The science of psychology advances to the extent that new research presents elements that refute or improve aspects that previous paradigms could not explain.
The psychology is the science which has as its object I study human behavior In searching for the answer to the way we act, it is sometimes believed that psychology will provide a single answer. But the reality is that we are faced with a science that does not offer a theoretical consensus that integrates the different points of view of the different scientific communities. This is because psychology is a factual science, that is, it studies facts and its study method consists of confronting laws with practice, that is, theory with reality, with several paradigms existing to explain it.
A paradigm it is formed by theories, laws and techniques that are adopted by professionals who move in a scientific community and who defend a certain vision of the world and people. The paradigm exists to the extent that it can explain the enigmas of behavior, but if there are aspects that it cannot resolve, a paradigm is developed. crisis which gives rise to a scientific revolution and the creation of a new paradigm that will respond to these new questions In short, the science of psychology advances to the extent that new research They present elements that refute or improve aspects that previous paradigms could not explain.
Currently, we can distinguish several paradigms that defend a certain position, and give an explanation to human behavior, thus comprising a characteristic method of action towards patients.
There is four great paradigms that have been developed in psychology and that can serve to explain the bases of the different therapeutic currents. If there is a key discipline for psychology that at the same time stands out from this science due to its way of understanding the subject and human behavior, it is the psychoanalytic paradigm.
The psychoanalytic paradigm differs from other paradigms because it is at the same time a method of research and observation, a theory of behavior and a set of techniques designed for the treatment of mental disorders. The psychoanalytic paradigm suggests that not only genetic and constitutional factors constitute personality and disorders. They understand that the resolution of a conflict consists of be able to name that, that the subject can evoke to the conscious those aspects that it has not been able to resolve. He does not doubt the ability to symbolize through the word highlighting that what is not said affects both one’s own body and the relationship with others. Psychoanalysis seeks to work on those symptoms that are repeated, in a singular treatment and the effectiveness of psychoanalysis is the result of the work that—together with the analyst—each analysand does with his or her unconscious to produce knowledge up to that moment submerged. By discovering his authentic desires, the analysand manages to assume his own responsibility and the risk of his freedom, freeing himself and accepting his discomfort.
In opposition to psychoanalysis, we differentiate two paradigms considered the most “scientific”, since they try to explain the phenomena of human behavior through objective tests that establish universal causes or laws.
Psychobiological paradigm
This paradigm understands that behavior is the result of brain processes Among the disciplines that focus their activity on this paradigm we find the neuropsychology which studies the relationship between brain function and behavior through tests. The psychobiological paradigm understands that the structural, physiological and behavioral characteristics of a person can be explained by two factors: the phylogenetic and the ontogenetic The first refers to the evolution Yet the Genetic heritage of our ancestors, who through natural selection will have determined the characteristics of our species. The second refers to the circumstances that affect the phylogenetic factor and that determine the development of the individual and its composition, from its conception to its death.
The psychobiology locates each of the behaviors in the physiological structure of the individual and identifies the structures and neuronal processes that generate them. According to this paradigm all thoughts, emotions… They are the product of physical and chemical processes of the human body, so that all mental disorders will also be the product of some alteration in some biological process. Psychobiology uses new technologies (magnetic resonance imaging, CT or neuroimaging) to carry out its research and establish its conclusions based on correlations.
Behavioral paradigm
This paradigm understands that the study of psychology must focus on the visible behavior and that human behavior is explained by learnings and moldings Behaviorism rejects consciousness (understood as higher mental processes) as an object of study and proposes focus on observable and measurable behavior to give an objective and deterministic character to psychology. His studies are based on the conditioning , that is, in how the stimuli and the resulting consequences determine the way in which a response is given; The repetition of these situations will generate learning and an experience that will mark the individual’s work. The disorder will be conceived as a result of maladaptive learning that can be modified. The use of reinforcers or punishments are the best known procedures to shape the behavior of the individual, in fact the behavioral paradigm is widely used in the field educational
One of the criticisms of these two “pure scientific” paradigms is that their vision depersonalizes and leaves aside the being, generalizes, reduces and eliminates feelings and the subjective. On the other hand, new scientific paradigms focus their activity on the being and dimension their subjectivity in his study of human behavior.
Phenomenological paradigm
This paradigm is based on the existential philosophy , states that all the things that people do, feel and say have a meaning within their existential framework (being in the world). Contrary to the paradigms considered more scientific, the phenomenological paradigm does not seek to seek universal laws nor is it based on observational evidence, but rather studies the relationship between the facts (phenomena) and the way in which this reality is made present to us (the conscience or psyche). Understand the subject how unique and unrepeatable , each one with a particular way of giving meaning to their world. In this aspect, the phenomenological paradigm seeks to understand the structures of subjective meaning (the interpretation we make of the world) that will determine our way of being and acting in order to treat the subject’s problems.
