The Five Viewpoints Yielding Psychological Practice and Truth: A Review of Johnson

Recommended APA 7th Edition Citation:

Grinev, L. (2024, June 14). The five viewpoints yielding psychological practice and truth: A review of Johnson. In Articles. WellnessToday180. https://wellnesstoday180.net/blog#articles

Beginning with the levels-of-explanation view, Johnson (2010) described this viewpoint as embracing all levels of reality, whether biological, physical, social, or theological, as important and can be studied by unique investigation methods. However, each level of reality contains their own respective boundaries, meaning realities cannot be fused (Johnson, 2010). In other words, intersectionality is not a possibility in the levels-of-explanation view (Johnson, 2010). For example, Johnson (2010) presented that there are sharp distinctions between psychology and theology, thus psychology and theology act as their own disciplines in the levels-of-explanation view.

The integration view embodies a more interdisciplinary integration based on naturalism and secular humanism (Johnson, 2010). As a result, the integration view is more open to modern psychology (Johnson, 2010). Applications of the integration view can be seen in biblical-based psychology and incorporations of Christian worldviews within sciences, such as integration-based treatment (Johnson, 2010). The objective of the integrative approach is to combine psychological science with professional practice and resources of God to yield favoring applied or scientific practices (Johnson, 2010).

As for the Christian psychology view, this view is rooted in the caring of souls through alternative paradigms, not secular models of therapy (Johnson, 2010). In the Christian psychological view, the actions and conceptions of human nature can be explained and transformed using teachings from biblical scripture (Johnson, 2010). Following psychological reflection techniques recommended from the Christian psychology view, moral functioning (i.e., well-being) of persons can increase (Johnson, 2010). However, belief and virtues may need to be instilled into an individual through therapeutic interventions to yield desired well-being outcomes (Johnson, 2010).

Then, the transformational psychology view elicits spiritual formation and direction through ethical, experimental, personal, and spiritual matters by rediscovering and redesigning traditional ways of thinking of psychology in relation to psychology (Johnson, 2010). However, such spiritual formation and direction from the transformational psychology view challenges naturalistic and reductionistic traditions (Johnson, 2010). Nevertheless, the foundation of the transformational psychology view can be described as within tradition, having a central vision of doing psychology anew in the Spirit, being grounded in reality and the realities of faith, including in psychology and a single, unified vision of reality of faith, and having commitment to a non-naturalistic methodology in science and psychology (Johnson, 2010). Altogether, the transformational psychology view aims to present psychology as a descriptive and prescriptive science (Johnson, 2010).

Finally, the biblical counseling view proposes that Christian faith is a psychology and Christian ministry acts as a psychotherapy (Johnson, 2010). With constructive and intentional conversation, the biblical counseling view discloses the intentions and thoughts of the heart in which biblical scripture is used to interpret and nurture such intentions and thoughts (Johnson, 2010). An exploration of human nature through the biblical counseling view unveils a person’s worldview, motives, and schemata inclusive of core assumptions and unintentional intentions (i.e., sin; Johnson, 2010). Through an openness to experience and self-examination, transformative mutual counseling provides a person with constructive wisdom towards desired change (Johnson, 2010).

Viewpoint Differences

Similarities exist between all but the levels-of-explanation view in that biblical scripture is inscribed into respective applications. However, the Christian psychology, biblical counseling, and integration views emphasize the importance of biblical scripture, almost centralizing biblical scripture, in applications. In contrast, transformational psychology views only consider biblical scripture as needed. The levels-of-explanation view acknowledges but makes biblical scripture distinct from other disciplines, meaning there is the potential of absence of biblical scripture in the levels-of-explanation view. In other words, biblical scripture is integrated in Christian psychology, biblical counseling, and integration views, whereas biblical scripture acts as an intersectional resource within the transformational psychology view.

The significance of application and research between the five views can also be inferred. For example, the levels-of-explanation and integration views are more arguably concerned with research. Comparatively, the Christian psychology, biblical counseling, and transformational psychology views are more concerned with application, particularly with increasing well-being through interpersonal communications and interactions. Thus, the levels-of-explanation and integration views act more as theoretical foundations for empirical applications rather sociopsychological approaches.

These differences may be rooted in sources of knowledge for each viewpoint. For the levels-of-explanation view, perspectivism acts as a source of knowledge (Johnson, 2010). Naturalism and secular humanism are the sources of knowledge for the integration view (Johnson, 2010). Logical positivism and radical reformation perspectives inform the Christian psychology view (Johnson, 2010). Evangelical and integrated approaches provide knowledge for the transformational psychology view (Johnson, 2010). Biblical scripture is the ultimate source of knowledge for the biblical counseling view (Johnson, 2010).

These sources of knowledge prelude the primary allegiance of the viewpoints. Empiricism is vital to the levels-of-explanation view. Christian theology is essential to Christian psychology and biblical counseling views. Yet, empiricism and Christian theology are both fundamental to the integration and transformational psychology views.

Furthermore, these sources of knowledge predetermine whether these viewpoints are critical or trusting or yield distinct or universal understanding. As such, the levels-of-explanation and Christian psychology views are critical, and integration, transformational psychology, and biblical counseling views are trusting. Correspondingly, the levels-of-explanation and Christian psychology views yield distinct understanding, and integration, transformational psychology, and biblical counseling views yield universal understanding.

Reference

Johnson, E. L. (Ed.). (2010). Psychology and Christianity: Five views. InterVarsity Press.