Schools Of Psychology Essay, Research Paper

Schools of Psychology

There are seven major schools of psychology Behavioral, Psychoanalytic, Humanistic, Cognitive, Neurobiological, Sociological, and Industrial. First off behavioral psychology emphasizes the scientific study of behavior and its environmental determinants. Pavlov and Skinner developed important behavioral approaches. Social learning theorists take a behavioral approach, but also emphasize that thought processes modify environment behavior conditions. The Psychoanalytic approach stresses the unconscious aspects of the mind conflict between biological instincts and society?s demands, and early childhood experiences. Freud was the main architect behind psychoanalytic theory, but Erikson presented an important revision of psychoanalytic theory. The Humanistic approach emphasizes a person?s capacity for personal growth, freedom to choose ones destiny, and positive qualities. Rogers and Maslow were the main developers of the humanistic approach. Cognitive psychology places a premium on cognitive or, thought, processes. A person?s mind is viewed as an active, aware, problem solving system. Information processing is the most widely adopted cognitive approach. Neurobiological stresses that the brain and nervous system play important roles in understanding behavior and mental processes. Sperry conducted important research on the brains two hemispheres. The Sociocultural approach is psychology?s newest lens. It emphasizes that culture ethnicity and gender are essential to understanding behavior, thought and emotion. Last but not least Industrial or Organizational psychology focuses on labor and management related issues. Which school is the best? No single theory offers all the answers; each contributes to the collective science of psychology.