Over the last few decades, there have been dramatic changes in the field of psychology regarding the approaches that psychologists use to assess the most important things in life (Barrett, 2009). Most importantly, the psychological field has moved from the study of human behaviors to more of an objective scientific approach which has heavily been supported by the advancements in technology especially during the study of human behaviors. Barrett (2009) argues that the number of women investing in the field has also increased as compared to the ancient Greek period (Barrett " Satpute, 2013). In the modern world, the area has been dominated by women including presidents of most nations and even women leaders from different organizations. Although there have been changes in this field, the psychologists still tend to ask questions that determine the relationship between psychology and science.
Barrett " Satpute (2013) report that the earliest philosophers Aristotle and Plato. Plato argued that certain kinds of human behaviours and knowledge are inborn and cannot be changed (on the nature side). On the other hand, Aristotle was more inclined towards the nurture side and he believed that each child is born as an empty slate (Barrett, 2009) and that the children gain knowledge through experience and learning (nurture). As compared to the modern philosophers, the ancient philosophers faced fundamental problems as they had few methods to support their philosophical and psychological claims. Also, most researchers did not conduct any research on any of their claims since they did not really understand how to do it and surprisingly, they were not even sure if there were possibilities of studying human behaviors and experience. However, dramatic changes were observed during the 1800s with different psychologists coming up with various psychology laboratories in Leipzig Germany and Harvard University (Barrett, 2009).
Today’s psychological perspectives
In the modern world, there are many perspectives of psychology which have been established by different schools of thought. Most importantly, a lot of research has been carried out on behaviorism, cognitive and structuralism. The details of these psychological perspectives are discussed below.
Structuralism
This school of thought was introduced by Wilhelm Wundt and Edward B. Titchener, and they supported the use of introspection method to study the basic structures of human's psychological experience. They argued that human culture is best understood by their broader relationships with the other individuals and that structuralism uncovers all the acts of human beings, from their thinking to how they feel (Barrett, 2009).
Cognitive
Cognitive is the study of mental processes that take place in human beings from their perceptions, thinking and judgments. This school of thought was introduced by Hermann Ebbinghaus, Sir Frederic Bartlett, and Jean Piaget (Barrett, 2009). It is the mental action of human beings, and it determines the amount of knowledge that human beings possess.
Behaviourism
This psychological study was first identified by John B. Watson, and B. F. Skinner (Barrett, 2009). They based their arguments on the fact that it is better to study human behaviors rather than studying the mind which is quite challenging. Also, these psychologists reported that the act of human beings could be used to find the level of knowledge that these individuals possess. Additionally, human beings are profoundly influenced by their cultures and that their relationship with others is influenced by their experiences and wellbeing. This perspective determines and best explains the roots of human behaviors. Barrett " Satpute (2013) assert that although other aspects such as cognitive development and psychodynamic perspectives also relate with the origins of human practices, however, behaviorism best defines how and where human beings get their characters.
Research study on the effect of music on test scores
Ethical considerations
Barrett " Satpute (2013) argue that listening to music during classwork may help in improving students’ test scores. This study determines the impact of music on performance. The type of music, however, determines the level of the scores. For instance, there are some typed of music that is banned by certain societies and therefore, schools in these societies should not consider these types of music as they may be deemed to be immorally upright especially in enhancing the behaviors and moral growth of these children.
Scientific method
This study will take place in one of the local schools within the district. The past students' scores will be used as the baseline and effect of music will then be observed. The researcher is interested in determining whether music positively impacts the students' behaviors and if music played a role in improving their test scores. The sample will be randomly chosen which implies that the researcher will randomly pick one of the classes in the school as the sample. The class to be chosen consists of 20 students. The history of test scores for the past three tests will also be determined. During one of the class sessions, the researcher will introduce music as a learning intervention. Afterward, the students' activeness and behaviors during this period will be observed and noted down. The researcher will then find any improvements in their test scores after a given period.
Experimental research methods
The researcher intends to collect data through observations. The primary data obtained from the study will be used to carry out statistical hypotheses. The means between the past students’ scores and their current scores will be used to observe any positive changes. The study intends to test the hypothesis that the mean for the current test scores is higher than the mean for the past test scores. The relevant test statistic will then be used to determine the p-value which will influence the researcher's decision on whether to reject or accept the null hypothesis at a given level of significance.
Neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters are chemical compounds that allow for neurotransmission. It acts as a chemical messenger that helps in transmitting signals across the chemical synapse which may include the neuromuscular junction, gland cell or the muscle cell. Generally, neurotransmission involves the transfer of the chemicals from one neuron to the other (target neuron). The neurotransmitters are quite significant in determining the human thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and there are different types of neurotransmitters which include:
Glutamate: Most fast excitatory synapses use glutamates to execute various activities within the brain and the spinal cord. In the central nervous system, glutamates also help to define the functions of some synapses that can be modified and these synapses are quite significant as they act as elements for storing memory. The glutamates are only useful at a given level as the excessive presence of glutamates may lead to the death of brain cells and may even lead to disease such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases among others. Glutamates define the behaviors of individuals as it helps in determining the duration through which an individual may retain information in the brain.
GABA: Most fast inhibitory synapses within the brain use GABA. Most sedative drugs enhance the effects of GABA, and this also determines the behaviors of human beings, their thinking and even how they feel (Barrett, 2009). For instance, GABA helps in determining whether an individual becomes a drug addict after consuming sedative drugs or not.
Acetylcholine: This was the first neurotransmitter to be discovered, and it is located in the central nervous system. This neurotransmitter operates in different parts of the brain, and most importantly, it determines whether an individual is excited or it inhibits the excitement depending on its level. Also, it helps in the activation of the skeletal muscles within the somatic nervous system.
The sympathetic nervous system
Barrett (2009) conveys that the sympathetic nervous system helps in activation of the fight or fight response. My sympathetic nervous system was activated when I saw a lion coming my way, and my surrounding was all fenced. I needed my body to produce adrenaline so that I could jump over the fence. The sympathetic nervous system helped me to achieve this. During this period, I noticed some changes in my heart beat as the rate was quite higher than my regular heartbeat rate.
The frontal lobe of the brain
Injuries of the frontal lobe of the brain impact the way individual acts. As a result of the accident, I will have some conscious thoughts, personality characteristics, and voluntary thoughts. Neuroplasticity is quite essential in the recovery of the brain's frontal lobe as it enhances the re-wiring of the brain. This, in turn, ensures that despite the brain injury, it still functions normally.
References
Barrett, L. F. (2009). The future of psychology: Connecting mind to brain. Perspectives on psychological science, 4(4), 326-339.
Barrett, L. F., " Satpute, A. B. (2013). Large-scale brain networks in affective and social neuroscience: towards an integrative functional architecture of the brain. Current opinion in neurobiology, 23(3), 361-372.
