Psychology can be defined as the scientific study of uncovering the reasons of why the human beings act in certain ways, how they do certain acts and what they do in their lives as human beings
The major school of psychology affects the methods they study psychological issues and they interpret psychological phenomenon. Human psychology is complex in nature and in reality the psychologist uses a variety of psychological thought of the major schools of psychology.
The major schools of classical psychology are structuralism, behaviorism, functionalism,
Gestalt psychology, psychoanalysis, humanist and existential psychology. These Psychological theories vary in their research methodologies and their interpretation of psychological phenomenon. In addition, they also vary in the method of psychological intervention to remedy abnormal behavior or mental disorder. In reality many psychologist in practice uses an eclectic view to study a particular psychological issue of concern. As well, certain theories are more useful depending on the purpose on the psychological investigation.
Structuralism school of thought
Structuralism is based on the belief the consciousness can be divided in to several parts and it studys the elementary structure of consciousness. Its method of research is introspection or mental reduction to study human psychology in the area of sensation, attention, judgment, affective states of mind. As well, its purpose is to set apart psychology from philosophy. The basic problem with structuralism is its subjective nature and not an objective method of study. As well, its focus is on mental reduction which does not explain the complexity of human psychology and all psychological phenomenons. Currently this method of research is not popular and other methods are used by practicing psychologists to conduct research in psychological studies to study a particular psychological issue or phenomenon.
Functionalism school of thought
Functionalism focus on the mental processes and its method of research is mostly based on evolutionary methods or an eclectic approach to research using many insights from other schools of thought to design its research methodology. It s main areas of concern are mental illness, education and development. That is it focuses on utilitarian purposes that are the practical usefulness of psychological research to study practical psychological concerns in society and individuals in a contextual manner and uses useful methods to study psychological issues.
Behaviourism school of thought
Behaviourism as a school of thought focuses on behavior and emotional expressions other than focusing on introspection in structuralism. Its method of research is overt and operationalist conditioning and observing behavior and experimentation. Its focus is to see what incentives and punishment can change behavior in animals and conditioning so that one can also change human behavior by incentives and punishments. Its purpose is to objectify psychology than studying by subjective methods and observable behavior and emotional expressions.
Gestalt school of thought
Gestalt school of thought psychological subject matter is phenomena as a molar unit. Its major area is perception. Its research method is inner perception and phenomenological analysis. Gestalt school of thought is a reaction to behaviorism and structuralism and to develop a school of thought, which is anti-reductionism and perception theory.
Psychoanalysis school of thought
Psychoanalysis school of thought subject matter is unconscious personality and normal and abnormal personality typologies. Is research method is based on clinical research or anecdotal. Its purpose is to demystification of mental illness.
Humanist and existential school of thought
The subject matter of humanist and existential school of thought is the models and problems of human existence. Its research method is subjective or subjective analysis.
This school of thought is based on the premise that human beings are intentional and they are inherently have free will and they tend to self-actualize and there fore anti-behaviorist.
As discussed above the psychological school of thought is evolved over a period of time and in modern times the psychologist uses a variety of school of thought depending on the psychological phenomenon they study and its applicability to study a particular phenomenon. Currently they also tend to use insights from constructivist approach as well as post-modernism approach to study human psychology and psychological phenomenon to accurately describe psychological phenomenon and predict psychological behavior and emotions. It must be remembered that no one approach or a combination of approach will not adequately explain the complex nature of psychology in all situation and in all cultural situation and moral value systems.
In effect the nature and nurture interacts in a continuum and the subjective and objective factors impinge on each other and it shapes the human psychology in a dynamic manner and dynamic models are useful than static models to study human psychology.
