Psychology

Name: Wasiq Sajjad
Roll Number: 21L-1772

Section: 8B
Assignment: Classical Researches (with

reference) relevant to SoT and/or Perspectives.
Structuralism: Wundt's research on the structure of

consciousness (1896)
Wilhelm Wundt, considered the founder of experimental psychology, was a pivotal figure in the
development of structuralism - a school of thought in psychology that originated in the 19th and
early 20th centuries. His book, "Grundriss der Psychologie" (Outline of Psychology), outlined his
theory of structuralism, which holds that the task of psychology is to study the structure of
consciousness and identify its essential elements. To do this, Wundt employed introspection - a
method that asked subjects to describe their conscious experiences in detail.
Wundt's research on the structure of consciousness had a profound influence on the

development of psychology, especially in the areas of perception, sensation, and attention. He
identified three basic dimensions of sensation (quality, intensity, and duration), as well as two
types of attention (voluntary and involuntary).
While his structuralist approach was revolutionary, it was also met with criticism for its reliance
on subjective introspection and its inability to account for individual differences in perception and
experience. Nevertheless, it laid the foundation for other psychological schools of thought, such
as behaviorism and functionalism.
Functionalism: James' research on the functions of the

mind and the concept of stream of consciousness (1890)
William James' groundbreaking 1890 book, "The Principles of Psychology," launched the school
of thought known as Functionalism. This influential American psychologist and philosopher
believed that the purpose of the mind was to adjust to the environment. He explored how mental
processes could help this adaptive function, introducing the concept of stream of consciousness
– the uninterrupted stream of subjective experiences that make up an individual's conscious
experience.
James' revolutionary research had a lasting impact on psychology, particularly in the areas of
emotion, attention, and memory. He proposed that emotions were the result of physical
responses interpreted by the brain and that attention was focusing on one part of the
environment while ignoring other stimuli.
Though his approach was criticized for its lack of empirical evidence and subjective
introspection, James' contributions to the field of psychology remain highly regarded. His
emphasis on mental processes as adaptive tools opened the door for Behaviorism and
Cognitive Psychology, making him a major figure in the development of psychology as a
science.
Behaviorism: Pavlov's research on classical conditioning

(1897)
Behaviorism emphasizes the study of observable behaviors rather than inner mental processes.
Ivan Pavlov, a Russian physiologist who researched the process of classical conditioning.
In 1897, Pavlov published a paper titled "The Work of the Digestive Glands," in which he
described his experiments with dogs and their saliva. He theorized that the dogs had learned to
associate the sound of the bell with the presence of food and that this association had become
so strong that the sound of the bell alone was enough to elicit a salivary response.
Pavlov's research on classical conditioning had a significant impact on the development of

behaviorism, as it provided a clear example of how behavior can be shaped through experience
and association. Pavlov's work also inspired other behaviorists, such as B.F. Skinner developed
the theory of operant conditioning, which emphasizes the role of rewards and punishments in
shaping behavior.
Psychoanalysis: Freud's research on the unconscious

mind and the structure of personality (1896)
Sigmund Freud, an Austrian neurologist. His research on the unconscious mind, its structure,
and the role of early childhood experiences in shaping personality and behavior laid the
foundation for the development of psychoanalysis.
In 1896, Freud published “The Aetiology of Hysteria”, in which he described his findings on the
unconscious mind and its role in producing physical symptoms that had no organic cause. He
proposed that these symptoms were the result of repressed emotions and conflicts that had
been pushed out of awareness.
Freud’s work on the unconscious mind was groundbreaking and has had a lasting impact on the
field of psychology. His model of the structural mind, which included the conscious,
preconscious, and unconscious, as well as a model of personality that included the id, ego, and
superego, is still being studied and applied today in a variety of fields including therapy and
counseling.
Cognitive Psychology: Piaget's research on cognitive

development in children (1932)
Jean Piaget is recognized as a key figure in cognitive psychology, and his 1932 book "The
Moral Judgment of the Child" was pivotal in the development of this school of thought.
Piaget's research focused on how children's moral reasoning develops over time. He observed
that children's moral reasoning changes as they grow, progressing through the sensorimotor
stage, the preoperational stage, the concrete operational stage, and the formal operational
stage.
His work had a major impact on cognitive psychology, providing a framework for understanding
how mental processes change and develop over time. Piaget also introduced the concept of
schema, which is used to describe the mental structures that people use to organise their
experiences.
The legacy of Piaget's research lives on in fields such as education and developmental
psychology, and his work continues to be studied and applied today. His contribution to
cognitive psychology has been incredibly important and his research has helped us to gain a
better understanding of how our mental processes change and develop throughout our lives.

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Name: Wasiq Sajjad

Roll Number: 21L-1772

Assignment: Classical Researches (with

Structuralism: Wundt's research on the structure of

Wundt's research on the structure of consciousness had a profound influence on the

Functionalism: James' research on the functions of the

Behaviorism: Pavlov's research on classical conditioning

Pavlov's research on classical conditioning had a significant impact on the development of

Psychoanalysis: Freud's research on the unconscious

Cognitive Psychology: Piaget's research on cognitive

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