Approaches to the Study of Behavior

Structuralism Functionalism Gestalt Psychology Psychoanalytic Psychology Behaviouristic Psychology Humanistic Psychology

Structuralism Wilhelm Wundt & Edward Tichener Structuralist because they were interested in the anatomy of the structure of conscious process. Structuralism emphasizes classifying sensations to discover the mind’s structure. Elementary mental states such as sensation, images and feelings are considered to form the structure of the consciousness. *Took cues from biologist, physicist, etc. If they can breakdown matters into simple atomic structure, why cant they do so with the brain? **But relied too much on introspection that it became subjective. If you look at a certain picture, or something, you and I may feel different emotions. ***Psychologist cant actually observe patients inner most thoughts and feelings, so this was relatively short lived.

chemistry had its periodic table of elements, and physics had its fundamental laws. Wundt sought to do the same for psychology, establishing a series of fundamental relations or structures that could be used to explain all behavior.

Wundt opened a psychological laboratory in Leipzig Germany to study the nature of consciousness by using experimental method of introspection. Introspection refers to a very careful observing and recording of one’s own perceptions and feelings. All these are recorded as impressions including the sensation, perception, reactions, associations, emotions that are passing through the consciousness of he subject.

Functionalism William James Instead of emphasizing the content and structure of the mind, they gave more impetus on its application and usefulness. Endeavoured to answer as to how the mental process help people adjust to their environment. The functionalist wanted to know how the mind works and what uses the mind has. Functionalism considers the function of the mind and behaviour in adapting to the environment. By contrast, James proposed a diff questions, why we think, feel and smell. Focus is on the function of behavior. ***Rough Analogy of Structuralism vs Functionalism- A structuralist would explain their movemnet by the study of muscles, tendons, bones operates. In constrast, a functionalist would ask similiar qustion

Difference between structuralism and functionalism? A structuralism would try to explain their movement by studying how muscles, tendons and bones operates. In contrast, a functionalist would ask, “Why do we have hands? How do they help us adapt to our environment?”. The functionalist would ask similar questions about mental process and behavior.

Gestalt Psychology Max Wertheimerr, Wolfgang Kohler & Kurt Koffkaform Gestalt – means configuration of form that is unified and not divided into constituent part. Gestalt psychologists believe that one could not understand a phenomenon by breaking it down into its elements; that psychological phenomenon can only be understood by studying the whole Our minds always try to make the simpliest meaning out of everything. We organize sensation into meaningful patterns.

Example: If feeling or emotion is a psychological activity, then it should not be viewed only as a results of psychological functions of systems but also of other psychological events that produce it. The whole is more than the sum of its parts. Therefore, if you only look at the parts, you miss the whole. Gestalt psychology includes the investigation of objects and their meanings. More interested in what the person experiences or perceives of an object rather than it’s size, texture or color.

Cognitive Psychology Ulric Neisser Approach emphasizes the mental process involved in knowing, thinking, remembering and solving problems. The mind is viewed as an active and problem-solving system. The sensory system picks up data or information from the environment and through such mental process the mind transforms these data into new forms of ideas, experiences and meaning.

Cognitive Psychologist claim than an individual’s perception of an event, rather than the event itself, often accounts for behaviour. Thus, two individuals exposed to an identical situation may respond differently, depending in part on the interpretations and meanings they place on the situation.

The stimulus is the same and will remain unchanged. But two individuals exposed to an identical situation may respond differently, depending in part on the interpretation and meanings they place on the situation.

Psychoanalytic Theory Sigmund Freud Psychoanalytic perspective emphasizes the influence of the unconscious though on the way people think, feel and act. Human Mind =Iceberg. The tip of an iceberg which is seen on the surface represents the conscious mind and the biggest portion that cannot be seen which is deep into the water, is the unconscious. The majority of one’s psychological being exist in this big portion which is not within the awareness of the person.

The unconscious processes refer to the innate urges, desires, instincts and fear which a person is not aware but which greatly influence his thoughts and actions. They are either inborn or they are products of severe frustrations in childhood which were prevented from being expressed on the person level of consciousness. They are a part of one’s pscyhe; and since they cannot be identified in consciousness, they come out in dreams, in from of mannerisms, slips of speech, or in some mild form of psychological disturbance called neuroses.

Behavioristic Psychology B.F Skinner Emphasizes the association that is established between the stimulus and the response in the organism. Every response is determined by a stimulus, so that the behavior may be completely analyzed by means of the causal relationship between stimulus and response (S-R). This S-R theory became the forerunner of habit formation, a type of learning through conditioning. According to this theory, the mental characteristics are not inherited and all that makes up a person is a result of the environmental influences and learning. Nature vs Nurture Learning occurs through the environment

Introduced concept of “reinforcement” in controlling behaviour. The repeated presentation of a reinforcement after the response increase the possibility and the frequency of what response to be repeated which results to the acquisition of the desired behaviour. B.F Skinner method is called operant conditioning.

Humanistic Psychology Abraham Maslow, Carl Rogers, Gordon Allport Humanistic Psychology – Third Force It is concerned with topics having little place in existing theories and systems such as love, creativity, self, growth, basic-need gratification, self-actualization, higher values, being, becoming, spontaneity, play, humor, affection, naturalnessm, warmth, ego-experience, peak experience, courange and related concepts.

Any movement in psychology which is not psychoanalytic or behaviouristic in approach. It consist of diverse collection of psychologist and philosophers who share the following views: Recognizes the importance of personal freedom and responsibility in the life-long process of decision making to fulfil the human potential. It considers the mind as an active dynamic identity by which the individual exerts uniquely human abilities in cognition, will power and judgement. See human beings as separate from other forms of life. Individuals, as human beings, must go beyond the satisfaction of psychological needs in the quest for personal values and attitude of social and philosophical significance. Emphasis is on self, which foster the development of an individually defined, unique human personality. Recognizes the dynamic growth and growing tendency of an individual. Stress that people have the ability to control their lives and not be manipulated by the environment.

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