Psychology is a multifaceted science with numerous schools of thought that have contributed to its evolution. Each of these schools has its own distinct viewpoints, beliefs, and approaches. In this article, we will look at the seven major schools of thought in psychology and how they have influenced our knowledge of human behavior.
- Structuralism
Wilhelm Wundt founded structuralism, psychology's first school of thought, in 1879. Structuralism sought to understand the structure of the mind by breaking down mental processes into their fundamental components. This method used introspection, a technique in which people watch and report on their own experiences, to comprehend the fundamental components of consciousness.
Despite its flaws, structuralism influenced the development of experimental psychology and laid the groundwork for subsequent schools of thinking.
- Functionalism
Functionalism, created by William James, arose in contrast to structuralism. According to functionalism, it is impossible to analyze the structure of the mind because it is dynamic. Rather than focusing on the structure of the mind, functionalism sought to investigate the mind's function and how its components interact to adapt to changing contexts.
Functionalism highlighted the significance of individual differences and how they influence mental processes, resulting in a more methodical and precise understanding of mental processes.
- Psychoanalysis
Sigmund Freud founded psychoanalysis, one of the most well-known schools of thinking in psychology. Psychoanalysis posits that unconscious thoughts and early experiences drive behavior. Freud believed that personality emerges in early childhood and divided the mind into conscious, subconscious, and unconscious portions.
Psychoanalysis has made important contributions to the area of psychology, with many of its theories still applied in patient care and behavioral research.
- Humanistic Psychology
Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow established humanistic psychology, which focuses on the individual as a whole. Humanistic psychology holds that people are naturally peaceful and capable of making their own judgments. This school of thought emphasized the importance of studying individuals through the eyes of the person performing the behavior, rather than as onlookers.
Humanistic psychology has given rise to a new branch of psychology known as positive psychology, which studies the positive elements of human conduct.
- Behaviorism
B.F. Skinner and John Watson established behaviorism, which emphasizes that behavior is acquired via experience and observation. According to behaviorism, internal processes have little influence on behavior, and behavior may be modified and altered through learning.
Behaviorism was the dominant school of thought for half a century, and its theories and concepts are still extensively applied today.
- Cognitive Psychology
Cognitive psychology emerged in the 1950s, emphasizing the influence of internal mental processes on behavior. Cognitive psychologists believe that cognitive processes including perception, attention, and memory have an impact on behavior.
Albert Bandura, one of the most well-known cognitive psychologists, established the social learning theory.
- Gestalt Psychology
Gestalt psychology, created by Max Wertheimer, investigated human behavior as a whole, emphasizing that the whole is greater than the sum of its components. Gestalt psychology was the first school of thought to develop psychological laws, such as the laws of closure and similarity.
Combining the Approaches
While each school of thought has its own perspective and theories, no school is inherently good or bad. Today, psychology has taken an eclectic approach, combining several schools of thought to gain a more thorough knowledge of human behavior.
Conclusion
Psychology's seven major schools of thought have all made significant contributions to the field's progress. From structuralism to cognitive psychology, each paradigm has provided a unique viewpoint on the human mind and behavior.
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