Key Concepts in Psychology
Schools of Thought
Structuralism
Wilhelm Wundt aimed to study the mind’s basic structure using tools like measuring reaction time to flickering light.
Functionalism
This American school of thought focused on how people adapt to their environment, how the mind works, and what its functions are. It emphasized the practical application of psychological knowledge.
Gestalt Psychology
Founded by German psychologists in the 20th century, Gestalt psychology emphasized the importance of consciousness and perception as a whole, rather than individual parts.
Psychoanalysis
Sigmund Freud focused on abnormal behavior, believing that biological impulses, particularly those of a sexual nature, heavily influenced human behavior.
Behaviorism
Behaviorism studied animal behavior to understand how individuals respond to stimuli. This approach aimed to determine the most important factors influencing the mind.
Humanistic Psychology
Emerging in the early 1950s, with figures like Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow, humanistic psychology focused on individual growth, self-actualization, and the meaning of life.
Cognitive Psychology
This field investigates mental processes such as how the mind receives, processes, stores, retrieves, and utilizes information.
Methods of Inquiry
Experimental Method
This method aims to objectively describe events by controlling the conditions under which they occur.
Observational Method
This involves detailed observation of a situation and is useful for studying specific aspects of behavior.
Introspection
Introspection involves examining and describing one’s own mental states, including feelings, needs, motives, and emotions, to gain direct insight.
Biographical Method
This method seeks to understand the causes of individual behavior and personality development, recognizing the influence of environmental and social factors.