Branches of Psychology

branch of psychology

widely accepted (present or past) theories as to the origin of human behavior

psychodynamic/psychoanalytic

the origin of human behavior is unconscious drives and memories; only branch that focuses on the “unconscious mind”

Sigmund Freud

founder of the psychoanalytic branch of psychology

unconscious mind

past experiences that cannot be accessed by the conscious mind

examples of the unconscious mind

trauma, secrets, desires, embarrassing memories

cognitive

human behavior comes from thought processes; the perception of one’s environment influences behavior in that environtment; very widely accepted in the present day

behavioral

behavior is a result of learning observed behaviors or conditioning through rewards and punishment

humanistic

human behavior is motivated by the inherent desire to improve oneself; leads to a desire for social acceptance

biological

behavior comes from genetics, anatomy, and the structure of one’s brain/nervous system

social/cultural

behavior is motivated by knowledge of cultural norms of one’s current or childhood environment

evolutionary

behavior is motivated by survival of the fittest