perspective:
Mr. Alex’s behavior has changed in terms of motivation and hard work. He now
gives lesser time to his office, as he doesn’t expect a promotion anymore.

Cognitive Perspective:
Because of the fact that he hasn’t been promoted for almost 4 years, Mr. Alex has
lost all hope to excel in this organization and is currently thinking about quitting the
job.

Social Perspective:
Socially, Mr. Alex has attained a certain level of inferiority complex because his
friends in other organizations have excelled far more than himself with lesser skills
and amount of Work and he no more feels the same way for his bosses and colleagues
as he used to, in the starting years of his job.

Humanistic Perspective:
Currently, it’s not that obvious, but Mr. Alex is very prone to fall into depression
if thiskeeps going on.

Psychoanalytical Perspective:
Mr. Alex seldom gives opinions which are out of the blue and he doesn’t really
care for what the consequences of those opinions might be

Developmental Perspective:
During the 8 years of tenure in Cisco Corporation, Mr. Alex was expecting a
promotion as he hadlearned and then implemented so many new things to the
organizational processes
General perspective:

A)
Being a university undergraduate student, I’m eager to learn and always think about
Scoring good grades.

Biological Perspective
Keeping the whole situation in mind, I can’t really concentrate on what I should be,
Because of my mind pre-occupied all the time about focusing on how to score well and
learning. Over lapping of thoughts, one can say

Behavioral Perspective
I’ve started paying more attention to studies than to my diet or co- plus
extracurricular activities.

Cognitive Perspective
People don’t expect me to remember them in the future when they meet me in person
Although they do.

Social Perspective
As the situations says, I try to interact more and more with class fellows and friends
and teachers of course to increase my social circle and getting maximum information and
help from them

Developmental Perspective
As I’m really keen and eager to learn and give away positive output, I’ve started to
Memorize things more than I used to such as vocabulary, problem solving tactics etc.
Humanistic Perspective
As a whole, I’m a quick learner and looks forward to positively gain from where ever
I possibly can.
B)

A 50 years old guy, Kashif is getting mentally disturbed and distressed because
of their family’s increasing wishes/demands after retirement.

Biological Perspective
The nervous system has become too weak so he can’t handle the stress.

Behavioral Perspective
Because of the uncomfortable environment created at home, his behavior has
become Agitated and aggressive.

Cognitive Perspective
Due to ever rising expenses he has lost all hope to satisfy his family’s needs, but
is tryinghard to look up for some compensation in terms of a job in a private
organization.

Social Perspective
Because of his depression he has cut off from all social ties and all kinds of
entertainment activities. This has an adverse effect on his whole family as well.

Developmental Perspective
His current state of tension can very well lead him into a chronic heart disease.

Humanistic Perspective
Due to the stress his abilities to run the house are hindered massively.

Psychoanalytical Perspective
Due to the direct effect of behavioral perspective, he has unconsciously started
acting rude and aggressively towards his family and peers.