The document outlines the six main schools of thought in psychology: structuralism, functionalism, behaviorism, Gestalt psychology, psychoanalytic, and humanistic. It provides details on the founders, key ideas, and experimental methods of each school. Structuralism was founded by Wundt and focused on introspection to study the building blocks of sensations and perceptions. Functionalism shifted to studying thinking, learning, and motivation, using longitudinal research. Behaviorism criticized previous methods and focused only on observable behaviors. Gestalt psychology studied organized patterns of behavior and perception. Psychoanalytic looked at unconscious motives and used free association. Humanistic emphasized human potential and freedom of choice.

1. Schools of Psychology
Prepared by:
Orlando A. Pistan, MAEd-GC
Psychology Instructor

2. Schools of Psychology
Psychology, the study of the
mind and behavior, has
hundreds of theories and sub-
theories, but the six main
schools of thought are often the
foundation for those new to the
world of psychology.
There are different
schools in psychology:
 Structuralism
 Functionalism
 Behaviorism
 Gestalt Psychology
 Psychoanalytic
 Humanistic

3. Structuralism (1875-1930)
1. Lead by Wilhelm Wundt, a
German physician, and later,
Edward Titchener, an English
Psychologist
2. Emerged in Germany, in the
late 19th century
3. Structuralism believe that the
mind is made up of building
blocks in the form of
sensations and perception
4. Introspection is their famous
experimental method
5. Introspection is best used in
studying behavioral
problems.

4. Functionalism (1890-1930)
1. Lead by William James,
American psychologist (credited
as the originator of Psychology
in America)
2. The shift of psychological
studies in United States
3. Changed the focus of
Psychology to learning,
motivation, and thinking
4. Developed longitudinal
research which consist
interviewing, testing and
observing
5. James published his 2-volume,
book entitled “Principles of
Psychology in 1890 which
encompasses his disciplines

5. Behaviorism (1913-present)
1. Lead by John Broadus
Watson, an American
psychologist
2. Criticized both the
structuralists and
functionalists for their
methods
3. Argued that psychologists
should only use methods
which are verifiable by other
psychologists
4. Focused on overt behaviors
for their studies
5. Became very influential in
the United States

6. Behaviorism follower
Ivan Petrovich Pavlov
Russian physiologist
Best known for his
experiment on
conditioning dogs to
initiate a salivary
response to the sound of
a bell

7. Behaviorism follower
 Burrhus Frederic Skinner
 American psychologist
 One of the 20th century’s
most famous psychologist
 Noted for his laboratory
device for animal
experimentation which
was designed to study
responses to external
stimuli

8. Gestalt Psychology (1912-1940)
1. Lead by Max Wertheimer, an
Austro-Hungarian
psychologist
2. Its fundamental principle
states that “the whole is
more than the sum of all its
parts.
3. Maintained the principle
that psychology should
study the whole pattern of
behavior, experience and the
perception of organized
configuration.
4. Combines introspection and
observation method in its
studies

9. Psychoanalytic (1900-present)
1. Lead by Sigmund Freud, an
Austrian neurologist
2. Focused on the unconscious
mental processes (motives and
cravings) which influence an
individual’s behaviors
3. Contributed most in the field
of personality theories and
treating personality disorders
4. Known for Libido theory which
states that our sexual energy
is our primary motivational
force in life
5. Used Free association and
dream analysis method

10. Humanistic (1950-present)
1. Lead by Carl Rogers and
Abraham Maslow, American
Psychologists
2. This approach emphasized
on the unique qualities of
humans, especially their
freedom of choice and
decision making, as well as
their potential for personal
growth
3. Maslow developed the
famous pyramid of human
motivation which states that
some human motivation is
powerful over the others.

11. Schools of Psychology
Thank you for
paying attention.