Psychology Overview: Key Theories and Histories

Associationism, Structuralism, and Functionalism

• Associationism emphasizes the mental connections formed between ideas, influencing learning theories.
• Structuralism, founded by Wilhelm Wundt, focuses on analyzing the structure of the mind through introspection.
• Functionalism, largely developed by William James, considers mental processes in terms of their adaptive functions.

Emergence of Modern Psychology

• Psychology evolved as a distinct field in the late 19th century, integrating philosophy and natural sciences.
• Key figures like Wundt and James established research methods that transitioned psychology into a scientific discipline.

Indian View of Psychology

• Indian psychology integrates ancient philosophies and modern psychological principles, emphasizing holistic understanding of the self.
• Concepts like 'Atman' (the self) and 'Maya' (illusion) play significant roles in psychological theories.

Behaviorism

• Focuses on observable behavior rather than internal mental states, stressing the importance of the environment.
• Major developments include classical conditioning (Pavlov) and operant conditioning (Skinner).

Neo-Behaviorist Tradition

• Integrates cognitive processes into behaviorism, acknowledging that internal factors can influence behavior.
• Key figures:
  • John B. Watson, who promoted behaviorism by rejecting introspection.
  • B.F. Skinner, known for operant conditioning and reinforcement principles.
  • Albert Bandura, introduced social learning theory, emphasizing observational learning.

Psychoanalytic Theory

• Founded by Sigmund Freud, highlighting unconscious processes and childhood experiences in shaping personality.
• Key elements include:
  • Structure of the Mind: Id (instincts), Ego (reality), and Superego (morality).
  • Psychosexual Stages of Development: Stages—oral, anal, phallic, latency, and genital—describe how personality develops through childhood.

Prominent Psychoanalysts

• Alfred Adler introduced the concept of inferiority complex and importance of social interests.
• Carl Jung emphasized collective unconscious and archetypes in shaping human behavior.
• Erich Fromm combined psychoanalysis with social and cultural factors, focusing on humanistic approaches.
• Erik Erikson expanded Freud’s stages with a focus on psychosocial development across the lifespan.

Explore the fundamental theories that shaped psychology, including associationism, structuralism, and functionalism. This quiz also covers the evolution of psychology into a scientific field and highlights the unique perspectives of Indian psychology. Delve into behaviorism and its emphasis on observable actions and responses.