COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF CORE PSYCHOLOGICAL THEORIES
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PSYCHODYNAMIC
Psychodynamic is a theory that attempts to understand a person’s instincts, panics, and unconscious cognitive makeup while being the focal point on the character as an involved interaction of conscious and unconscious reasons, concepts, and emotions (Twenge & Campbell, 2019, p. 7 &142). The psychodynamic theory can be detected in the work of philosophers Schopenhauer and Nietzsche, as well as in the work of Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung (Twenge & Campbell, 2019, p. 7, 143, & 144).
Key concepts of psychodynamic theory include:
Primary focus is on the interaction and conflict between the conscious and the unconscious
Core belief is that the id (or “the unconscious”), the ego (or “the conscious”), and the superego (or “the strict and demanding part of the mind”)
The foundation of early childhood integration with the parent/caregiver plays a role in activating successful early childhood developmental stages and avoiding delay in development
Why does the psychodynamic theory matter in the psychology field?
The psychodynamic approach helps others to identify trigger responses that are related to the conscious and/or unconscious mind. Proper analysis and evaluation in early childhood help to set a foundation for an effective cognitive, social-emotional, and physical growth plan regarding the different stages of progress. This helps psychologists gear the typical and atypical child or adult to advance in development.
How can psychodynamic theory be understood in personality development?
The behaviors of the unconscious mind can exhibit unrealized trauma hidden from childhood and/or adult conflict, causing stable and evolved behaviors not be reasoned in the conscious mind.
HUMANISTIC
Humanistic psychology focuses on independence, innovation, and human ability (Twenge & Campbell, 2019, p. 185). Thriving in the middle of the 1940’s and early 1970’s and commonly used in counseling and psychotherapy, the humanistic theory uses a holistic approach, with a concentration on the maturation of human possibilities through exploratory measures rather than the examination of the unconscious of behavior (APA, 2026).
Key concepts of humanistic theory include:
Focus on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, believing that self-actualization is the most important but harder to obtain due to all other needs being a priority
The comparison of individualism, which values the essentials of oneself over a group, versus collectivism, where the worth of a group is more valuable than oneself
Positive psychology, which focuses on the goal of living a superior and elated existence
Why does the humanistic theory matter in the psychology field?
Individuals understanding that they have free will to make choices on their own can realize that they do not have to be bound to their childhood trauma and/or choices that were made for them. Once a person becomes understanding of their present condition and how to escape any trauma-related behavior, they have the choice to lead a purpose-driven life, which helps psychologists manifest self-help tools in need.
How can humanistic theory be understood in personality development?
All of the needs on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs lead up to self-actualization, which was researched to represent the most important stages, but would fail to be accomplished if not all other needs are met, making it a servant of the other four pyramid ranks. Furthermore, having a higher level and prosperous life relies on a person’s choice to be their internal influencer and/or allow outside influence.
BEHAVIORAL
Behavioral therapy emphasizes outward behavior rather than its underlying reasons (Twenge & Campbell, 2019, p. 209), leading to the development of methods to alter actions, including strengthening, streamlining interactions, and displaying behaviors to help patients control pain, discernment, and tension, thereby enhancing the overall sense of well-being (NIH, 2024). Behavioral therapy is rooted in behaviorism, founded by Ivan Pavlov and John B. Watson, who studied stimulus-response relationships (NIH, 2024).
Key concepts of behavioral theory include:
Focus on social learning and how humans learn from others' actions
Classical conditioning, which links two stimuli not usually associated
Operant conditioning, involving rewards and discipline to shape behavior
Positive reinforcement (benefits or stimuli) and negative reinforcement (behaving well for a desirable outcome) regarding good and bad behavior
Why does the behavioral theory matter in the psychology field?
The behavioral theory core is that the environment shapes a person’s behavior. Through nature and nurture, a person can be shaped cognitively, socially, emotionally, and physically. Understanding that the cognitive mind can be atmosphere-molded to changing thoughts makes it promising to reinvent mind altering surrounding that help psychologists set the stage for character growth.
How can behavioral theory be understood in personality development?
Diversity of the environment is a result of diversity in the world. The sequence of events in a person’s surroundings can cause their character to have flaws and be managed with or without them even knowing.
BIOLOGICAL
The biological theory believes that psychiatric issues stem from the anatomy of the brain (Rice University, 2026). The focus is if genetics and environment, or both, play a role in a person’s personality (Twenge & Campbell, 2019).
Key concepts of biological psychology include:
Focuses on the biological mother and father’s genetics
Connects the developmental process related to a shared environment (a child growing up with the same parents) and a nonshared environment (distinctive ordeals and environmental influences)
Explains how a person behaves based on the influence of hormones
Why does the biological theory matter in the psychology field?
Biological theory addresses whether genetics and environment are the main influences on a person’s personality. It underlines the connection to development and how certain stages mature regarding cognitive, social-emotional, and physical development, helping those in the psychology field create next-step actions.
How can biological theory be understood in personality development?
Understanding a person's surroundings and genetics, including their shared and nonshared environment, helps to recognize what genes and non-genetic abilities are influencing their personality.
Behavioral Theory’s Effect on Industrial and Organizational Psychology
Key examples are:
Improving the welfare of employees by:
Promote an inclusive work environment
Providing mental health advocacy as a stress management tool
Increase the production of employees by:
Making sure that the employees’ best interests align with the company's goals
Overseeing, handling, monitoring, and regulating behaviors that are ethical and respectful of its employees and clients
UNDERSTANDING SELF AND OTHERS THROUGH THE BEHAVIORAL THEORY
I believe that to first understand someone, we must first understand their culture, environment, and any known trauma. I also believe that the mind can sometimes hide memories that were related to trauma, resulting in a person not understanding why or not knowing that their actions are unethical or in error. This can make it a challenge to understand others and even oneself. However, the behavior of a person alone can help evaluate the cause of their actions from previous evaluations of those who have long-term memory of their trauma, who exhibit similar behavior to those of unconscious behaviors. Evaluations can help discover the reason why certain things may spark someone to generate positive and negative actions.
Reference
APA. (2026). humanistic psychology
NIH. (2024, November 13th). Behavioral Therapy.
Rice University. (2026). 2.5 Biological Theories and Therapies
Twenge, J. M., & Campbell, W. K. (2019). Personality Psychology (2nd ed.). PearsonEducation (US).
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Can the unconscious mind be revealed is dreams?
I believe that dreams can unfold layers of the unconscious
