AP Psychology Schools of Psychology

Structuralism - Wilhelm Wundt

School of psychology that used introspection to explore the human mind

Wundt wanted to know the structure of the mind

Functionalism - William James

School of psychology that focused on how our mental and behavioral processes function; how they enable us to adapt, survive and flourish

Psychodynamic - Sigmund Freud

Studies how unconscious drives and conflicts influence behavior, and uses that information to treat people with psychological disorders

Gestalt

Emphasizes that we often perceive the whole rather than the sum of the parts

Emphasized total experience of the individual

Behaviorism

View that psychology should be an objective science that studies behavior without reference to mental processes

Most research psychologists don’t agree with the second part

Should only study observable, verifiable events

B.F. skinner expanded behaviorism

Humanistic

Emphasized the growth potential of healthy people and the individual's potential for personal growth

Recognizes importance of love, self esteem, belonging, and self-actualization

Cognitive

Study of mental processes

Some areas of study: thinking, learning, feeling, memory, decision-making, etc.

Positive

Study of positive aspects of human life, such as happiness, well-being and flourishing.

Focus on positive attitude

Behavioral Genetics

How does genetic makeup influence our behavior?