Psychology is a diverse discipline with several schools of thought representing different theories and perspectives. Here, we'll explore two of the main schools of thought in psychology: Behaviorism and Psychoanalysis.
1. Behaviorism
Behaviorism, also known as behavioral psychology, is a theory that holds that all actions and behaviors are products of conditioning. This school of thought was popularized by psychologists such as John B. Watson and B.F. Skinner in the first half of the 20th century.
Behaviorism focuses on observing and controlling objective, measurable behavior, ignoring the importance of emotions and cognition. According to this school of thought, behavior is learned and shaped through interactions with the environment, and behaviors can be changed through conditioning techniques such as positive and negative reinforcement.
For example, if a child is rewarded for doing their homework (positive reinforcement), they are more likely to repeat that behavior in the future. On the other hand, if the child is punished for inappropriate behavior (negative reinforcement), he is less likely to repeat that behavior.
2. Psychoanalysis
Psychoanalysis is a school of thought founded by Sigmund Freud in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Freud believed that human behavior is motivated by unconscious desires and conflicts, many of which originate in childhood.
Psychoanalysts use a variety of techniques, such as dream interpretation and free association, to access and understand these unconscious desires and conflicts. Freud argued that by bringing these unconscious elements into awareness, individuals can gain insight into their behaviors and symptoms, leading to psychological healing.
For example, if an individual has a fear of flying, a psychoanalyst may explore the individual's past experiences and dreams to uncover unconscious conflicts or trauma that may be causing the fear. Once these conflicts are brought to awareness, the individual can begin to resolve the fear.
In summary, while Behaviorism focuses on observable and measurable behaviors and believes that behavior is a product of the environment, Psychoanalysis focuses on unconscious desires and conflicts and believes that behavior is a product of internal, unconscious forces.
