1. Psychoanalytic: Founded by Sigmund Freud, this school of thought emphasizes the role of unconscious processes and childhood experiences in shaping behavior and personality. It focuses on the importance of resolving unconscious conflicts and gaining insight into one's thoughts and feelings.
2. Behaviorism: Developed by psychologists such as John B. Watson and B.F. Skinner, behaviorism focuses on observable behaviors and the environmental factors that influence them. It emphasizes the role of conditioning and reinforcement in shaping behavior, and rejects the idea of studying internal mental processes.
3. Cognitive: The cognitive school of thought focuses on how people think, perceive, and process information. It emphasizes the role of mental processes such as memory, problem-solving, and decision-making in shaping behavior. Cognitive psychologists study how people acquire, store, and retrieve information, and how they use that information to make decisions and solve problems.
4. Humanistic: Humanistic psychology, founded by Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow, emphasizes the importance of personal growth, self-actualization, and the inherent goodness of individuals. It focuses on the idea that people have the capacity to make choices and control their own behavior, and emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, self-acceptance, and personal responsibility.
5. Biological: The biological school of thought focuses on the role of genetics, brain structure, and neurochemicals in shaping behavior and mental processes. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the biological basis of behavior, and how changes in the brain and body can influence psychological functioning. Biological psychologists study how genetics, hormones, and brain activity influence behavior, emotions, and cognition.