Part 1 of 3 of this article: www.chennaicounselorsglobal.org/interdisciplinary-approach-to-understanding-human-behaviour
Part 2 of 3 of this article : www.chennaicounselorsglobal.org/mendelian-genetics-and-social-evolution
How do psychological theories and the other disciplines of biology and sociology complement each other in understanding human behaviour?
The psychoanalytic approach to behaviour, proposed by Sigmund Freud, is strongly rooted in the instinct theory of motivation, revolving around the hedonic pleasure (Id) and (social) morality (Super Ego) being on a constant war, which the Ego state (reality principle) resolves when it chooses based on the current reality (here and now). The psychopathology, as per the psychoanalytical approach, is when Ego fails to find a balanced approach. One of the reasons for this approach to be the least preferred model to explain behaviour is its trivialisation of the abilities of humans as an evolved species. Yet, the psychodynamic theory is the one that closely overlays with Darwin’s theory of evolution (in conjunction with Mendelian genetics), if it is appropriated to the adaptation of behaviour, with the basic need for survival as the driver of the said behaviour.
Homo sapiens are an evolved species and are differentiated because of their cognitive abilities that allows them to critically think and rationalise phenomenological occurrences in tandem with the complexities of situationism while exhibiting individual (or group) behaviour. This ability is also used in applying heuristics appropriately while problem solving, and decision making is involved. With these higher order thinking and functioning abilities, the acting on the instinctive motives can be appropriately controlled or modified, as the child navigates through the various developmental phases of growth (physically, emotionally, morally, and mentally).
To understand human behaviour, it is essential that we understand the complex nature of our brain and brain functions. The poly-vagal theory - a collection of proposed evolutionary, neuroscientific, and psychological constructs pertaining to the role of the vagus nerve in emotion regulation, social connection, and fear response1,2 – explains the fight, flight, freeze, and fawn response of human behaviour (which are overt reactive behaviours to stimuli, usually considered as a threat to one’s safety and stability). We also have the birth order theory by Alfred Adler & the attachment theory by Bowlby to explain child development, personality, and resulting behaviour in more depth. While there is enough biological backing for overt and covert human behaviour, the contemporary theories like the Brofenbrenner’s Bioecological System Theory provides us with the much needed insights regarding the influence of social environments on human development which can explain the complex interplay of various micro-systems (home, school, day care, neighbourhood playground, etc.), exo-systems (parents’ economic conditions, social services and healthcare systems, ideologies of culture, Government agencies, mass media etc), and macro-systems (socio-political events, religious beliefs and practices, national/global economy etc) affect every facet of our lives including the chronological order in which the life events unfold (the chrono system).
Simply put, the above graphic shows the multitude of factors that can affect and drive human behaviours. With so many layers & factors influencing human behaviour, interdisciplinary approach to enriching our understanding of human behaviour from biopsychosocial aspects would be the way to go forward, rather than restricting ourselves to just one of these paradigms while neglecting to gain knowledge in the rest. Especially in a collectivist culture of east, directly trying to fit the theories and concepts/standards of mental and holistic wellbeing from the west (which is considered an individualistic culture) would not be the optimum way to create a flourishing lifestyle. Interdisciplinary approach to understand human behaviour, along with the interconnected contextual knowledge and insights, can aid therapeutic interventions for promoting holistic wellness.
References
- Pinel, John.P.J. (2003). Biopsychology (fifth edition). Chapter 17 – Biopsychology of Emotion Stress, and Health (pg. 443 - 444). Pearson Education, Inc., USA.
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyvagal_theory
Glossary
- Situationism: The theory that states that changes in human behaviour are factors of the situation rather than the traits a person possesses.
- Phenomenological: Subjective experiences
- Heuristics: A method of learning or solving problems that allows people to discover things themselves and learn from their own experiences (as per Cambridge Dictionary)
- Individualistic Culture: A culture that prioritises the individual over the group/collective.
- Collectivistic Culture: A culture that values the needs of a group or a community over the needs of an individual.
- Flourishing: growing vigorously, thriving, prospering (as per Oxford dictionary)
Aarthi Prabhakaran
AM314
