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Published byMitchell Watts Modified over 8 years ago
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Schools of thought in Psychology What is school of thought? A school of thought is a collection or group of people who share common characteristics of opinion or outlook of an idea. A particular way of thinking
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SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT IN PSYCHOLOGY
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1) Structuralism: THE ELEMENT OF EXPERIENCE. Founder : Wilhem Wundt Wundt saw the mind as a natural event that could be studied scientifically like light, heat and flow of blood.
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Wundt called psychology the “study of conscious experience” which can be broken down into three elements a) objective sensation (such as sight or taste), b) subjective feelings (such as emotional response, will) c) mental images (like memories or dreams). Mind functions by combining the entire three components.
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Method of Study Wundt used “introspection” to try to discover the basic elements of experience. They used to try to look inwards as objectively as possible to describe their sensation and feelings when presented with various signs and sounds.
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Introspection The examination of ones own mental and emotional processes. Like self report
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Criticism Dissatisfaction with introspections as the key to unlock fundamental elements of mind. Conscious could not be analyzed in mental units or elements. Introspection was not truly scientific technique
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2) Functionalism: making Psychology a habit Founder :William James American scholar, broadened the horizon of Psychology Included topics like religious experience, abnormal behavior Famous book “ Principles of Psychology” gave Psychology a sound basis as a scientific discipline.
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Thought of James Consciousness is fluid and continuous. It cannot be broken down into elements Focused how mind functions to help us survive ad adapt. They looked at how our experience and behavior help us function more adaptively in our environment.
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Influenced by Survival of the fittest theory. Maladaptive behaviors are drop out, adaptive behavior are repeated and become “habits”. “Habit” is the enormous flywheel of the society. Habits keep the engine of civilization running (society is run by habits).
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Gave new fields to Psychology like patterns of development in children, effectiveness of educational practices, differences between males and females etc.
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Methods of study Introspection In addition to introspection they used tests, Explanation and surveys.
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Criticism:- Did not explain functions of mind/consciousness. Only focused on repeated behaviours. Could not describe relationship of body and mind.
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Structuralism vs. Functionalism Structuralism: broke consciousness into elements Functionalism: described consciousness as a stream or flow, NOT as elements
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3) BEHAVIORISM John Broadus Watson. Focuses on learning observation /overt behavior. Psychology as the scientific study of behavior not of behavior and metal processes. Mental processes cannot be measured accurately so they should not be subject matter of psychology.
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Behaviors can be taught if reinforced (rewarded). Made Psychology "hard" science; rigorous, objective and explanation.
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Method of study Experimental method-measurement, observation.
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Criticism Behavior learning is active and purposeful, not responsive and mechanical as in Watsons’s view. Learning is accomplished by “Insight”. (depends on personal thinking and perception)
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Gestalt Psychology Gestalt Psychology is the school of thought that looks at human mind and behavior as a whole. Gestalt: Shape/form Founder : Max Werthimer Kurt Kofka Kholar We perceive things as a unified wholes. PERCEPTION: GIVING MEANING TO STIMULI In oppose to Structuralism Notion: whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Criticized the notion of “elements of behavior”
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Criticism: Gestaltists performed only in the area of perception. They did nothing about unconscious processes which makes 3/4 th of our cognitive processes. Their approaches were not purely scientific.
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Psychoanalysis: Founder: Sigmund Freud Our behaviour is determined by unfulfilled desires, childhood conflicts. Most of the mind is unconscious- home of conflicting impulses, urges and wishes. Gives insight into learning about deep-seated conflicts of the patients and finding socially acceptable ways of expressing wishes and gratifying needs.
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Parts of Mind: 1. Conscious Self aware part. 2. Sub-Conscious Capable of being brought to conscious 3. Un-Conscious Not available to awareness by simple growing of attention
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Method of study: Free association Catharsis Dream analysis “dreams are royal road towards unconscious mind”
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Criticism: Not a truly scientific technique. Freud’s Psychic structures are unscientific. No clean demonstration between conscious, preconscious and unconscious.
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