Apart from the different types, psychology also has separate directions. The most popular one is the theory of psychoanalysis that was developed by Sigmund Freud and got popular thanks to the efforts of his followers.

The directions in psychology often offer theories on personality development, methods of diagnosis, and treatment of mental disorders. At the same time, some of these directions limit those who study them to general emotional issues.

The following directions are good for a deeper study:

Psychoanalysis is a broad direction that includes the theory of personality structure, stages of its development, the study of defense mechanisms, and the formation of complexes. Sigmund Freud developed a method of treating neuroses based on the interpretation of conflicts, dreams, free associations, and the study of the obtained material with the subsequent restructuring of the psyche. The books written by Freud himself, as well as those of his followers, such as Anna Freud, Carl Jung, and Melanie Klein, will be helpful when studying psychoanalysis.
Gestalt psychology is a direction that studies the specifics of perception and thinking, putting forward the principle of integrity and completeness as an explanation of psychological conflict. Gestalt psychologists believe that an individual lives through a conflict over and over because it’s not completed. One needs to work it out and escape the situation before the emotional balance can be restored. When studying this theory, pay attention to the books of its founders, Max Wertheimer, Kurt Koffka, and Wolfgang Köhler.
Humanistic psychology studies the moral and social aspects of a human personality, including values, self-actualization, creativity, love, the desire for freedom, mental health, interpersonal communication, and much more. The most popular work in humanistic psychology is A Theory of Human Motivation by Abraham Maslow, which formed the basis of the famous hierarchy of needs.
Existential psychology investigates a human’s world and their being, discusses the meaning of life, and the act of overcoming anxiety. Initially, existentialism emerged as a philosophical movement but later transformed into psychological analysis and therapy. The works of Viktor Frankl, Rollo May, and Irvin D. Yalom will be helpful when studying this direction.

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