Theoretical Psychological Concepts - Essay Sample

Introduction

The psychological theories have poised a tremendous influence on the personal development of individuals as wells as groups of people in society (Michie, 2005). Imperatively, the psychological theories tend to provide a well-designed mechanism to help give an insight understanding of the human thoughts, emotions as well as general behaviour. Significantly, the central concern of the psychological theories is to help provide a clear description of behavior as well as future prediction behaviour change. Based on this analogy, it is vividly demonstrated that the psychological theories can be used as an actual parameter to help understand specific behaviour change among individuals or groups of people in the society (Michie, 2005).

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The Significance of Psychological Theories on Personal Development

In a bid to adequately understand the maximum contribution of the psychological theories on the general personality, it is important to note its effects on public behaviour. Significantly, it is worth acknowledging the genuine opinion that certain psychological theories which fall under the category of the developmental theories tend to provide accurate accounts on the general behaviour change on individuals within the society.

Lawrence Kohlberg developmental theory extracted from Jean Piaget tends to provide the general analogy on the moral development of children (Fowler & Dell 2006). Notably, the philosophy which encompasses the three levels such as pre-conventional, conventional, and post-conventional explains the child's behaviour at these levels. At each stage of development, the theory provides different behavioural changes which are useful in the general analysis of behaviour changes.

To begin with, the pre-conventional stages of development, the moral sense of the child are externally controlled (Fowler & Dell 2006). It is worth acknowledging the fact that, the symbols perceived from the environment helps define the ultimate behaviour depicted by the child. At this sound stage, the child's behaviour tends to follow the figures seen from the climate. Tentatively, the child often receives the signals from parental guidelines, teachers and other responsible members of the society. At the pre-conventional stages of development as depicted by Lawrence Kohlberg though the morality of the child is not fully developed the internalisation of the societal conventions and stimulus plays an integral role in the general behaviour change.

The practical application of this part of the theory reveals that both obedience and punishment are used to help determine the ultimate moral behaviour of the child at every developmental stage. It is imperative to note that, being obedience to the rule warrant no punishment but once the perpetrator of the behaviour is punished, the general response is then perceived as dangerous. Conversely, the intrinsic motivation and allowances accorded to the child poised a greater magnitude about the intended behaviour change. On the second account, the conventional stages as depicted in this theory describe the child's sense of morality tied to both personal and social. At this point, putting emphasis help determine the intended outcome of the behavioural attributes as depicted by the child. This psychological theory tends to enhance human behaviour. The outside force help inculcate the moral reasoning which in the long run helps determine the ultimate personality of individuals in the society.

On the other hand, most proponents of the behavioural theories such as BF Skinner, whose philosophy focuses on the reinforcement or punishment as a way of determining the intended outcome of certain behaviours of individuals in the society (Burrell & Gable 2008). It is imperative to note that, the operant conditioning theory as depicted by skinner tends to offer a specific behavioural perspective based on the magnitude of the stimulus attained. The rewards or punishment received by individuals in the society helps groom specific behaviours thereby inflicting positive moral values among its population. The extent of rewards and discipline, as well as withdrawal from the social interaction, supports the entire society into a strategic behavioural attribute.

Conversely, the psychoanalytic theory psychology fundamentally has been regarded as the most effective reflector to the several behaviours depicted by most individuals in the entire society. It is worth acknowledging the innate fact that, since this theoretical concept revolve around how the stimulus often evokes behaviour.

Following the in-depth analysis of Lawrence Kohlberg developmental theory, my reflection reveals a vivid connection to my general behaviour. Interestingly, the symbols and the figures attached to society, has played an important role in attempting to shape up my behaviour. On the same account, the community as an external factor, has poised a tremendous contribution in inflicting the positive moral values in my general behaviour .it is also important to acknowledge the fact that, useful parental guideline along with the relevant stakeholders from the society such as teachers help determine the behavioural attributes of the child at a tender age.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the theoretical analysis helps provide a designated framework upon which the behavioral personality of individuals as well as the society can be determined. Notably, the behavioural attributes can either be controlled by the external factors as well as the internally structured mechanisms. Tentatively, the ultimate personality often depicted by the individual and the society at large emanates from the theoretical analogy.B.F skinners behavioural approaches along with the Lawrence Kohlberg developmental theory seem to have detrimental effects about the personality of individuals in the society (Burrell & Gable 2008)

References

Burrell, W. D., & Gable, R. S. (2008). From BF Skinner to Spiderman to Martha Stewart: The past, present and future of electronic monitoring of offenders. Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 46(3-4), 101-118.

Fowler, J. W., & Dell, M. L. (2006). Stages of faith from infancy through adolescence: Reflections on three decades of faith development theory. The handbook of spiritual development in childhood and adolescence, 34-45.

Michie, S., Johnston, M., Abraham, C., Lawton, R., Parker, D., & Walker, A. (2005). Making psychological theory useful for implementing evidence-based practice: a consensus approach. BMJ Quality & Safety, 14(1), 26-33.