As a result of scientific disputes, in the 20th century the difference in approaches to the mental development of man gave birth to various theories explaining how his behavior and the formation of certain traits of character .
Basic theories of mental development
- Psychoanalytic . Its founder is Z. Freud. All processes of a mental nature have their origin in the unconscious part of each of us. In addition, it is commonly believed that the development of the psyche is influenced by the formation of a sexual instinct that has its origins since infancy.
- Genetic . This theory of mental development of man involves the study of the psyche purely in terms of the interaction of the individual and his environment. The foundation of the psyche is the intellect, through which memory, perception , emotional states are perfected.
- Behavioral . The behavior of each of us, starting from the moment of birth and ending with the last day of life, is, most importantly, in this scientific assumption. Behaviorists do not consider it reasonable to consider the imagination of a person, her consciousness, feelings apart from the development of her behavior.
- Gestalt . Representatives of this theory believe that the level of mental development determines perception. Moreover, this formation is divided into training and growth.
- Humanistic . A person is an open system capable of self-development. All of us are individual, therefore as inside of each there are unique combinations of qualities. The essence of each personality lies in conscious motives, and not in instincts.
- Cultural and historical . Its representative L. Vygotsky, who also developed the theory of the development of higher mental functions, saw the meaning of the psyche in the ability of man to own his own mind and mental state. The main principle of the exercise is the analysis of development from the point of view of a specific historical period.