Compare ccontrast Cognitive Behaviour Therapy Humanistic Approaches Theoretically Practically Free Essay Example, 3000 words

Psychology by definition includes many aspects linked to human consciousness and an individual perspective, which cannot be eschewed if behavior is to be examined. In the 1930’s Skinner however, made a valuable contribution to behaviorism through the development of the operant response and the reinforcement theories (Skinner, 1969). The Cognitive perspective evolved in direct opposition to the shunning of the mental perspective in behaviorism. There was more value attributed to the conditioning forces in the environment as being factors shaping human behavior while the contribution of insight or internal consciousness was largely classified as non observable phenomena. Staddon and Simmelhag (2001) pointed out the inability of Skinner’s theory to explain certain recurring behavioral patterns that cannot be explained by the stimulus-response effect of adaptation of behavior. When Skinner’s reinforcement experiments were carried out by taking time intervals into consideration, inconsistencies developed in the response patterns that appeared to indicate that there was something greater than a pure adaptive response that was g overning and conditioning behavior. The recognition that the underlying cognitive element was an important aspect that was related to behavior assumed importance in the 1970s. We will write a custom essay sample on Compare & ccontrast Cognitive Behaviour Therapy & Humanistic Approaches Theoretically & Practically or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/page Therefore, an application of the cognitive component has been found to be useful in introducing self regulation in aggressive students and has been more effective than purely behavioral controls. (Smith et al, 2005) The cognitive perspective applies the function of behavior as dependent upon two aspects of the thinking process (a) knowledge and (b) appraisal. The first stage of knowledge comprises the knowledge that a person possesses about how things work while the appraisal phase consists of the person’s own internal evaluation of how well he is able to utilize that knowledge to ensure his well being. The result of such appraisal will in turn determine an individual’s behavior and an appraisal that perceives a negative utilization of knowledge is likely to produce mal adjustment.