Schools of Psychology

In Psychology, there are about 5 major schools that helps us students and influence our knowledge and understanding in Psychology. The Structuralism, Functionalism, Psychoanalysis, Gestalt and Behaviorism.

Structuralism was the first school of Psychology, and focused on breaking down mental processes into the most basic components. Major structuralist thinkers include Wilhelm Wundt the father of Psychology and Edward Titchener. The focus of structuralism was on reducing mental processes down into their most basic elements. Structuralists used techniques such as introspection to analyze the inner processes of the human mind. It is simply the school which is focused on the structure of the human brain.

Functionalism is the school of Psychology which is focused and concerned on the functions of the human brain.Functionalism formed as a reaction to the theories of the structuralist school of thought and was heavily influenced by the work of William James. Major functionalist thinkers included John Dewey and Harvey Carr. Instead of focusing on the mental processes themselves, functionalist thinkers were instead interested in the role that these processes play. It also influenced by the evolutionary theory of Charles Darwin. Functionalists sought to explain the mental processes in a more systematic and accurate manner.

Psychoanalysis is a school of Psychology founded by Sigmund Freud. This school of thought emphasizes the influence of the unconscious mind on behavior. Freud believed that the human mind was composed of three elements: the ID, the Ego and the Superego. The ID is composed of primal urges, while the ego is the component of personality charged with dealing with reality. The Superego is part of personality that holds all of the ideals and values we internalize from our parents and culture. Freud believed that the interaction of these three elements was what led to all of the complex human behaviors.

Gestalt is a school of Psychology based upon the idea that we experience things as unified wholes. This approach to Psychology began in Germany and Austria during the late 19th century in response to the molecular approach of structuralism. Instead of breaking down thoughts and behavior to their smallest elements, the gestalt psychologists believed that you must look at the whole of experience. According to the gestalt thinkers, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Behaviorism suggests that all behavior can be explained by environmental causes rather than by internal forces. Behaviorism is focused on observable behavior. Theories of learning including classical conditioning and operant conditioning were the focus of a great deal of research.

In these different schools of Psychology, there are areas or divisions. These are:

1. Physiological Psychology
2. Comparative Psychology
3. Genetic Psychology
4. Experimental Psychology
5. Competitive Psychology
6. Developmental Psychology
7. Personality Psychology
8. Abnormal Psychology
9. Clinical Psychology
10. Counseling Psychology
11. Educational Psychology
12. Social Psychology
13. Industrial Psychology

Psychology can be expressed as a symbol of trident.

                                          .