The Different Schools in Psychology

There are different schools in psychology, among of these are Structuralism, Functionalism, the Gestalt

Psychology, Behaviorism, Psychoanalysis, Humanism and Cognitive Psychology.

There are different schools in psychology, among of these are Structuralism, Functionalism, the Gestalt

psychology, Behaviorism, Psychoanalysis, Humanism and Cognitive Psychology.

Structuralism is lead by Wudnt and Titchener. This school of psychology is primarily deals with the study of
the element which form the structure of the mind. Structuralist used the method of “Introspection”.

Functionalism was developed at the University of Chicago. It was lead by John Dewey and James Angell. It

also developed at the Harvard University with William James. Functionalist are involved in studying the

functions of consciousness. They believed that the learning process was aided by consciousness. The study of

functionalist also deals with personality, intelligence and other practical problem related to the field of

education. The functionalist is interested in the learning process because the learning process is one of the

means of adjustment of man to the environment where he live.Gestalt Psychology is lead by Max Wertheimer,

Wolfgang Wertheimer and Koffha (German psychologist). The Gestalt psychologist analyzes experience by

configuration, whole or pattern. These psychologists give importance to the wholeness in the process of

learning. They give emphasis that the whole is greater than the sum to its parts. Furthermore, they give

emphasis of form in perception, they believed that shapes and forms need to be describe by the organization of
the entire perceptual field.

Behaviorism was lead by John B. Watson. He is a professor of psychology at John Hopkins University. The

psychologists believed that psychology should be concerned with behaviors. They stressed that behaviors are
observable and they are not conscious experience that is subjective and only known to the person involved.

Psychoanalysis was developed by Dr. Sigmund Freud. He developed this theory explaining the physical,
nervous and emotional disorders with the organic explanations. Sigmund Freud is interested on the sub-
conscious mind.

Humanism as contrary to the humanist and the behaviorist believed that every person is destined to be good.

This psychologist also believed that criminality as well as delinquency are just caused by the environment that

they claimed to be unhealthy and are inadequate for the proper development of the individual. Humanist

believed that every individual has desire for what is good. Cognitive Psychology is a blend of humanism and

behaviorism. It gives special attention on thought process, the reasoning as well as problem solving. Cognitive
psychologists are concerned on understanding the basic methods of the operation of the human brain.