PSYC 110 Week 1 Assignment

PSYC 110 Week 1 Assignment

Student Name

Chamberlain University

PSYC-110: Psychology

Prof. Name:

Date

PSYC 110 Week 1 Assignment

In the first week of my psychology course, I examined five major psychological perspectives commonly applied to understanding human behavior: psychoanalytic/psychodynamic, behavioral, humanistic, cognitive, and neuroscientific/biopsychological perspectives (Chamberlain, 2019). Each perspective provides a unique approach to interpreting the motivations behind human actions and experiences. These perspectives offer insights into various aspects of behavior, from unconscious desires and learned behaviors to cognitive processes and brain functions.

A significant event that gained media attention was the announcement made by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in 2020. They shared via their official Instagram that they would be stepping back from their senior roles within the Royal Family. Their intention was to divide their time between the UK and North America while pursuing financial independence and creating a more progressive role within the institution (Bruner & McCuskey, 2020).

Overview

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex made a public statement about their decision to step back from their senior royal duties to establish a new, progressive role within the royal family and achieve financial independence. Their plan was to spend part of the year in both Britain and North America while continuing to support the Queen (Bruner & McCuskey, 2020). One of the primary motivations behind their decision was a desire for greater privacy. However, speculation arose, with some people suggesting that the Duchess of Sussex may be creating a rift between the Duke and his family (Daniels, 2020).

Behavioral Perspective

Two psychological perspectives that can be applied to analyze the Sussexes’ decision are the behavioral and cognitive approaches. Behavioral psychologists argue that an individual’s behavior is shaped by external environmental factors and can be influenced by conditioning. From this viewpoint, a behavioral psychologist might suggest that the Sussexes’ decision to step back from royal duties was driven by internal motivations rather than external pressures from media or public opinion. On the other hand, cognitive psychologists focus on the mental processes that influence decisions, such as thought patterns and biases. A cognitive psychologist would examine how the Sussexes’ internal thoughts and expectations shaped their decision to seek a life outside the royal spotlight.

Cognitive Perspective

In contrast to behavioral psychologists, cognitive psychologists believe that a person’s thoughts, feelings, and expectations play a significant role in shaping their behavior. For example, Princess Meghan Markle, who was not raised in a royal environment, may have different expectations regarding privacy and her children’s upbringing. A cognitive psychologist might argue that her decision to step back from the royal family was motivated by a desire to provide her family with more privacy and autonomy, something that was likely influenced by her personal experiences and expectations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s decision to step back from their roles as senior members of the Royal Family and split their time between Britain and North America was a highly personal choice. Some have criticized the Duchess for allegedly distancing the Duke from his family, while others view it as their right to seek privacy and independence. Behavioral psychologists might suggest that external factors influenced their decision, while cognitive psychologists may emphasize the Duchess’s upbringing and expectations regarding privacy as key drivers in her decision-making process.

References

Bruner, R., & McCuskey, M. (2020, January 13). Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Step Down: Everything We Know. Time. Retrieved from https://time.com/5761547/prince-harry-meghan-markle-step-back-senior-royals/.

Chamberlain University. (2019). Lesson 1. Retrieved from https://chamberlain.instructure.com/courses/55959/pages/week-1-lesson-introduction-research-and-biological-foundations?module_item_id=7259100.

PSYC 110 Week 1 Assignment

Daniels, N. (2020, January 10). What Do You Think About Prince Harry and Meghan ‘Stepping Back’? The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/10/learning/what-do-you-think-about-prince-harry-and-meghan-stepping-back.html.