Psychology Theories and Frameworks by Inventors: An AP Psychology Overview

Foundational Figures & Theories

• Wilhelm Wundt: Introspection, Father of Psychology

• Max Wertheimer: Gestalt Psychology

• Edward Titchener: Structuralism

• William James: Functionalism

• John B. Watson: Behaviorism, Little Albert Study

• Sigmund Freud: Psychoanalytic Theory, Dream Analysis, Free Association, Structure of Personality, Stages of Development, Defense Mechanisms

Key Contributors & Concepts

• Stanley Milgram: Obedience, Ethics in Psychological Research

• Paul Broca: Expressive Language (Broca’s Area in Left Frontal Lobe)

• Carl Wernicke: Receptive Language (Wernicke’s Area in Left Frontal Lobe)

• Ivan Pavlov: Classical Conditioning with Dogs

• Edward Thorndike: Instrumental Learning, Law of Effect

• B.F. Skinner: Operant Conditioning with Rats and Pigeons

• Edward C. Tolman: Latent Learning, Cognitive Maps

• Albert Bandura: Observational Learning, Bobo Dolls, Social-Cognitive Theory

• Hermann Ebbinghaus: Forgetting, Decay Model

• Noam Chomsky: Inherent Existence of Cognitive Structures

• Benjamin Lee Whorf: Linguistic Relativity Hypothesis

• Research with Apes (Washoe, Sara, Koko): Language Studies

Psychological Perspectives & Theorists

• Karen Horney: Basic Childhood Anxiety, Psychoanalytic Perspective

• Erik Erikson: Life Crisis, Psycho-social Development, Psychoanalytic Perspective

• Alfred Adler: Inferiority Complex, Psychoanalytic Perspective

• Jean Piaget: Stages of Cognitive Development, Cognitive Theorist

• Carl Rogers: Client-centered Therapy, Unconditional Positive Regard

• Albert Ellis: Rational Emotive Therapy, Cognitive Theorist

• Abraham Maslow: Hierarchy of Needs, Humanistic Perspective

• Alfred Binet: Intelligence Quotient (I.Q.)

• Hans Eysenck: Biological Model of Personality, Trait-type Hierarchy

• Harry Harlow: Monkey Studies on Attachment

• Konrad Lorenz: Survival of the Fittest Theory, Imprinting

• Phineas Gage: Case Study on Effects of Brain Damage on Emotion/Motivation

• Aaron Beck: Cognitive Therapy for Depression

• Henry A. Murray: Need to Achieve, Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)

• Gordon Allport: Trait Approach (Cardinal, Central, Secondary Traits)

• Raymond Cattell: Crystallized & Fluid Intelligence

• George Kelly: Personal Construct Theory

• Walter Mischel: Social-learning Theory

• Carol Gilligan: Moral Differences Based on Gender, Ethics of Care

This overview organizes influential figures in psychology alongside their key theories and contributions, structured to align with the frameworks typically covered in AP Psychology courses. Each entry succinctly captures the essence of the psychologists’ theories and their impact on the field.