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Schools of Thought
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Structuralism
Structuralism is generally thought of as the first school of thought in psychology. This outlook focused on breaking down mental processes into the most basic components. Major thinkers associated with structuralism include Wilhelm Wundt and Edward Titchener. The focus of structuralism was on reducing mental processes down into their most basic elements. The structuralists used techniques such as introspection to analyze the inner processes of the human mind. -
Functionalism
Functionalism stressed the importance of consciousness and behavior. Functionalism addresses society as a whole in terms of the function of its constituent elements; namely norms, customs, traditions and institutions. William James is the main person credited as the founder of functionalism the 1890s. Darwin's theory of evolution influenced this school's methodology. Functionalism was utilitarian and concerned with commonsense issues. Functionalism was so successful that newer fields of psych -
Inheritable Traits
Sir Fancis Galton, a nineteenth century English mathematician and scientist, wanted to understand how heredity influences a person's abilities, character, and behavior. Galton concluded that genius or eminence is a hereditary trait. Galton did not consider the possibility that the tendency of genius to run in distinguished families might be a result of the exceptional environments and socioeconomic advantages that also tend to surround such families. -
Gestalt
Gestalt psychology is a school of psychology based upon the idea that we experience things as unified wholes. According to the gestalt thinkers, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. This approach to psychology began in Germany and Austria during the 1920s in response to the molecular approach of structuralism. The person instrumental to the development of Gestalt psychology was Max Wertheimer. He made a keen observation we now refer to as "phi phenomenon," which is basically the il -
Psychoanalysis
Psychoanalysis was founded by Sigmund Freud. It was thought of as a kind of technique in psychotherapy. It is a general psychology of human behavior. There are six assumptions that show the main ideas of psychoanalytic theory. One is that unconscious mental processes exist. The second is all human behavior is motivated and purposeful. Third, past experiences influence current changes and reactions. Forth, personality functioning is very complex and can be understood through the Id, -
Behaviorism
Behaviorism was the primary paradigm in psychology between 1920s to 1950 Behaviorism was a major change from previous theoretical perspectives, rejecting the emphasis on both the conscious and unconscious mind. Instead, behaviorism strove to make psychology a more scientific discipline by focusing purely on observable behavior. It was based upon the work of thinkers such as: John B. Watson, Ivan Pavlov, and B. F. Skinner. -
Humanism
Modern humanistic psychology emerged in about the mid-1950s but has been traced back to the middle ages. Humanistic psychology developed as a response to psychoanalysis and behaviorism. But humanistic psychology focused on individual free will, personal growth and the concept of self-actualization. Major humanist thinkers were Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers. -
Cognitive
Cognitive psychology began to emerge during the 1950s, partly as a response to behaviorism. One of the most influential theories from this school of thought was the stages of cognitive development theory proposed by Jean Piaget. Studies mental processes including how people think, perceive, remember and learn. It is related to other disciplines including neuroscience, philosophy and linguistics. It explicitly acknowledges the existence of internal mental states. -
Cross-Cultural
Cross-cultural is a school of thought that studies the effects of culture on behavior and mental processes. The main focus is on the similarities and differences in psychological functioning across cultures and ethnic groups. Cross-cultural psychology was established in the 1970s and it has continued to grow and develop since then.
