Structuralism

In the mid 1800s, from the 8 roots of psychology (Scientific Materialism, Associationism, Critical, Empiricism, Physiology, Biology, Atomism, Quantification, Laboratories in which to perform scientific study.) came about a what most consider to be the first school of psychology; Structuralism. Pioneered by Wilhelm Wundt, structuralism, as may be deduced from the name, attempts to break down the mind and conscious experience into its basic elements and processes; into it's simplest definable components.

Structuralism is the full embodiment of the 8 roots of psychology: Materialistic in the idea that the mind and mental processes are of a measurable nature/substance. Physiological and biological in examining the physical influences through which the mind might be effected. Atomistic in the insistence that the mind can be broken down into basic elements. Associationistic in the insistence that there are causes to metal processes and behavior (as opposed to just randomly occurring phenomena). Critically empiric in its attempt to describe reality based on observation. Quantifiable in its attempt to make psychological phenomena measurable. And of course the introduction of laboratories as a psychological ground for study.

The principle method of study for structuralism is introspection, in which trained individuals, in a congenial environment (such as Wundt's laboratory), perform self observation of their own mental processes and attempt to break them down to their most basic elements (more often than not employing specifically designed observational vocabulary). Ultimately structuralism defines the mind as the occurrence of sensations of the current experience and feelings representing previous experience. This view was propagated by a contemporary of Wundt, Edward Titchener.

Structuralism set the stage for the later, and somewhat more influential and enduring discipline, functionalism.