Schools of Psychology: The 7 Main Schools of Thought

When psychology first emerged as a science separate from biology and philosophy, the debate over how to describe and explain the human mind and behavior began. The main schools of psychology are structuralism, functionalism, Gestalt, behaviorism, psychoanalysis, humanism, and cognitivism.

The different schools of psychology represent the major theories within the field of psychological science. In the past, psychologists often identified themselves exclusively with one single school of thought. Today, most psychologists have an eclectic outlook on psychology. They often draw on ideas and theories from different schools rather than holding to any singular perspective.

1. Structuralism:

• Focuses on breaking down mental processes into their most basic components.
• Associated major thinkers: Wilhelm Wundt and Edward Titchener.
• Methods: Introspection, experimental self-observation.
• Contribution: Emphasized the importance of empirical methods in psychology.

2. Functionalism:

• Focuses on the role and function of mental processes rather than their elements.
• Associated major thinkers: William James, John Dewey, James Rowland Angell, Harvey Carr.
• Methods: Observation, experimentation, case studies.
• Contribution: Pioneered the study of the mind-body relationship and emphasized the importance of adapting to the environment.

3. Gestalt Psychology:

• Focuses on the perception of wholes rather than individual elements within them.
• Associated major thinkers: Max Wertheimer, Wolfgang Köhler, Kurt Koffka.
• Methods: Observation, experimentation, phenomenology.
• Contribution: Highlighted the importance of perception and the influence of context on behavior.

4. Behaviorism:

• Focuses on observable behavior and the role of environmental factors in shaping behavior.
• Associated major thinkers: John B. Watson, Ivan Pavlov, B. F. Skinner.
• Methods: Observation, experimentation, operant conditioning, classical conditioning.
• Contribution: Pioneered the study of learning and behavior modification through reinforcement and punishment techniques.

5. Psychoanalysis:

• Focuses on the role of the unconscious mind and early childhood experiences in shaping behavior and personality.
• Associated major thinkers: Sigmund Freud, Anna Freud, Otto Rank, Erik Erikson, Alfred Adler, Karen Horney.
• Methods: Free association, dream analysis, interpretation of slips of the tongue.
• Contribution: Introduced the concepts of the id, ego, superego, and unconscious motivation.

6. Humanistic Psychology:

• Focuses on the individual's potential for growth, self-actualization, and free will.
• Associated major thinkers: Abraham Maslow, Carl Rogers, Clark Moustakas.
• Methods: Client-centered therapy, self-reflection, phenomenology.
• Contribution: Emphasized the importance of subjective experience, personal growth, and meaning-making.

7. Cognitive Psychology:

• Focuses on mental processes such as thinking, perceiving, remembering, and decision-making.
• Associated major thinkers: Jean Piaget, Lev Vygotsky, George Miller, Herbert Simon.
• Methods: Observation, experimentation, cognitive tasks, brain imaging.
• Contribution: Pioneered the study of information processing and the role of cognitive processes in behavior.

Conclusion:

Each of these schools of thought has contributed to our understanding of psychology and human behavior in unique ways. Today, many psychologists draw upon insights from multiple schools to create a more comprehensive understanding of the human mind and behavior.