Psychological Schools of Thought
Psychological Schools of Thought
Blake Blair
Psychology 300
April 29, 2013
Fowler
Psychological Schools of Thought
Over the course of history many brilliant men and women have attempted to unlock the mysteries held in the Human mind. Whether these individuals felt they achieved their goals or not, there was a mutual goal shared by all of them. This achievement spanned over thousands of years, several fields of study, and millions of participants. What all these great minds discovered is one of the single largest fields of study today, Psychology. Psychology is best defined as the study of the mind, but there are branches of it that examine one’s inner self, surroundings, and parts of the unconsciousness mind as well. These different branches have come to be known as the “Major Schools of Thought.” (Psychoid)
There are many “schools of thought” in psychology today that touch on many different areas of the body and mind. Psychologists tend to adhere to just one of the areas they touch on and some even turn their noses on the others, but one thing they can all agree on is that all schools of thought can lead to a better understanding of the human mind. Biological Perspective being one of the oldest schools of thought was said to begin when Darwin formulated his theory of natural selection. This approach is based on human behavior in a biological sense. It compares and contrasts how we act around each other, how our brain functions, and how our nervous system functions. It also studies how they act when altered by either form or by prescribed medication that can alter mind states. For example the case of Phineas Gage in 1848, or prescription anti-depressants that alters our mood to interact better with society. (McLeod, S.)
The second “SOT” that can be attributed majorly to one person would be the Psychodynamic Perspective. This perspective began with Sigmund Freud’s early theories of psychoanalysis. Freud states that our subconscious/unconscious mind and the
Blake Blair
Psychology 300
April 29, 2013
Fowler
Psychological Schools of Thought
Over the course of history many brilliant men and women have attempted to unlock the mysteries held in the Human mind. Whether these individuals felt they achieved their goals or not, there was a mutual goal shared by all of them. This achievement spanned over thousands of years, several fields of study, and millions of participants. What all these great minds discovered is one of the single largest fields of study today, Psychology. Psychology is best defined as the study of the mind, but there are branches of it that examine one’s inner self, surroundings, and parts of the unconsciousness mind as well. These different branches have come to be known as the “Major Schools of Thought.” (Psychoid)
There are many “schools of thought” in psychology today that touch on many different areas of the body and mind. Psychologists tend to adhere to just one of the areas they touch on and some even turn their noses on the others, but one thing they can all agree on is that all schools of thought can lead to a better understanding of the human mind. Biological Perspective being one of the oldest schools of thought was said to begin when Darwin formulated his theory of natural selection. This approach is based on human behavior in a biological sense. It compares and contrasts how we act around each other, how our brain functions, and how our nervous system functions. It also studies how they act when altered by either form or by prescribed medication that can alter mind states. For example the case of Phineas Gage in 1848, or prescription anti-depressants that alters our mood to interact better with society. (McLeod, S.)
The second “SOT” that can be attributed majorly to one person would be the Psychodynamic Perspective. This perspective began with Sigmund Freud’s early theories of psychoanalysis. Freud states that our subconscious/unconscious mind and the
References: An Overview Of Different Schools Of Thought In Psychology. (n.d.). Retrieved April 29, 2013, from Psychoid website: http://www.psychoid.net/overview-schools-thought.html General Psychology. (n.d.). General Psychology. Retrieved April 29, 2013, from http://general- psychology.weebly.com/what-are-the-biological-foundations-of-behavior.html McLeod, S. (n.d.). Psychology Perspectives. In Psychology Perspectives. Retrieved April 29, 2013, from http://www.simplypsychology.org/perspective.html