SCHOOL OF PSYCHOLOGY

script async src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js">

SCHOOL OF PSYCHOLOGY

By

Prof.M.Thanga darwin

                           When psychology first emerged as a science separate from biology and philosophy, the debate over how to describe and explain the human mind and behaviour began. The different schools of psychology represent the major theories within psychology. The first school of thought, structuralism, was advocated by the founder of the first psychology lab, Wilhelm Wundt. Almost immediately, other theories began to emerge and vie for dominance in psychology. There are two major classification.

1.       Early school of psychology

2.       Modern school of psychology

1.       Early school of psychology

1. Structuralism:

Wilhelm Wundt (1832- 1920) Focused on the “inner working of the conciseness”.

                                    Structuralism is widely regarded 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.

2.Functionalism:

William James (1873 – 1954), Harvey Carr ( 1873 – 1954 ) and James Angell    ( 1869 – 1949 ) “what the mind and behaviour do”          

          Functionalism formed as a reaction to the theories of the structuralist school of thought and was heavily influenced by the work of William James. Unlike some of the other well-known schools of thought in psychology, functionalism is not associated with a single dominant theorist. Instead, there are some different functionalist thinkers associated with this outlook including John Dewey, James Rowland Angell, and Harvey Carr. Author David Hothersall notes, however, that some historians even question whether functionalism should be considered a formal school of psychology at all given its lack of a central leader or formalized set of ideas.

2. Modern school of psychology

1.Gestalt psychology:

                    Was found in Germany about 1912 by   Max Wertheimer (1880 – 1943) and  Kurt Koffka ( 1886 – 1941) Germany ward gestalt means “form “or “configuration”. Gestalt psychology 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 behaviour 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.

2.       Psychoanalysis’s:

                   It Was founded in Vienna, By the psychiatrist Sigmund Freud (1856 – 1938) , Freud's theory is referred to as psychodynamic theory of behaviour and mind. Freud believed that people could be cured by making conscious their unconscious thoughts and motivations, thus gaining insight. The aim of psychoanalysis therapy is to release repressed emotions and experiences, i.e. make the unconscious conscious. The aim of psychoanalysis therapy is to release repressed emotions and experiences, i.e. make the unconscious conscious. It is only having a cathartic (i.e. healing) experience can the person be helped and "cured". Psychoanalysis is a school of psychology founded by Sigmund Freud. Freud's school of thought was enormously influential, but also generated considerable debate. This controversy existed not only in his time, but also in modern discussions of Freud's theories. Other major psychoanalytic thinkers.

3. Behaviourism:

                  American psychologist John B. Watson 1878 – 1958, Ivan Pavlov. Psychology be restricted to study of behaviour. Relationship between Stimuli and Responses. Harvard university psychologist B.F. Skinner introduce the concept of “reinforcement” to behaviourism became a dominant school of thought during the 1950s. It was based upon the work of thinkers such as: Behaviourism suggests that all behaviour can be explained by environmental causes rather than by internal forces. Behaviourism is focused on observable behaviour. Theories of learning including classical conditioning and operant conditioning were the focus of a great deal of research the behavioural school of psychology had a significant influence on the course of psychology, and many of the ideas and techniques that emerged from this school of thought are still widely used today. Behavioural training, token economies, aversion therapy and other techniques are frequently used in psychotherapy and behaviour modification programs. This school of thought emphasized the influence of the unconscious mind on behaviour.

4. Humanistic psychology:

               Emerged in 1980 American psychologists       Carl Rogers (1902 – 1987)   ,  Rollo May  - 1909 and       Abraham Maslow 1916 . Focus on consciousness and self-awareness is also labelled phenomenological.

Humanistic psychology developed as a response to psychoanalysis and behaviourism. Humanistic psychology instead focused on individual free will, personal growth and the concept of self-actualization. While early schools of thought were primarily cantered on abnormal human behaviour, humanistic psychology differed considerably in its emphasis on helping people achieve and fulfil their potential. Major humanist thinkers include:  Abraham Maslow Carl Rogers Humanistic psychology remains quite popular today and has had a significant influence on other areas of psychology including positive psychology. This particular branch of psychology is cantered on helping people living happier, more fulfilling lives.