Initial Post Instructions
After reviewing the case below, choose two perspectives (neuroscience,
humanistic, cognitive, psychodynamic or behavioral) to create a short
dialogue between two psychologists discussing Sara's behavior. Feel free to
be creative in your dialogue! Define your two chosen perspectives and
briefly discuss the differences of each approach. What was one missing in
your dialogue from the case that the other helped to explain?
For example, what would a psychodynamic psychologist say about Sara's
behavior versus a cognitive psychologist? Your dialogue might look something
like this:
Psychodynamic Psychologist: Sara seems to be exhibiting these behaviors as
a result of unconscious thoughts and conflicts she may not be aware of.
Cognitive Psychologist: That could be true! But I think a possible cause of
Sara's anxiety could stem from the way she thinks about the world around
her. Her thinking is distorted and we should work to change that.
Psychodynamic Psychologist: Hmm... Sara's parents did get a divorce when
she was in high school, she could have possibly repressed those feelings
that are now coming to the surface from her own recent divorce.
Cognitive Psychologist: Yes, but we are still not getting at the root of the
way she thinks and processes information. She excessively worries about
everything, not just her parent's divorce and her own.
Case
Sara is 35 year-old woman currently struggling with increasing pressure at
work and a recent divorce among many other things in her life. At the urging
of her friends and family, she sought counseling and was diagnosed with
Depression and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Sara has a tendency to worry
excessively about her children, money, friends, cat, and just about
everything else where other people might not find a reason to worry. At
work, she has trouble concentrating and is finding it difficult to perform at
her best. Her boss is putting more pressure on her to perform better and
meet sales goals for the quarter. In general, Sara feels like she is often on
edge, tense, exhausted and is very irritable, which has impacted her
everyday life. The amount of stress and anxiety Sara is experiencing in her
life is also contributing to her depression. She feels as though she is in a
vicious cycle she can't escape.
When Sara was in middle school, her parents argued a lot and she often
heard them talking about divorce. In high school, Sara's parents finally
followed through and divorced, which made Sara feel very alone and not in
control of her own life. She said that she still feels that she is not in control,
worries often, and can't control how she feels, despite her attempts.
Be sure to make connections between your ideas and conclusions and the
After reviewing the case below, choose two perspectives (neuroscience,
humanistic, cognitive, psychodynamic or behavioral) to create a short
dialogue between two psychologists discussing Sara's behavior. Feel free to
be creative in your dialogue! Define your two chosen perspectives and
briefly discuss the differences of each approach. What was one missing in
your dialogue from the case that the other helped to explain?
For example, what would a psychodynamic psychologist say about Sara's
behavior versus a cognitive psychologist? Your dialogue might look something
like this:
Psychodynamic Psychologist: Sara seems to be exhibiting these behaviors as
a result of unconscious thoughts and conflicts she may not be aware of.
Cognitive Psychologist: That could be true! But I think a possible cause of
Sara's anxiety could stem from the way she thinks about the world around
her. Her thinking is distorted and we should work to change that.
Psychodynamic Psychologist: Hmm... Sara's parents did get a divorce when
she was in high school, she could have possibly repressed those feelings
that are now coming to the surface from her own recent divorce.
Cognitive Psychologist: Yes, but we are still not getting at the root of the
way she thinks and processes information. She excessively worries about
everything, not just her parent's divorce and her own.
Case
Sara is 35 year-old woman currently struggling with increasing pressure at
work and a recent divorce among many other things in her life. At the urging
of her friends and family, she sought counseling and was diagnosed with
Depression and Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Sara has a tendency to worry
excessively about her children, money, friends, cat, and just about
everything else where other people might not find a reason to worry. At
work, she has trouble concentrating and is finding it difficult to perform at
her best. Her boss is putting more pressure on her to perform better and
meet sales goals for the quarter. In general, Sara feels like she is often on
edge, tense, exhausted and is very irritable, which has impacted her
everyday life. The amount of stress and anxiety Sara is experiencing in her
life is also contributing to her depression. She feels as though she is in a
vicious cycle she can't escape.
When Sara was in middle school, her parents argued a lot and she often
heard them talking about divorce. In high school, Sara's parents finally
followed through and divorced, which made Sara feel very alone and not in
control of her own life. She said that she still feels that she is not in control,
worries often, and can't control how she feels, despite her attempts.
Be sure to make connections between your ideas and conclusions and the
