There are several methods available to us that are used in studying human behavior, naturalistic observation, correlation research, survey research, and the experimental method. If I were going to partake in a study that investigates the relationship between alcohol use and violence I would use the survey research method. I would use this method for several reasons with the foremost reason being I have used it in the past and I am familiar with how it works and it is the method that I personally prefer.

This method of research can be explained by using a study of human sexuality as an example. The guidelines for this type of research would be the same regardless of the topic rather it be human sexuality or investigating the relationship between alcohol and violence. The subject matter would only determine the population that would be targeted for the survey.

Surveys collect information about behavior through questionnaires or interviews with selected participants. Based on the type of survey or the topic of it, participants need to be categorizes to some degree in order to receive accurate results. This is comparable to the jury of our peer’s theory in court. It simply means that for the sake of accuracy there must be some similarities between the participants. This type of research is targeting similar responses in order to draw a conclusion as to what is common or where does the majority stand on the issue.

There are drawbacks to this method. Surveys require self-report from the participants; the surveyor is counting on the participants telling the truth. This is also where ethics play a role whereas if questions are posed that could bring embarrassment to the participant they are probably not going to answer completely honestly. The topic its self is important such as the example being used here, human sexuality. Many people may refuse to participate due to the subject matter therefore you may get a selection bias because the sample obtained may not be representative of the population you want to recognize (Molina 1999).

I have personally used the survey research method in the course of obtaining information for a book I was writing. The purpose of my study was to learn what the common bond between couples that have been married for twenty years or more is. Getting back to the importance of selecting participants for the sake of accuracy, I could not expect to learn this from recently married couples and getting back to the subject of ethics, I could not expect my survey to be accurate if I asked questions, questions of a personal nature, that the participants would be reluctant to answer.

Negative and positive reinforcement is an interesting prospect and it can be a little confusing as well. Positive reinforcement is relatively simple to understand, it is increasing the likelihood of a behavior because the subject received something they wanted for it but negative reinforcement can be harder to explain whereas it would be taking away something instead of giving, but what if the thing being taken away is unpleasant? This may seem confusing but it is easier to understand when we realize that negative reinforcement is not the same thing as punishment. An example of this would be spanking a child for trying to touch a hot stove. The spanking is less harmful than touching the stove and if this is explained during the process then the spanking is a negative reinforcement. However, if you simply spank the child with no explanation then it has become a punishment. The difference being that the negative reinforcement took something out of the equation, being burnt which is a bad thing but preventing it by spanking has positive results. This is the theory, which I happen to believe, that explains how negative things can be our best learning experiences (Gershoff 2002). Shaping is the process of what occurs through the use of negative and positive reinforcements. It is a conditioning tool that will determine if an action is likely to be repeated or not and this is determined by the consequences of the action. The consequences are either positive or negative.

An example of this for me personally would stem from years of drinking and its relation to legal problems. Of course one form of negative reinforcement would be jail and this is also an example of how negative reinforcement does not necessarily mean something bad has to happen. For me personally, going to jail was the beginning of the best thing that ever happened to me, sobriety which was the positive reinforcement. In this situation I could not have had one without the other. It can go deeper than this though whereas it doesn’t necessarily have to be a physical act taking place. For example, while I was drinking, and having one legal problem after another, I never had any peace of mind. If I were walking down a sidewalk and saw a police car drive by I would panic even though at the moment they were not looking for me, this was a form of negative reinforcement. It was the price I paid on a daily basis for the life I choose. Now that all of this turmoil is behind me I can see a police car and actually feel comfort because I know they are not looking for me; thus this is positive reinforcement, it is a positive consequence for the changes I have made.

Of course there are ethical considerations to be taking into account any time a particular behavior is being shaped or targeted. When discussing reinforcement rather it is positive or negative common sense must be present. For instance, we do not teach a child not to cross the street without looking both ways for traffic by pushing them in front of a car so they can see what could happen. Nor would rewarding someone by letting them do whatever they want to be considered positive. The Skinner box could be an example of ethics. B.F. Skinner coined the phrase Operant Behavior whereas a behavior was produced through the use of reinforcement. The Skinner box was designed to hold small animals where they could be observed and their actions recorded with the use of positive and negative reinforcement (Schacter, Gilbert & Wegner 2009). Of course this procedure would not have been considered ethical had he built a bigger box and experimented on humans. Today it probably would be considered unethical to use animals in such an experiment.

Of the theories of psychological thought I would say the theory that has the most influence on me personally would be Behavioral Psychology or Behaviorism. This theory is based on the idea that all behaviors are learned and they are learned through the consequences of past experiences. This involves reinforcement and the type of reinforcement largely depends on how we view an experience and the consequences, either favorable or unfavorable. This will determine how we act or react in a similar situation later in life. This particular theory comes to mind mostly because I am in recovery and because of what I have learned about recovery. The key to prolonged sobriety for me has been the ability to make changes in my life style. By changing our activities, or in my case lifestyle, and practicing these changes through repetition, I eventually have an entirely new routine that for me has become normal. I believe we are, or become, what we do. We also have to consider environmental issues as well when we think of our learned behaviors. For instance, from whom did we learn, why did we adopt it as our own, and where did we learn it?

Although I listed Behaviorism as the most influential theory to me, I cannot talk about positive change, as it applies to me, without mentioning Cognitive Psychology which focuses on our internal states such as problem solving skills as well as decision making skills which are also based, in most cases, on past experiences. Basically what worked or didn’t work before (about.com: Psychology 2009).

I believe we all know what we think and feel about any given circumstance or situation in life but by studying these theories, the two mentioned in particular, I have learned why I feel and think the way I do. By having an understanding of this I am more likely to use this information in my own decision making processes. I have a better understanding of how action begets reactions and therefore I am less likely to create situations for myself that will have unfavorable circumstances.

Anxiety disorders are the most common psychological disorder and they affect more than 20 million Americans. There are different types of anxiety disorders and several that are directly related to stress although it can also be triggered by genetic predisposition. They include: Panic disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, or Social Phobia, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

If I was a counselor and I was tasked with identifying a particular anxiety disorder I would consider the symptoms. If the symptoms were racing heartbeat, difficulty breathing, terror, dizziness or nausea, trembling, sweating, shaking, chest pains, hot flashes or chills, tingling in toes and/or fingers, and fears of going crazy or death I would diagnose panic disorder. Because the origin of these disorders are hard to pin point I would suggest a treatment plan that involves all aspects of treatment; physical, psychological, and physiological. If the symptoms were primarily physical such as palpitations, tremors, sweating, diarrhea, confusion, and blushing I would believe the disorder to be social anxiety or social phobia. Medications along with therapy and self help techniques can be used in treating this disorder but changing life style can also be affective. For example, quitting smoking and cutting down on caffeine use can help as well as cutting down on alcohol use.

The third disorder to be discussed is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or (PTSD). This is by no means only associated with the military although for obvious reasons military activities can cause this disorder. PTSD can sometimes be confused or misdiagnosed as Bipolar Disorder due to some similarity in symptoms such as irritability and outburst of anger but there are specific symptoms that are unique to PTSD. These symptoms include: Re-experiencing an event, Avoidance behavior, Loss of interest in surroundings, Hypersensitivity including inability to sleep, anxious feelings and Overactive startle response. Treatment for PTSD can include cognitive behavioral therapy, group therapy, exposure therapy, and medication (HealthyPlace.com 2009).