1. Which level of psychological analysis is the most convincing to you? Explain why.
Although I see
possibilities in other viewpoints, I find that the cognitive view holds the
best analysis in the case of Andrea Yates. Andrea Yates' explanation in
the murder of her children was to save them from "burning in
hell" because they "weren't developing correctly." The cognitive
view, described by our textbook, states that this perspective emphasizes
on mental processes such as learning, memory, perception and thinking as forms
of information processing. About a month prior to Andrea Yates murdering her
children she had been taken off her anti-psychotic medication. So if Yates is
in fact insane, and our actions are greatly influenced by the way we process
information then the cognitive perspective would prove her not guilty by
insanity.
2. What important
principle might this case reveal about the nature of psychology?
I believe this case reveals the broad possibilities in the
explanations of the human mind and behavior ESPECIALLY while looking
at mental disorders and their driving forces. Genetics, mental processes, free
will, consciousness, unconsciousness, and the environment are
all possible factors that should be considered in the examination
of ones mental state. These factors are why many viewpoints can hold
potential in an accurate diagnosis.
