Psychology traces its roots to two different approaches to human behavior. Philosophers began the exploration and understanding of the mind. The physiologists, namely Hippocrates, helped in the psychology movement by its investigations of living organisms.
The science of psychology evolved from scientists that were not necessarily "psychologists". Wilhelm Wundt was a philosopher and physiologist, Charles Darwin was a naturalist, Ivan Pavlov was a physiologist (Nobel Prize winning), Sigmund Freud was a physician, Jean Piaget was a biologist, and William James was an American philosopher. These are just a few of the pioneering psychologists-"Magellans of the Mind," as Morton Hunt called them in 1993. So you see, psychology has its origins in many countries and disciplines.
The first major school of thought was Structuralism. Its goals were to understand the structure of the mind, by ananlyzing the distinct configuration of component elements of the mind, such as sensations and thoughts. They wanted to be like chemists, biologists, and physiologists. These fields all have very obvious observables measures. The idea that the mind can be broken down into its elemental parts: like chemicals, cells, and anatomical structures. This task was important in making psychology a systematic empirical science, but was eventually unsuccessful.
The countermovement of structuralism was functionalism. They asked, "What do people do and why do they do it?" Opened the door to questioning how and why mind works as it does. The functionalists were concerned with psychology moving towards the study of consciousness. For the functionalist the only thing of importance is observable behavior. Also, the functionalist focused on what causes behavior. Functionalism was the foundation for behaviorism.
The major schools of thought in psychology approach to answer specific questions about behavior from different perspectives. The first is the behavioral approach which focuses entirely on the association between an observed stimulus and an observable response. They believe that the science of psychology should only deal with observable behavior. Strict behaviorists believe that all ways of thinking are a product of ones consequences for previous thoughts and behavior. It emphasizes animals instead of humans for research. John Watson is given credit for being the father of American Behaviorism.
The second perspective is the biological approach. This perspective along with the cognitive approach are what I believe will be emphasized on the AP Exam. The biological perspective is the most exciting field today; great discoveries daily. They attempt to understand behavior by carefully studying the brain. It has been instrumental in development of medications that effectively treat depression.
The third school of thought is the cognitive approach. A cognitivist might say, "understanding human behavior is to understood by how people think." It is the study of how people learn, structure, store, and use knowledge. They study the mental processes that take place while solving problems, writing, or creating a poem.
The fourth and most controversial approach is the psychodynamic. Their emphasis of behavior, personality, and motivation is on our conflicting unconscious. They believe that childhood experiences are important in affecting adult personality. It is a theory proposed as two mental states: the conscious and the unconscious. Freud (the most recognized psychologist of our time) stated that all thoughts, emotions, and actions are determined. In other words, if we probe deeply enough, we will find the causes of everything we fee, think, and do. It's stimulating stuff!!!
The fifth approach is the sociocultural perspective. To understand human behavior look at the culture in which they live. Culture will produce a different version of the mind.
And finally the humanistic approach. I love this one. It is so optimistic and happy. The emphasis is on a conscious experience in personal development rather than unconscious experience. Free will and importance of human potential is of grave importance to the humanist. They believe that all people have an innate drive to self actualization. The key to success and a fulfilled life is to live without criticism, negativity, bigotry, and self-doubt. Unconditional love is a good word for humanism.
