1,342 words

Edward Thorndike's law of effect and reinforcement principles

B.F. Skinner is often associated with behavioral psychology, it is Edward Thorndike who set the stage for field. Thorndike's Law of Effect (1901) that successful behaviors tend to be repeated and unsuccessful ones do not set the stage for modern theorists along with the work of Pavlov (1927).

~7 min read

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626 words

The American Psychological Association's role in advancing professional standards

The American Psychological Association (APA) is a pivotal organization within the discipline of psychology. The influence of the APA on questions of standards and professionalism is unquestioned.

~4 min read

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1,973 words

Jean Piaget: pioneering the scientific study of child development

As a distinct form of scientific study, psychology does not boast a long history. During the earliest years of its practice, the study was used in a sort of "one size fits all" manner, with the client undergoing the same sort of analysis regardless of gender, age, or background.

~10 min read

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3,803 words

Ingroup and outgroup dynamics in the film Rosewood

Rosewood is a film particularly suitable and interesting for the application of social psychology. It concerns the story of a black community in early 20th-century Florida. The community was rather a-typical of the time, since black people were wealthy landowners.

~20 min read

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633 words

Feminist critique of therapy and historical power dynamics in medicine

From a feminist perspective, the foundations of contemporary psychology and therapy are a scandal.

~4 min read

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1,298 words

Obedience to authority in Stanley Milgram's behavioral study

Stanley Milgram conducted a series of experiments in the field of social psychology that tested how far random individuals were willing to be "obedient" if given orders by a person in "authority." The test was inspired by the stories of otherwise ordinary citizens on Nazi-Germany taking part in the…

~7 min read

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657 words

Psychopharmacology ethics in Steven Soderbergh's Side Effects

Steven Soderbergh's film Side Effects directly addresses several issues related to the field of psychology, including the use and abuse of pharmacological interventions. The film focuses on the ethics of psychopharmacology, especially when used to treat symptoms of depression.

~4 min read

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959 words

Humanistic theories and integration in client-centered counseling

My thoughts on Humanistic Theories and Integration are that they are extremely beneficial to psychology, counseling, and to counselors and clients alike. It largely appears as though these approaches to psychology are just what this field was missing.

~5 min read

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1,175 words

Obsessive compulsive disorder: treatment interventions and biopsychosocial factors

Of the many identified and treated mental disorders that exist in the fields of psychology and psychiatry, the author of this report has decided to focus on obsessive compulsive disorder. The author will be giving a review and summary of that selected case and disorder.

~6 min read

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1,672 words

The nature-nurture debate in juvenile delinquency causality

This paper will attempt to delve more deeply into the causality of the psychology of crime. Over the years, various theories have fallen out of favor regarding traits that predispose people to criminality. Some theorists tend to view 'nurture' rather than 'nature' as more important or vice versa.

~9 min read

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