Tuesday, September 17, 2013

What is Structuralism in Psychology? (Part 2)

What is Structuralism in Psychology? (Part 2)


By Kimberly Swanson, MS-Psy, CNA

How Does Structuralism Gives a Framework to Psychology


The first thing that structuralism does is that it gives a framework to psychology.  Titchener first identified the problems with psychology which are (Schultz & Schultz, 2012):  1.  minimizing consciousness processing, 2.  determining “laws” based on consciousness, 3.  and  attaching “elements” to “physiological conditions”. 

Titchener, known for
developing structuralism for
 psychology
In 1896, Titchener created a system of  identifying the “elements of sensation”  which was based on his studies and research (Schultz & Schultz, 2012).  His system for elements of sensation was published in An Outline of Psychology.   The elements of sensation created a simplified framework for psychology by identifying “44,500 individualized sensation, 32,820  for visual sensation, and 11,600 auditory sensation” (Schultz & Schultz, 2012).
Titchener’s work brought more clarity to Wundtian theory of quality and intensity by creating a framework for psychology.  Bringing clarity to Wundt’s earlier work,  further explained how to gather “quality, intensity, duration, and clearness” to the conscious mind (Schultz & Schultz, 2012).
Another contribution that structuralism has done for psychology was give guidance as to how research and experiments  are suppose to be conducted.  Titchener developed the concept of introspection.  With introspection, researchers are trained to be more detailed and accurate while recording and documenting their data.  During Titchener’s time, he adopted Kulpe’s method of producing scientific reports that are more detailed, qualitative, and subjective (Schultz & Schultz, 2012).

Reference:  
Schultz, D.P., & Schultz, S.E. (2012). Philosophical influences on psychology (10th Eds.), A History of Modern Psychology (pp. 65-86) Belmont, CA: Wadsworth Press.

Updated 10/01/16

Copyrighted 2013-2016 by Messenger Publishing, Inc. all rights reserved


How to cite this article:


Swanson, K.  (2016).  What is Structuralism in Psychology?   Psychology Essence (Messenger Publishing, Inc.).  Retrieved from http://psychologyessence.blogspot.com/2013/09/what-is-structuralism-in-psychology.html.

Thursday, June 6, 2013

What is Structuralism in Psychology? (Part 1) / By: Kimberly Swanson

What is Structuralism & How it Applies to My Career in Psychology (Part 1)
By:  Kimberly Swanson, PsyM, LPC

Throughout psychological history, the structural system for psychology has been under debate.  Many philosophers, theorists, and scientists have different views on the best method for psychology.  
Edward Bradford Titchener is known for his approach to structuralism within the science of psychology.  There are many ways in which  structuralism expanded the field of psychology, and they are:  

  • Built a framework to psychology,
  • It gave guidance as to how research is supposed to be conducted,
  • And instills a code of ethics or standards in conducting experiments.
Last Updated 3/17/22
Copyrighted 2013-2022 by Purpoz Counseling & Wellness Center, LLC all rights reserved.

Friday, May 10, 2013

Word of the Week - Causal

Causal -  [kaw-zuh l] (adj.) -  (In Psychology) Constituting, or implying a cause.  A variable that causes an effect in research.

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

How Psychologist and Economist Work Together in Research?


By:  Kimberly Swanson, MS-Psy, CNA
Many psychologists and economist share data from their research because each piece of their studies fills in missing gaps.  For instance, if a psychologist does a research on patients that are uninsured, their finding may  explain the purpose behind human behaviors.  Their research may explain certain behaviors such why some patients are not going to doctor appointments  or  why some patients are not getting the adequate treatments for their condition?

 An economist may go into more detail about the financial conditions and the economy for the reasons why an uninsured patient do not get the medical assistance that they may need.   Combining or sharing research between health psychologist and economists in these examples show how the study can show so much more details and give a broader prospective of the problems with uninsured patients. Sociology and psychology can benefit from each other because sociology explains the social aspect whereas psychology explains the behavior.

Updated 9/23/16

Copyright in 2013-2016 by ©Messenger Publishing, Inc.

Monday, April 15, 2013

Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine

By Kimberly Swanson, MS-Psy, CNA

Health Psychology research demonstrates how disease effects a patient’s behavior.   When a patient becomes ill, they may have some key behaviors that may assist doctors to properly diagnosing  a medical condition. 
Blending health and psychology  enables  medical professionals to bring about an effective solution to a problem.  Finding solutions may require a wider scope to enabling a patients to overcome their illness.
When a person has a health problem, a practitioner may put into place a medical care plan for the patient.  The psychologist's role is the following:
  • To develop life style plans and adjustments
  • To support groups and support systems in places,
  • Counseling to help assist the patient in overcoming their illness or being able to better manage with their overall health (e.g. though education, awareness, and training through managed care).
Updated 9/16/16


Copyright in 2013-2016 by ©Messenger Publishing, Inc.

How to cite this article:

Swanson, K.  (2016).    What is post traumatic stress disorder?  Psychology Essence (Messenger Publishing, Inc.).  Retrieved from http://psychologyessence.blogspot.com/2013/04/heath-psychology-and-behaviorial.html

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Word of the Week - Falsifiability

Falsifiability -fal·si·fi·a·bil·i·ty, noun   (In Psychology) - The inherent testability of any scientific hypothesis.  This definition was given by Karl Popper, a philosopher.

Karl Popper,
Philosopher

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Health Psychology and Research


Kimberly Swanson, PsyM, LPC

Psychology applies to health through research because it explains human behavior factors regarding possible causes, effects, and solutions. When AIDS was first discovered, no one knew what it was. The only thing known about the disease was that it was spreading and was becoming an epidemic during the 1980s. The study of human behavior and health helped pinpoint the exact source of how AIDS was being applied. This is an example of how psychological research identified the root causes for the spreading of the disease. 

Updated 3/16/22

Copyright in 2013, 2016, 2022 by ©Purpoz Counseling & Wellness Center, LLC


Sunday, April 7, 2013

What is a Health Psychologist?



By:  Kimberly Swanson, PsyM, LPC

Health psychologists conduct studies and research on health-related issues such as how patients cope while living with cancer.  An example is when a health psychologist gets to the root of the problem of a patient's situation.  The health psychologist would try to help the patient with trying to break their old smoking habits.  A medical doctor (e.g. physician or psychiatrist) may recommend medication for the patient to better cope with withdrawing from their smoking dependency, whereas the psychologist or psychotherapist may take a look into some possible lifestyle changes and adjustments.
Updated 3/16/22
Copyright in 2013-2022 by © Purpoz Counseling & Welliness Center, LLC


Friday, April 5, 2013

Word of the Week: Efficacy

Efficacy (ef-i-kuh-sec) (Noun) - Capacity of producing a desired result or effect (proven) effectiveness.  Plural - efficacies.



Education - Lifecoach/ NLP Practioner


Manifest Miracles  - Self Help (motivational/affirmational) https://e4090b5hqa1qfqabp7qgrp7y8u.hop.clickbank.net/

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Health Psychology & Economics / By: Kimberly Swanson


Economic affect health psychology because it helps pin point or further explain the exact reason why a phenomena happens.  It gives a clearer or a more define explanation behind the purpose of human behavior.  It explains why people do certain things when it comes to their health.  There are three ways in which economics has a positive affect on health psychology:   it further explains human “(consumer) behavior”, “health disparity”, and the correlation between patients and their overall health within the healthcare system (Hanoch & Rice, 2010).

 The positive influence that economics has on health psychology is that it brings more depth to psychological research in human/consumer behaviors.   According to Hanoch and Rice, “economic thinking and methodology could supplement and enrich methods currently employed by health psychologists” (Hanoch & Rice, 2010).

One of the many issues that health psychologists explore is “health disparity” (Hanoch & Rice).  Economic research on health issues and topics literally blows the cover to health disparity along with the specific categories in which ethnicity or which socioeconomic group is greatly affected. 

Economic and psychological research both shows the correlation between patients and their over all health within the healthcare system.  Both sciences enhance the other and psychologists are able to develop more plausible theories and pinpoint factors that cause a person to develop certain illnesses.

 Economic studies also assist in showing possible solutions to resolving these problems.  Hanoch and Rice states, “To combine findings and approaches to both field, we believe, can provide policymakers and practitioners a richer perspective and better tools to battle theses serious and important problems (Hanoch & Rice, 2010).
Copyrighted 2013 by Kimberly Swanson (Messenger Publishing, Inc.) all rights reserved.

Reference


Hanoch, Y. & Rice, T. (2010). Health Psychology Meets Health Economics. In Suls, J. M., Davidson, K. W. and Kaplan, R. M. (Eds.) Handbook of Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine (pp. 290-302). Guilford.



Saturday, March 30, 2013

How Psychology is Applied in Health / By: Kimberly Swanson


Before enrolling and majoring in Psychology, I had a limited view of what career options were available as a psychologist.  I did know that health and psychology can go hand and hand.   I always thought that psychology only consists of counseling.  After taking this course on Health Psychology, I have learned that there is so much more to this field than meets the eyes.  This class changed my thoughts on how Psychology interacts with health.   I have learned how psychology is applied to health.



Psychology is applied to health because it is the study of human behavior.  Oftentimes to change a patient’s health, you have to dig deeper into that person’s routine, environment, social issues, history, and economics to get a wider scope of understanding of why a patient is sick and suffering from their condition.  Health psychology is a field of study that explains the effects of disease on human behavior. It also educates the public on preventing and intervening against the spread of disease.  This field of psychology also ties in well with epidemiology.

Copyrighted 2013, 2022 by Kimberly Swanson, Purpoz Counseling & Wellness Center, LLC. All rights reserved.
Updated 03/03/22