ITP - Major Schools of Psychology

Structuralism

aimed to break down mental processes into their most basic components. It relied on introspection, where participants reported their conscious thoughts and sensations.

Functionalism

emphasized the purpose or function of mental processes, exploring how they help individuals adapt to their environment. It was more interested in the "why" and "how" of behavior rather than the "what."

Psychoanalysis

focused on the unconscious mind and how unconscious desires, conflicts, and childhood experiences shape behavior. Freud proposed that unconscious processes (id, ego, and superego) govern much of human behavior.

Behaviorism

emphasized observable behavior rather than mental processes. It argued that behavior is learned through interactions with the environment, particularly through conditioning (classical and operant).

Gestalt Psychology

emphasized that the mind perceives objects as whole forms rather than as a collection of parts. It proposed that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts in perception.

Humanistic Psychology

focused on personal growth, free will, and self-actualization. It emphasized the positive aspects of human nature and the inherent potential for self-improvement.

Cognitive Psychology

studies mental processes such as perception, memory, problem-solving, and language. It views the mind as an information processor, like a computer.

Biopsychology (Biological Psychology)

examines the biological basis of behavior, including how brain structures, neurotransmitters, and genetics influence actions and mental processes.

Evolutionary Psychology

examines how natural selection and evolutionary processes have shaped human behavior and mental traits. It looks at adaptive behaviors that have evolved to enhance survival and reproduction.

Social-Cultural Psychology

This school emphasizes how social and cultural environments influence behavior and thought processes. It considers societal norms, roles, and expectations.