Waves of Psychology

There have been five waves of psychology, with a sixth added more recently. They are different ways of thinking over time, and they are:

• Structuralism

• Functionalism

• Gestalt Psychology

• Psychoanalysis

• Behaviorism

• Eclectic

Structuralism

Began with Wilhelm Wundt’s first psychological laboratory and concept of structuralism.

• Edward Titchener: Use introspection, self reflection to learn about yourself.

  • Introspection: Internal examination and analysis of someone’s own mental state

• Basic structure of thought and the brain, and their interactions.

Functionalism

• Mental states are identified by what they do rather than by what they are made of

• Focused on working of the conscious mind as well as behaviors.

• Heavily Darwinist thinking (survival of the fittest, evolution)

• Have adapted to help our survival and those of our ancestors

Gestalt Psychology

• The whole of an experience can be more than the sum of its parts.

• Focused on how we experience the world

• Led by Max Wertheimer.

Psychoanalysis

• Started with Sigmund Freud

• Most of your feelings come from the unconscious.

• We protect ourselves from our real feelings by using defense mechanisms.

Behaviorism

• Ignore how you feel inside, because all that mattered was how you acted.

• B.F. Skinner was the forerunner of Behaviorism.

• During the time period (early-mid 1900s), it was considered that it didn’t matter how you felt, as long as you changed your behavior.

• Ivan Pavlov: Often credited as another forerunner in behaviorism, focused on classical conditioning

Eclectic

• Largely about variety.

• Psychologists picked and chose what theories they’d use based on the client.

• An eclectic person is someone who derives ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources.