Psychology: origins, branches, applications and characteristics

We explain what Psychology is, the branches into which it is divided and its applications. Also, what are its characteristics and schools.

Psychology studies mental and emotional processes.

What is psychology?

Psychology is the science that seeks to understand human beings, to learn about their inner life and their interaction with the world around them.

It is a science that studies the behavior, mental processes and personality of people.It is in constant transformation and is related to other sciences such as medicine, philosophy and biology.

The word psychology comes from the Greek: psykhé means soul and lodge means study, which translates as “the study of the soul”. Nowadays, the definition “study of the mind” is often used, although there are different points of view on what the object of study of this discipline is.

Psychology is the analysis of mental processes at cognitive, affective and behavioral levels. It studies all aspects of human experience, taking into account social, individual and cultural factors. Psychology is present in all areas of life.

There are multiple current and accepted theories. Each one represents a “school” and has its own objects of study and its own methodology. The most recognized are: cognitive psychology, psychoanalysis, systemic psychology, gestalt psychology, positive psychology, neuroscientific psychology.

Origins of psychology

Wilhelm Wundt created the first experimental psychology laboratory.

In ancient times, the practice of psychology was related to philosophical reflections. Between the years 400 and 300 BC. C., thinkers such as Plato and Aristotle were interested in the nature of the soul and thoughts. They postulated different theories about how it is possible to access knowledge.

Later, René Descartes (1596-1650) concluded that true knowledge is based on reason and the only way to access it is through introspection (internal reflection). Thus, he founded the rationalist movement.

Within this current, John Locke (1632-1704) considered that the human mind is a blank slate: people are born as a blank slate on which experiences are printed.

Finally, it is considered that psychology was born as a science at the end of the 19th century, when the physiologist Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920) founded the first experimental psychology laboratory in Leipzig, Germany. Its objective was to investigate mental processes through introspection and experimentation. This event marked the beginning of psychology as a discipline independent of philosophy.

Features of psychology

The main characteristics of psychology are:

• It’s a science. Uses the scientific method, which is a set of techniques accepted by the scientific community to observe, experiment and analyze the results obtained.
• Studies the mental, emotional and behavioral processes. Analyzes the behavior, feelings and perception of subjects considering social, individual and cultural factors.
• It has various approaches. There are different objects of study and methodologies within psychology, so there are many branches. The main ones are basic psychology and applied psychology.
• Use the hypothetico-deductive method. Look for regularities in behavior, through observation and research. Then compare results to reach general conclusions. That is, from particular observations he obtains general ideas.
• It differs from psychiatry. Although the terms psychology and psychiatry are often used synonymously, psychiatry is related to medical science and studies the neurological and physiological functions that cause disorders and symptoms.

Branches of psychology

Psychology is multidisciplinary, as it is present in all aspects of human life. There are two main branches: basic psychology and applied psychology, which in turn are divided into several branches.

Basic psychology

Basic psychology belongs to the academic field. Its objective is to create knowledge. It deals with researching and organizing information about mental processes such as learning or memory.

It includes: general psychology, social psychology, learning psychology and evolutionary psychology, among others.

Applied psychology

Applied psychology is the practical application of research carried out by basic psychology. Its objective is to resolve situations in people’s lives, as individuals and as part of a society. For example, individual therapy is an application of the theories of general psychology.

It includes: clinical psychology, community psychology, sports psychology, among others.

Main psychological schools

Psychology as an academic discipline (i.e., as a field of study) is divided into different schools. Each one deals with a different subject of study and has its own method. There are similarities between several of the schools and also many points of opposition. The main schools are:

• Structuralism. Studies the structure of the mind. Its fundamental method is introspection (observation of the internal world). Its main reference is W. Wundt, who positioned psychology as an experimental science.
• Gestalt. Studies consciousness. Its methods are introspection and observation. Its main references are Max Wertheimer (1880-1943) and Wolfgang Köhler (1887-1967). They studied perception and cognition, based on the idea that the human mind tends to group perceptions, to obtain a global view. For example, when observing an ink stain, people tend to see familiar shapes, such as animals or faces.
• Psychoanalysis. It studies the unconscious, the part of the psyche that is outside of consciousness. His main method is the clinical method, which uses different techniques, such as interviews and observation, to discover what drives a person to act in a certain way. His fundamental reference is Sigmund Freud (1856-1939).
• Behaviorism. It studies observable behavior. Its main method is experimental, since the basis of this theory is that the only thing that is scientifically certain is manifest behavior. Its references are John Watson (1878-1958), Ivan Pavlov (1849-1936) and, later, Burrhus Skinner (1904-1991).
• Systemic psychology. It studies the bond, especially in the family, as a fundamental system in which the human being develops. The family is understood as an organization, a system, in which its members are connected and influence each other. Its main method is observation and its references Murray Bowen (1913-1990) and Nathan Ackerman (1908-1971), who developed family therapy dynamics.
• Humanistic psychology. Studies the human spirit. Its method is psychotherapy, conversation with a therapist. The aim of this school is for people to reach their potential. Its main references are Abraham Maslow (1908-1970) and Carl Rogers (1902-1987).
• Cognitive psychology. Studies mental structures and processes. Its method is experimental, focused on how people process information. This theory takes into account stimuli and observable behavior, like behaviorism, but focuses on what a person does with the stimuli they receive. Its main reference is Jean Piaget (1896-1980).

How does psychology work?

Psychology is made up of many areas and each has a particular approach, but there are objectives common to all branches:

• Describe. It seeks to gather information about the functioning of the mind and the behavior of people. It is carried out through direct or indirect observation, by means of questionnaires, interviews or surveys.
• Explain. After the description, try to explain the data obtained, establishing a cause-effect relationship. That is, develop explanations (hypotheses) that must explain why a certain behavior occurs.
• PredictWhen a hypothesis is verified, that is, tested and accepted as true, it can predict future situations.
• TransformBy knowing the causes and consequences of an event, you can alter the conditions that cause it in order to modify it.

For example, a phenomenon to be studied may be the lack of interest of a group of students at school. A psychological approach can:

1. Detail the problem. Classroom dynamics are observed, interviews with teachers and surveys are conducted with students.
2. Pose a hypothesis. The conclusion is reached that students are unmotivated because they do not find interest in the topics proposed to them and the teaching methods are unattractive.
3. Make a forecastIt is concluded that interest will decrease even further and the problem will deepen.
4. Establish strategies to modify the situationIt is suggested that students propose topics that interest them, that there be more group dynamics, that they use technology to investigate, etc.

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References

• Colombo, M.E. (2016). Psychology and its plurality. Buenos Aires: EUDEBA.
• Cosacov, E. (2005). Introduction to Psychology. Córdoba: Bruges.
• Rossi, G. (2016). A psychology for educators. Santa Rosa: UNLP.