Discuss among early school of psychology
The early schools of psychology were fundamental in shaping the field of psychology as we know it today. Some of the key early schools of psychology include structuralism, functionalism, behaviorism, psychoanalysis, and gestalt psychology.
Structuralism, founded by Wilhelm Wundt, focused on studying the basic elements of consciousness through introspection. This approach was influential in establishing psychology as a science and helped lay the groundwork for later psychological research methods.
Functionalism, founded by William James, emphasized the function and purpose of behavior and mental processes. It sought to understand how mental processes help us adapt to our environment and survive.
Behaviorism, founded by John B. Watson and later developed by B.F. Skinner, focused on observable behavior and rejected the study of mental processes. Behaviorists believed that behavior could be understood and predicted through the study of observable stimuli and responses.
Psychoanalysis, founded by Sigmund Freud, focused on the unconscious mind and how it influences behavior. Freud believed that childhood experiences and unconscious conflicts play a significant role in shaping personality and behavior.
Gestalt psychology, founded by Max Wertheimer, focused on how people perceive and organize sensory information. Gestalt psychologists argued that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, emphasizing the importance of understanding the context in which behaviors occur.
While these early schools of psychology had unique approaches and theories, they all contributed to the development of psychology as a scientific discipline. Each school of thought brought new ideas and methods to the field, helping to shape the diverse and dynamic field of psychology that exists today.