PSYC 290 Week 1 Major Perspectives of Psychology in Everyday Life
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Chamberlain University
PSYC-290 Lifespan Development
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Date
Week 1 Assignment: Major Perspectives of Psychology in Everyday Life
This week’s learning introduced five major perspectives in psychology: psychoanalytic/psychodynamic, behavioral, humanistic, cognitive, and neuroscientific/biopsychological (Chamberlain University, 2019). Each of these perspectives offers distinct insight into human behavior and decision-making. A relevant and highly publicized example to illustrate these perspectives is the decision by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle—the Duke and Duchess of Sussex—to step down from their roles as senior members of the British Royal Family. By exploring their decision through psychological lenses, we can better understand how internal processes and environmental factors influence human behavior.
Overview
In 2020, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced that they would step back from their royal duties and begin a new chapter as financially independent individuals. Their public statement, released through Instagram, stated:
“After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution… We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support Her Majesty The Queen” (Bruner & McCluskey, 2020, p. 1).
Their decision sparked widespread public discourse, with varying opinions. Some argued that Meghan was creating distance between Prince Harry and his family, while others supported their desire for privacy and autonomy. To understand the motivations behind such a major life decision, we can apply psychological perspectives.
Behavioral Perspective
According to the behavioral perspective, human actions are largely shaped by environmental stimuli and learned behaviors. Behaviorists believe that people can be conditioned to behave in certain ways due to past reinforcements or punishments. From this viewpoint, the Sussexes’ decision may have been influenced by the overwhelming media scrutiny they experienced as royals. Constant public attention, criticism from tabloids, and lack of personal space may have served as negative stimuli, conditioning them to seek a more private and self-directed life away from the royal spotlight.
A behavioral psychologist might argue that external stressors, such as media invasion and royal obligations, led the couple to withdraw from their traditional roles regardless of societal expectations or criticism. The behavior is a response to a hostile environment, not a rejection of family or tradition.
Cognitive Perspective
Cognitive psychology focuses on internal mental processes such as perception, memory, and expectation. In this case, Meghan Markle’s upbringing outside of royalty likely shaped her cognitive framework, including her values and expectations of family life. Unlike Prince Harry, Meghan did not grow up in a royal environment, and therefore may have had different expectations for privacy, parenting, and autonomy.
From a cognitive standpoint, Meghan’s decision may be understood as a reflection of her internal beliefs—that raising her children outside the royal bubble aligns better with her values. A cognitive psychologist would emphasize that her thoughts, feelings, and expectations about privacy, independence, and public exposure played a crucial role in influencing the couple’s decision to step back.
Comparative Table: Behavioral vs. Cognitive Perspective
| Perspective | Key Focus | Application to Sussexes’ Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Behavioral | Observable behavior influenced by environmental stimuli | Media pressure and public scrutiny shaped decision to leave royal duties |
| Cognitive | Internal thoughts, feelings, and expectations | Meghan’s different upbringing influenced her preference for privacy and autonomy |
Conclusion
The decision by Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to step back from royal life reflects complex psychological influences. Through the behavioral lens, their choice appears as a conditioned response to overwhelming external stressors. Meanwhile, the cognitive perspective highlights Meghan’s personal expectations and prior experiences as central to the couple’s desire for a new lifestyle. While public opinion may vary—with some accusing Meghan of pulling Harry away from his family—psychological theories suggest a broader and deeper understanding of their motivations. Ultimately, the interplay between environment and cognition sheds light on why individuals make transformative life decisions.
References
Bruner, R., & McCluskey, M. (2020, January 13). Prince Harry, Meghan Markle Step Down: Everything We Know. TIME. https://time.com/5761547/prince-harry-meghanmarkle-step-back-senior-royals/
Chamberlain University. (2019). Lesson 1. Retrieved from https://chamberlain.instructure.com/courses/55959/pages/week-1-lesson-introduction-research-and-biological-foundations?module_item_id=7259100
PSYC 290 Week 1 Major Perspectives of Psychology in Everyday Life
Daniels, N. (2020, January 10). What Do You Think About Prince Harry and Meghan ‘Stepping Back’? The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/10/learning/what-do-you-think-about-prince-harry-and-meghan-stepping-back.html