The Humanistic and Cognitive Behavioral Applications of Psychology Essay Example for Free

The humanistic and cognitive behavioural Applications of Psychology EssayPsychology as a scientific discipline dope be divided into four major historical forces. The first historical force being psychoanalysis, the sulfur force behaviorism, the third force humanistic, and the fourth force multicultural. Each historical force represents the zeitgeist or frequent school of thought for its historical time, and each school of thought brought about the development of different abstractive applications and ideological come neares. This paper will focus on theorists and theoretical applications of the second and third historical forces. behaviourism is the school of thought founded by John B. Watson and is the second historical force in psychology. The basis of behavioral psychology suggests that all behaviors ar pick outed and therefore can be unlearned and changed. Watson, like close other behaviorists were of the mindset that only observable, or overt behaviors, should b e studied because concepts such as emotion and cognition were too subjective (Cherry, K. 2011).Cognitive applications of behavioral psychology known as Cognitive Behavioral psychology or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) differs from the orientation of Behaviorism in that it focuses on the mental processes, apprehensions, and interpretations of the mind, as well as how information is retrieved. Cognitive Theorists study emotions are triggered by thoughts and beliefs. It is in this mindset that Cognitive Behavioral psychotherapeutics was developed as a type of talk therapy which is clinically proven to be more effective than medication for treating insomnia, depression and several other psychological issues. One of the nigh leading light Cognitive Behavioral theorists of modern day psychology is Dr, Albert Ellis. I focus on Albert Ellis and his theoretical applications because of their similarities to the foundations of Buddhist psychology.Albert Ellis founded Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy can be viewed as a philosophy of living, as well as a form of psychotherapy. Dr. Ellis also believed that unhappiness could be assuage by learning to identify 4 types of irrational thinking andcultivating Universal Self-Acceptance ( USA ) which overlaps Buddhisms three mark of populateence ( annicca, anatta, dukha ) (Tsering, 2006). Dr. Ellis believed that self-confidence was an irrational and harmful concept for reasons similarly found in Buddhism. M each psychologists believe that self-esteem issues help or exacerbate most mental health issues. Dr. Ellis advocated replacing the concept of self-esteem with Universal Self-Acceptance (USA) (M.G.T. Kwee, 2006) Rational-emotive behavior therapy, or REBT, can perhaps be summarized by understanding the A-B-C model for psychotherapy. (Ellis, 1994) REBT says that the most common mistake people make is in assuming that adversity (A) is responsible, or causes, emotional conseque nces (C).For example, unrivaled might believe that doing poorly on a project at work (the adversity, or A) is what causes them stern anxiety and stress (the consequence, or C). The REBT therapist, however, argues that it is not the adversity (A) which causes the anxiety and stress (C), but rather it is the individuals perceptiontheir unrealistic and over generalized beliefs (B) about the adversity that causes the anxiety and stress. It was not that a person did poorly on the project, but rather her belief that she must(prenominal) do well on everything she does. This unrealistic belief that she must do well all the time led her to tell herself how awful it was that she did not do well. Thus, it was her perception that she did not do what must be done, and that it is awful that she did not do what must be done, that resulted in her feelings of stress and anxiety. While most people believe that A=C, the REBT therapist shows them that, in reality, A x B = C. If the therapist can adj ust the clients thinking by making her realize that she doesnt always cause to do well, or that its not really that awful that she didnt do as well as she would fork out liked, then her feelings of anxiety and stress may be lessened. (Ellis,1994)As a cognitive-behavioral mode of treatment REBT postulates that emotional and psychological disorders are largely the result of thinking irrationally, dysfunctionally, negatively, absolutely, or illogically. Furthermore, REBT theorizes that rational and irrational thoughts are incompatible. (Tsering, 2006) cosmos are able to get rid of most of their emotional and mental unhappiness, inefficacy, or disturbance if they learn to maximize rational and minimize irrational ideation REBT holds that sustained negative feelings, such as intense depression, anxiety, anger, and guilt, are almostalways un inevitable to human living. (Ellis, 1994) After researching different aspects of Buddhist psychology it is my opinion that Dr. Ellis (REBT ) transc ends multi-cultural borders and values. I find this approach to psychotherapy to be very beneficial and important in American psychology which historically has failed in many aspects to encompass other cultures and ideological approaches in psychotherapies and treatments. Many similarities also exist between the ways that Taoism, Zen Buddhism, and the self-actualization theories of Rogers and Maslow. Both Maslow and Rogers described the self-actualizing person as one who has personalised self-sufficiency and who is free to make choices. The actions of the self-actualizing person are not determined solely by the physical and favorable environment, because a person has access to personal resources that are, in turn, growth promoting.According to Maslow (Maslow, 1968) ) the self-actualizing person does not cancel facing or acting on feelings or thoughts that are experienced. The self-actualized person of Maslow, Rogers, Zen Buddhism, and Lao Tzu feels a kinship with all human being s. These people care about others with a caring that is gentle and not moralistic. The humanistic approach of the third historical force in psychology reflects the self actualization ideologies frame up forth in Buddhism and Taoism and suggested by Maslow and Rogers. Carl Rogers, created client-centered therapy, and designated unconditional positive regard (UPR) as one of the three conditions were necessary for positive change, along with empathy and genuineness (congruence). According to the Rogerss theory, mental illness is often caused by the absence of hit the hay or by a defective kind of love that the client received as a child. By showing the client unconditional positive regard and acceptance, the therapist is providing the best possible conditions for personal growth to the client. (Campbell, 1985) One regards each aspect of the clients experience as being recess of that client . (Bozarth, 2001)While all four of the historical forces arrive contributed to the developmen t of American psychology and psychological theories, I believe it is the cognitive behavorial and existentialistic ideologies such as the theories of Ellis (REBT) and Rogers(UPR) that have had the greatest impact on psychotherapy and its multi-cultural applications . I can honestly say that my views and opinions have been changed by the knowledge I have gained from the news report and Systems class also known as psychology 308. From a cultural perspectiveI have always felt I belonged to two different worlds. I was born in Kentucky and raised in a very conservative , narrow-minded community. The predominant school of thought was very racist. My ethnic hereditary pattern is Scotch-Irish and I was taught as a child to have a dislike for those who were not like me. Imagine, if you will, the appointment I felt as a child who played with dolls, hated baseball, and had an attraction to members of my sex. Researching the different theoritical orientations in psychology has been an extrem ely enlightening experience. While I do not profess to be of any religious or spiritual mindset, I have developed an interest in the Buddhist approach of self-acceptance to life. I am almost 46 years old and I have made my office of mistakes along the way.Self acceptance has always been something I have struggled with. Dr. Ellis REBT and Buddhist psychological approaches have habituated me the tools to take a greater look at myself and to be okay with what I see. I delineate to be an advocate for those people like myself who have felt cheated by the cultural values or norms put forth by American psychological culture. Times may be changing, but in my opinion not fast enough. As we move to a more culturally diverse terra firma I hope that the plight of gay, lesbian, and transgendered persons will be considered in the greater development of multi-cultural psychology. Brook, J. S., Whiteman, M. (2008). Onset of childish drinking a longitudinal study of intrapersonal and interpers onal antecedents.BibliographyBozarth, J. (2001). Unconditional Positive Regard (Rogers Therapeutic Conditions phylogeny Theory Practice. Pccs Books. Campbell, P. A. (1985). Bio-spirituality focusing as a way to grow. Loyola University Press. Ellis, A. (1994). Reason and Emotion in Psychotherapy . lash Lane . Hanh, T. N. (1999). The Heart of the Buddhas TeachingTransforming Suffering into Peace, Joy, and Liberation . Broadway Books. M.G.T. Kwee, K. G. (2006). Horizons in Buddhist Psychology Practice, Research Theory,. disconcert Falls Taos Institute Publications. maslow, A. (1968). Toward a Psychology of Being. New York Princeton. Tsering, G. T. ( 2006). Buddhist Psychology The Foundation of Buddhist Thought.