Psychology 001Introduction to

Psychology

Christopher Gade, PhDOffice: 621 Heafey

Office hours: F 3-6 and by apt. Email: gadecj@gmail.com

Class WF 7:00-8:30

A Brief History of Psychology

Why do we need to know the history of psychology?

To know why our famous historical figures thought the way they did, and addressed the topics for which they became famous.

To sound intelligent when we discuss psychology with our friends.

To get an idea of why current areas of psychology exist today. History is the witness that testifies to the passing

of time; it illumines reality, vitalizes memory, provides guidance in daily life and brings us tidings of antiquity.

Cicero Pro Publio Sestio

The Beginning Psychology’s roots come from the field of

philosophy. Within the early conception of this field, a number of key issues were often addressed. Three of the major ones were… The mind/body/brain problem

Are the mind, brain, and body independent of each other?

Blank slate dilemma Are humans born preprogrammed with

behaviors and knowledge or not?

Free will versus determinism Do we have consciousness, or are we

automatons responding to stimuli in our environment?

Socrates (469-399 BC)

Often cited as one of the first psychologists. Most of what we know of him was from one

of his “students” Plato. Supposedly addressed the concept of the soul in

his dialogues, suggesting that it was separate from the body. This concept was later defined as “dualism”.

Most likely believed that morality and intelligence were things that were contained within the human at birth (innate).

Best known for his attempts to study ideas through his “Socratic Method” of teaching.

Aristotle (384-322 BC) The “intellectual grandson” of Socrates. Studied under Plato at the Academy. Well renowned for his attempts to study a

large spectrum of topics, not just philosophy. Pushed for a more scientific attempt to

understand the world and the mind. “theory must follow fact”

*Came to conclude that the soul was inseparable from the body.

*Reasoned that our intelligence is not preexisting, but instead result from experiences.

Our Modern World of Psychology Wilhelm Wundt

(pronounce voondt) Established the first

“psychological” laboratory in Leipzig, Germany (1879).

Measured different types of sensory and physiological responses to stimuli.

keys example Disney movies

example “What are the

components of experience, or mind?”

Edward Titchener Student of Wundt’s Moved to the US and began

teaching at Cornell University in 1892

Started an area of research labeled as “structuralism” The study of the basic elements

and structures that compose the mind.

The majority of his research was done through a form of research called introspection* Orange example *This was originally designed by

Wundt, but was used extensively by Titchener in his research

William James Best known for his introduction of

the concept of “functionalism” in psychology. “Don’t concern yourselves with the parts

and structures of the mind and brain, instead ask: what is the purpose behind the actions of our mind?”

The eye example Wrote THE most influential book in the

field of psychology: The Principles of Psychology (1890)

Sigmund Freud His theories made the field of psychology

not only popular with the majority of thepopulation, it also made it “sexy”.

Introduced his ideas of the subconscious, repression, and psychoanalysis in his book “The Interpretation of Dreams (1900)”.

Despite his many shortcomings, a number of his ideas and methodologies are still in circulation today (though most of them have been either restructured, or entirely removed from popular psychology).

A Move to Behaviorism (1920’s) A few years after Freud made

psychology popular, the psychological community shifted their focus in an entirely different direction. “The mind is too vast, our measurements

too limited, and our perceptions to vague and biased to truly understand the function of our minds through measurement.”

This change was believed to be based on a reaction to: The rapid growth of the field The direction that the field was taking The mystical based interpretation of the

field

The Cognitive Revolution (1970’s) Behaviorism, though very helpful in a

number of areas, could not explain everything. latent learning example language acquisition example

New forms of measurement (EEG, fMRI) had also begun to separate the field of psychology away from a strictly behaviorist approach.

Today’s Modern World of Psychology

Current goals

Different areas of psychology

What do psychologists actually do?

The Goal of Psychologist Despite what you may be hoping for,

psychologists are not able to “control” human behavior.

Their goal is to understand and define how the mind and body play roles in our interpretations, desires, approaches, and behaviors.

Different Areas of Psychology Biological Psychology Evolutionary Psychology Motivation Psychology Cognitive Psychology Behavioral Psychology Personality Psychology Developmental Psychology Social Psychology Cultural Psychology Industrial/Organizational

Psychology Clinical Psychology

But, what do psychologists do? With a BA or a BS:

not much in the area of psychology

With an MA: Ergonomics, teaching, I/O,

marketing, counseling, sales, forensics, research

With a higher degree (PhD, PsyD, etc.) Research, teaching, clinical

work

Different Types of Clinical Psychology

Clinical Psychologist Psychiatrist Psychoanalyst Clinical Social Worker Counseling Psychologist Forensic Psychologist

What you need to know… Most of today’s topics in psychology can

be traced back to much earlier roots.

There is a wide array of different topics that psychologists address.

Psychologists can be found in a large variety of different occupational fields.