INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY | FIRST SEMESTER 2
CONTENT: • It is an activity of organism that involves the
• Structuralism mind like cognition, memory, learning, problem
• Functionalism solving etc.
• Behaviorism
Findings/Results of their Study:
• Gestalt Psychology
• Psychoanalysis
• Purposivism 1. Mental states are responsible for man’s behavior.
• Humanism 2. Psychology is described as man and his
• Additional Information experiences.
3. There are 8 kinds of sensation:
→ External: visual, auditory, gustatory,
SCHOOLS OF PSYCHOLOGY olfactory, and cutaneous,
→ Internal: organic, vestibular, and
kinesthetic
Psychologists have opposing viewpoints and theories on 4. Complex experiences are made of elements such
the nature and functions of psychology. When a large as images.
number of psychologists support a certain viewpoint, they
are called a “school”. Between 1879 and 1930, several FUNCTIONALISM
important schools of psychology developed.
STRUCTURALISM In psychology, functionalism focuses on studying mental
processes based on their functions or purposes rather than
just their elements and structures (Lundin, 1996). This
• Structuralism was founded by Wilhelm Wundt, was formed as a reaction to the structuralism and was
who used controlled methods, such as heavily influenced by the work of William James and the
introspection, to break down consciousness to its evolutionary theory of Charles Darwin. The proponent of
basic elements without sacrificing any of the this school of psychology was William James.
properties of the whole. MORE INFORMATION
• Structuralism was further developed by
Wundt’s student, Edward B. Titchener.
• Functionalists sought to explain the mental
MORE INFORMATION processes in a more systematic and accurate
manner.
• The chief purpose of this psychology was to • Functionalists focused on the purpose of
describe, analyze, and explain conscious consciousness and behavior, instead on the
experience, particularly feelings and sensations. elements of consciousness.
• The structuralists attempted to give a scientific • Theory of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation
analysis of conscious experience by breaking it • Some examples of Functionalism in Psychology:
down into its specific components or structures. → Hunger: Feeling hungry is a sign the
→ Objective Sensations: sight, taste, hear, body requires food as fuel. So, adaptive
touch, smell function signals us to eat when we need
→ Subjective Feelings: emotional to provide energy that functions
response, will, and mental images effectively.
(memories/dreams) → Sleep: Getting adequate sleep fulfills a
• They primarily used a method of research called crucial adaptive function of restoring the
introspection. body’s energy levels and allowing for
→ In this technique, subjects were trained to effective cognitive functioning during
observe and report as accurately as they periods of wakefulness.
could their mental processes, feelings, → Memory Retention: Our ability to
and experiences. remember things serves an essential
adaptive function, strategizing
MENTAL PROCESSES better decision-making and problem-
solving skills based on our previously
learned experiences and
• The private, internal workings of the human accomplishments.
mind which inferred from behavior – the • William James was influenced by Charles
sensations, perception, dreams, thoughts, beliefs, Darwin’s theory of evolution (1809- 1882)
CONTENT: • It is an activity of organism that involves the
• Structuralism mind like cognition, memory, learning, problem
• Functionalism solving etc.
• Behaviorism
Findings/Results of their Study:
• Gestalt Psychology
• Psychoanalysis
• Purposivism 1. Mental states are responsible for man’s behavior.
• Humanism 2. Psychology is described as man and his
• Additional Information experiences.
3. There are 8 kinds of sensation:
→ External: visual, auditory, gustatory,
SCHOOLS OF PSYCHOLOGY olfactory, and cutaneous,
→ Internal: organic, vestibular, and
kinesthetic
Psychologists have opposing viewpoints and theories on 4. Complex experiences are made of elements such
the nature and functions of psychology. When a large as images.
number of psychologists support a certain viewpoint, they
are called a “school”. Between 1879 and 1930, several FUNCTIONALISM
important schools of psychology developed.
STRUCTURALISM In psychology, functionalism focuses on studying mental
processes based on their functions or purposes rather than
just their elements and structures (Lundin, 1996). This
• Structuralism was founded by Wilhelm Wundt, was formed as a reaction to the structuralism and was
who used controlled methods, such as heavily influenced by the work of William James and the
introspection, to break down consciousness to its evolutionary theory of Charles Darwin. The proponent of
basic elements without sacrificing any of the this school of psychology was William James.
properties of the whole. MORE INFORMATION
• Structuralism was further developed by
Wundt’s student, Edward B. Titchener.
• Functionalists sought to explain the mental
MORE INFORMATION processes in a more systematic and accurate
manner.
• The chief purpose of this psychology was to • Functionalists focused on the purpose of
describe, analyze, and explain conscious consciousness and behavior, instead on the
experience, particularly feelings and sensations. elements of consciousness.
• The structuralists attempted to give a scientific • Theory of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation
analysis of conscious experience by breaking it • Some examples of Functionalism in Psychology:
down into its specific components or structures. → Hunger: Feeling hungry is a sign the
→ Objective Sensations: sight, taste, hear, body requires food as fuel. So, adaptive
touch, smell function signals us to eat when we need
→ Subjective Feelings: emotional to provide energy that functions
response, will, and mental images effectively.
(memories/dreams) → Sleep: Getting adequate sleep fulfills a
• They primarily used a method of research called crucial adaptive function of restoring the
introspection. body’s energy levels and allowing for
→ In this technique, subjects were trained to effective cognitive functioning during
observe and report as accurately as they periods of wakefulness.
could their mental processes, feelings, → Memory Retention: Our ability to
and experiences. remember things serves an essential
adaptive function, strategizing
MENTAL PROCESSES better decision-making and problem-
solving skills based on our previously
learned experiences and
• The private, internal workings of the human accomplishments.
mind which inferred from behavior – the • William James was influenced by Charles
sensations, perception, dreams, thoughts, beliefs, Darwin’s theory of evolution (1809- 1882)
