Psychodynamic Versus Other Perspectives

Psychodynamic Versus Other Perspectives

Different theoretical perspectives play a unique role in presenting unique orientations as well as views towards understanding the causes as well as the best treatment approaches for abnormal psychology.  In this given paper, each of these viewpoints are evaluated and compared so that their success can be assessed. A total of six theoretical perspectives (biological, behavioral, cognitive, humanistic, sociocultural, and biopsychosocial) are compared to the psychodynamic perspective to ascertain the approach that contributes the most towards enhanced treatment and successful understanding of abnormal psychology. Research suggests that abnormal psychology deals with unusual patterns of behaviors, emotions, as well as thoughts that precipitate mental disorders and the role that theoretical perspectives play should be towards enhanced treatment and discerning of causes.

Developed by Sigmund Freud, the psychodynamic theory argues that patterns of behaviors, emotions, as well as thoughts are caused by conflicting unconscious urges with conscious desires (Conklin 32). Thus, the three main terms that are considered by the theory are conscious desires, unconscious urges, and conflict. As a result, resultant mental illnesses develop when earlier conflicts and adversities are repressed (Conklin 71). Thus, the best treatment (according to the theory) is to subject patients with mental illnesses to therapy. During such sessions, childhood issues as well as dreams are addressed.

On the other hand, the biological approach is a perspective that focuses on the functioning of nervous system at the structural as well as cellular levels (Baglivio et al., 378). Thus, the three mains terms that are emphasized by this approach are nervous system, structural as well as cellular. First developed by Hippocrates and his associates between 450 and 350 BC, the theory explains that medical issues bring about underlying mental illnesses (Baglivio et al., 381). Therefore, the best treatment measures would be to treat damage to the nervous system that may be in the form of lesions or chemical imbalance.

The behavioral approach was developed by psychologists James Watson and B. F. Skinner (Walker 31). They developed the theory which argues that mental illnesses might be caused by the behaviors which are learned through a complex system characterized by rewards and punishments. Three terms that best define this approach are rewards, complex system of learning, and punishments (Walker 45). As a result, this approach suggests that the best treatment should focus on identifying the individual behaviors that are abnormal and changing them through a system of rewards and punishments.

Developed by Beck and Ellis, the cognitive theory is a perspective that explains abnormal behavior results from the thought process of a patient (Beck 777). Thus, maladaptive thought patterns encourage mental illnesses as they define the thought process and as well as perceptions (Beck 781). Key terms with the perspective are maladaptive thought patterns, processes, and perceptions. Treatment to mental illness due to abnormal psychology would be changing the thought patterns.

Carl Rogers (1951) and Abraham Maslow (1968) contributed to the formulation of the humanistic approach and they argued that abnormality is due to the inability to exercise authenticity (Nizette & Barkway, 105). Meeting people’s social and physical needs is the only means to attain authenticity. Thus, critical terms in this theory are physical needs, social needs, and authenticity. Mental illnesses develop as people are unable to pursue their deepest and truest passions. Treatment, as proposed by the theory, focuses on encouraging people to discern their passion and achieving them as well.

The sociocultural theory was developed by Lev Semyonovich Vygotsky and looks at mental illnesses to be caused by their experiences, influences, as well as culture (Tupper 28). Therefore, key terms in the theory are culture, influences, and experiences. Treatment would be characterized by integrating diverse and informed cultural and social norms to the therapeutic initiatives being undertaken.

Lastly, there is the biopsychosocial approach that was developed by George L. Engel and Jon Romano of Rochester. It focuses on thoughts, feelings, and personal history as the key aspects in development of mental issues (Snodgrass 439). As a more holistic approach, it integrates biological, psychological, and social factors in the development of mental illnesses. Thus, the best treatment would be to consider the complex interactions of these three dynamics (Snodgrass 442). Out of all the perspectives, it is the most effective in understanding and treatment of abnormal psychology since it encompasses biological, psychological, and social factors in one spectrum for better healthcare outcomes.

Works Cited

Baglivio, Michael T., et al. "Effortful control, negative emotionality, and juvenile recidivism: An empirical test of DeLisi and Vaughn’s temperament-based theory of antisocial behavior." The Journal of Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology27.3 (2016): 376-403.

Beck, Aaron T. "Cognitive therapy: nature and relation to behavior therapy–republished article." Behavior therapy 47.6 (2016): 776-784.

Conklin, Edmund Smith. Revival: Principles of Abnormal Psychology (1928). Routledge, 2018.

Lantolf, James P., Matthew E. Poehner, and Merrill Swain, eds. The Routledge handbook of sociocultural theory and second language development. Routledge, 2018.

Nizette, Debra, and Patricia Barkway. "Mental Health Theory and Influence Across the Lifespan." Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing in the Uk, E-Book (2020): 105.

Snodgrass, S. Robert. "Stanley Cobb, the Rockefeller Foundation and the evolution of American psychiatry." History of psychiatry 29.4 (2018): 438-455.

TUPPER, DAVID E. "Vygotsky, Luria, and the Cultural-Historical Approach to Cognitive Psychology and Neuropsychology." Clinical Cultural Neuroscience: An Integrative Approach to Cross-Cultural Neuropsychology(2019): 32.

Walker, Stephen. Learning theory and behaviour modification. Routledge, 2017.