Question

A ______ psychologist would be most interested in understanding what it means to be fully functioning, whereas a ______ psychologist would focus on what people do and not what they think or feel. a. cognitive; psychoanalytic b. psychoanalytic; social-learning c. evolutionary; biological d. humanistic; behavioral

Short answer

The correct answer is (d) humanistic; behavioral.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the Terms

To solve this problem, we first need to understand the key terms. A 'fully functioning' individual typically refers to a person achieving their potential and is often linked to humanistic psychology. Humanistic psychologists, such as Carl Rogers, focus on positive personal growth and self-actualization.

Identify Behaviorist Approach

Next, we need to identify the psychologist type that 'focuses on what people do and not what they think or feel.' This description fits behavioral psychology, which is concerned with observable behaviors and the processes of learning, famously associated with psychologists like B.F. Skinner and John Watson.

Analyzing the Answer Choices

Reviewing the answer choices: cognitive psychologists study mental processes like thinking and memory, psychoanalytic psychologists focus on unconscious processes, evolutionary psychologists look at behaviors through the lens of evolution, and humanistic psychologists (as discussed) focus on being fully functioning. Behavioral psychologists match the description of focusing on observable actions.

Select the Correct Answer

Given our understanding, a humanistic psychologist would be most interested in understanding what it means to be fully functioning, while a behavioral psychologist would focus on observable actions rather than thoughts or feelings. Therefore, the correct answer choice is (d) humanistic; behavioral.

Key concepts

Humanistic Psychology

Humanistic Psychology is a fascinating area of study that places a strong emphasis on personal growth and self-fulfillment. Unlike other psychological approaches that focus primarily on abnormalities and dysfunctions, humanistic psychology celebrates the positive aspects of human behavior. It seeks to understand how people can become the best version of themselves.

This approach is deeply associated with figures like Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow. Rogers introduced the concept of a 'fully functioning person,' which describes individuals who are continuously developing their abilities and striving to reach their full potential. They often exhibit characteristics like openness to experience, trust in themselves, and a desire for growth and self-improvement.

Maslow contributed significantly to humanistic psychology with his hierarchy of needs, highlighting that basic needs must be met before one can achieve self-actualization — the process of realizing one's own capabilities and potential. Humanistic psychologists believe that individuals are inherently good and capable of making choices that lead to personal growth.

• Focus on personal growth and self-actualization
• Key figures: Carl Rogers, Abraham Maslow
• Sees individuals as inherently good

Behavioral Psychology

Behavioral Psychology, or behaviorism, centers on the idea that all behaviors are acquired through conditioning. Unlike theories that focus on internal thoughts and feelings, behavioral psychology zeroes in on observable actions and external stimuli.

Originating in the early 20th century with psychologists like John Watson and B.F. Skinner, this approach emphasizes the role of environmental factors in influencing behavior. Watson is often credited with the founding principles, emphasizing that behaviors can be measured, trained, and changed. Meanwhile, Skinner introduced concepts like operant conditioning, which explores how rewards and punishments can be used to influence behavior.

Behaviorists advocate for the study of behavior in a systematic and observable manner, disregarding the need to consider mental states. This approach has led to effective techniques like behavior modification, widely used in various settings, from education to therapy.

• Centers on observable actions and conditioning
• Key figures: John Watson, B.F. Skinner
• Focus on environmental impact on behavior

Psychological Approaches

Psychological approaches refer to the diverse ways psychologists view, analyze, and interpret human behavior and mental processes. Each approach provides a different lens for understanding complex human experiences. Let's delve into a few of these to grasp how they provide unique insights.

Among the numerous psychological approaches, humanistic and behavioral psychology stand out for their contrasting focuses. Humanistic psychology looks inward at personal growth, highlighting the potential for positive development and self-actualization. This perspective believes that individuals have free will and the capacity for self-reflection and improvement.

On the other hand, behavioral psychology takes an external look at actions and reactions, emphasizing the learnable nature of behaviors through conditioning. This hands-on approach is practical and has many applications, such as in behavioral therapy and educational settings.

Beyond these, other approaches like cognitive psychology focus on mental processes like perception, memory, and problem-solving. Psychoanalytic psychology delves into unconscious motivations, while evolutionary psychology examines the roots of behavior through the lens of survival and adaptation. Each approach offers valuable insights and tools for understanding the intricacies of human behavior.

• Different lenses for understanding behavior
• Humanistic focuses on personal growth
• Behavioral explores observable actions
• Complementary insights from various approaches