Uploaded by Daniel Pipersburgh

Psychology Theories: Structuralism, Behaviorism, Gestalt

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Theoretical Approaches in Psychology
There are many theoretical approaches in psychology designed to explain certain behaviors.
Some of the earliest approaches to explain behavior in psychology include structuralism and
functionalism.
Structuralism
William Wundt combined physiology and philosophy to create psychology and established
the first psychology lab in Germany (1879). He believed in introspection and structuralism.
Structuralism says that structure is more important than function. Structuralists believed that
the mind must be broken into elements to understand the brain and its functions. With the use
of introspection � (looking inward), people try to understand the thoughts or emotions they
are experiencing at the time.
For structuralism to work, the subject would have to be very intelligent and verbal in order to
describe their sensations, images, and feelings in certain moments. Also, introspection was
unreliable since the results varied from person to person.
As a result, the impact of introspection waned, as did structuralism.
Functionalism
Functionalism came after structuralism and was created to understand how the conscious
mind is related to behavior. Functionalists, such as William James, wanted to know how the
mind affected what people did.
Early Behaviorism
Early Behaviorism was the study of observable events. This theory shifted psychology from
a study of the unconscious and conscious mind to a more science-based study based on
observable events.
John Watson was a behaviorist psychologist who studied observable behaviors and led the
Little Albert experiment, where he trained an 11-month-old boy to fear a white rat � The boy
was not initially afraid of the rat, but when the white rat was paired with a loud sound the boy
would show signs of distress. Eventually, the boy began to cry � when just seeing the white
rat without the sound. Watson believed that observable events are the only events that can be
proven true, unlike studying the conscious, where results are not verifiable.
Gestalt Psychology
Gestalt psychology says that the whole is different than the sum of its parts. Gestalt
psychology looks at the mind and behavior as a whole. It suggests that human minds do not
focus on small components. Instead, humans see the greater whole.
Psychological Approaches
Psychoanalytic/Psychodynamic approach focuses on the study of the unconscious mind. It states that behavior is determined by past
experiences stored in the unconscious mind. Sigmund Freud is the key individual that used this approach and he built his theories
based on it.
The humanistic approach believes that humans have free will and the ability to grow � All individuals
are striving to reach self actualization with this approach.
The evolutionary approach uses evolutionary biology to explain human behavior. Also, it
looks at how natural selection of traits promotes the survival of genes. An evolutionary
psychologist may study how anger could be a gene inherited from our ancestors.
The biological perspective states that behavior is based on physical processes such as those
relating to the brain, hormones, and other chemicals.
The cognitive approach states that thought processes impact the way people behave. A
cognitive psychologist may study how an emotion such as fear affects one’s thinking.
The biopsychosocial perspective acknowledges the person as a whole and tries to look at all
of the patient's circumstances. It looks at biological, psychological, and social factors to
understand a person’s behavior.
The sociocultural approach studies how thinking and behavior vary across cultures and
situations. A sociocultural psychologist may study how expressions of fear vary across
cultures.
Subfields of Psychology
Biological psychology states that physical processes shape behavior. For example, a
biological psychologist might say that anger � is due to a certain hormonal balance in the
brain.
Clinical psychology is a section of psychology focused on assessing and treating mental,
emotional, and behavioral disorders.
Cognitive psychology � studies the mental processes associated with thinking, knowing,
and communicating.
Counseling psychology focuses on personal issues that are not classified as mental
disorders. These types of therapists help people cope with challenges and crises in life. For
example, they can help a student with social or academic struggles. They could even help an
individual with marital issues.
Developmental psychology � studies social, physical, and cognitive changes throughout
the lifespan. So, they study from “womb to tomb.”
Educational psychology � � � is the study of how psychological processes can impact and
improve learning and teaching.
Experimental psychology uses the experimental method to examine relationships between
behavior and the mind.
Industrial-organizational psychology studies the relationships between work and people in
order to help companies increase productivity, boost morale, and select and train employees.
Personality psychology is the study of how personality affects the way people think and
behave.
Psychometric psychology focuses on psychological measurement and is concerned with
the design of psychological examinations.
Social psychology � studies how humans are influenced by one another and how we relate
and think about each other.
Positive psychology focuses on making human existence more fulfilling, rather than
focusing on the treatment of mental illness. Promoting strengths and virtues to improve the
lives of people and communities.
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