Assignment #1
Chapter 1 - Psychology’s Key Issues
In this assignment, you will analyze the problems of Anthony, a 42-year-old husband and father of two
teenagers, who is struggling with his feelings of depression after the unexpected death of his mother.
Each of his problems will be presented in stages. Your job will be to describe the perspective best suited
to understanding each facet of Anthony’s situation.
Part 1:
Anthony feels as though recently he did not pay enough attention to his mother or spend enough time
with her. As a child, he was very attached to her but when he grew up, he found her to be annoying and
too involved in his life. Lately he is losing weight, cannot concentrate during the day, cannot sleep, and
his having disturbing dreams in which his mother comes back to criticize him for being such a “bad son.”
As you will see, Anthony’s problems are complex. We will look at his problems in stages, and at each
stage will see what each perspective in psychology would contribute to understanding and treating
these problems.
Which perspective is closest to Anthony’s feelings of guilt and depression? Why?
The Psychodynamic perspective is closest to Anthony’s feelings of guilt and depression. Anthony is
feeling guilty and depressed because he was recently not paying attention to his mother before she
passed. The Psychodynamic perspective argues that behaviour is motivated by inner forces and conflicts
about which we have little awareness or control. Anthony has also been having disturbing dreams in
which his mother comes back to criticize him for being “a bad son”, this perspective views dreams as
indications of what a person is truly feeling within.
Part 2:
Anthony has learned that his grandmother suffered from extreme depression as did his older sister, who
committed suicide in her teens. He now wonders whether their illness might have played some role in
his own depression.
Which psychological perspective would be relevant to Anthony’s family history?
The Neuroscience perspective would be relevant to Anthony’s family history. This approach views
behaviour such as depression from the biological functioning perspective and how the inheritance of
certain characteristics from parents and other ancestors influence behaviour.
What aspect of Anthony’s situation is most relevant to this perspective?
Anthony’s family history is most relevant to the Neuroscience perspective. Not only did Anthony’s
grandmother suffer from extreme depression his older sister did as well which resulted in her suicide.
Therapy for Anthony based on this perspective would most likely include:
Therapy for Anthony based on this perspective would most likely include meeting with a therapist or
counselor and discussing his depression on a regular basis.
Part 3:
Feeling depressed, anxious, and preoccupied, Anthony has come to view his life as failing to be fulfilled
in his work, family life, and personal interests. He spends very little time with his children, and even
though he loves them, he feels that he would only make them feel unhappy.
According to this perspective, Anthony’s problems represent a lack of fulfillment:
The Humanistic perspective suggests that all individuals naturally strive to grow, develop, and be in
control of their lives and behaviour. Humanistic psychologists maintain that each of us has the capacity
to seek and reach fulfillment as Anthony does.
Treatment for Anthony by psychologist following this perspective would try to help him appreciate the
role of free-will in his life:
Part 4:
Feeling as though his life has become boring and joyless, Anthony wishes that he could experience more
positive emotions. He feels unmotivated to go to work, and as a result, his job performance is suffering.
Now he is worried that he will be fired.
The role of Anthony’s environment in influencing his feelings of depression would be addressed by a
psychologist working from this perspective:
The role of Anthony’s environment in influencing his feelings of depression would be addressed by a
psychologist working from the behavioural perspective. This perspective focuses on observable
behaviour as well the environment.
A therapist working from this perspective would try to help Anthony feel more positive by suggesting
that he take what steps?
A therapist working from this perspective would try to help Anthony feel more positive by suggesting
Anthony take control of his environment, as well study and modify the environment in which he
operates.
Part 5:
Because of his constant feelings of guilt, sadness, frustration, and lack of fulfillment, Anthony has come
to believe that he is at fault for the problems in his life. His lack of ability to concentrate also means that
he is making mistakes on the job, and he even forgot an important appointment with a new client.
Concerns over his belief that he is a failure and his lack of ability to concentrate suggest that these
aspects of Anthony’s problems should be examined from a cognitive perspective.
In therapy, a psychologist working from this perspective would focus on Anthony’s ability to think,
understand and learn about the world.