Unit 7: Psychological Perspectives for Health and Social Care

2. OCR Level 3Cambridge Technicalsin Health and Social Care Introduction to Unit 7: Psychological Perspectives for Health and Social Care

3. Introduction Human nature can be investigated and explained in a variety of different ways. Health and social care practitioners need to be aware of these different perspectives in psychology because they can influence how we understand a person’s behaviour and how we respond to them.

4. Perspectives in psychology The key psychological perspectives are: Psychodynamic The role of early childhood experiences on our development and later life. Behavioural Humanist How we learn behaviours and respond to stimuli. A holistic approach to human health through investigations of meaning, personal responsibility and self-actualisation. Biological Social The role of genetics and the Central Nervous System. The impact of others on our behaviour. Cognitive How we process, remember and store information.

5. Perspectives in psychology It is important that health and social care practitioners understand how these different perspectives can influence an individual’s health and wellbeing. They can each play a role in informing the practitioner how best to help their clients, eg: Biological: Does our physiology and our genetic make up affect our health and behaviours? Social:Does our family and friends’ approach to health and illness have an impact on our attitudes and decisions? Psychodynamic:Have past experiences with health or illness shaped the way we behave?

6. What will you learn? After completing this unit you will: Understand psychological approaches to heath and social care Understand key psychological perspectives

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