prologue: psychologys roots definition of psychology the science of behavior (what we do) and mental...

Prologue: Psychology’s Roots

Definition of PsychologyThe science of behavior (what we do) and mental processes (sensations, perceptions, dreams, thoughts, beliefs, and feelings)Psyche – SoulLogos – The Study of


Prescientific Psychology Is the mind connected to the body

or distinct? Aristotle (heart) Plato (head)

Are ideas inborn or is the mind a blank slate filled by experience?

Are we controlled by natural elements or supernatural elements?

Religion vs. Science Religion/Supernatural Hippocrates/Natural Galen/4 Greek Humors Gall/Phrenology

Prologue: Contemporary Psychology

John Lockeempiricist; believed that knowledge is acquired solely through life experiences. Tabula Rasa: blank tabletClaimed each of us is born a blank slate on which are written the life experiences we acquire through our senses.(Plato believed just the opposite)


Rene Descartesrationalist; insisted we should doubt everything that is not proved by our own reasoning. True knowledge comes through correct reasoning and it is inborn.


Psychological Science Is BornEmpiricism

Knowledge comes from experience via the senses

Science flourishes through observation and experiment

Wilhelm Wundt

Wundt is referred to as the “father of psychology” because in 1879 he started the first laboratory in psychology for studying humans.

He broke into parts the elements of feelings and thought.

Using a procedure called “introspection” he introduced scientific procedure to study feelings.


Structuralism used introspection (looking in) to explore the elemental structures or “atoms” of the human mind

Other PioneersG. Stanley Hall (1844-1924)

Wundt’s student, brought lab to USA at John’s Hopkins University

Edward Titchener (1867–1927) Wundt’s student, professor at Cornell University

William James (1842–1910) started psychology at Harvard in 1870s opposed Wundt and Titchener’s approach functionalism – influenced by Darwin to focus on

how behaviors help us adapt to the environment

Sigmund Freud (1856–1939) Austrian physician that focused on illness psychoanalytic theory of mental disorders

E. B. Titchener (1867–1927)

William James

In 1890, he published Principles of Psychology. The book was 1400 pages long, two volumes in length and it took him 12 years to write.

Unlike Wundt, he did not want to break behavior into parts; instead, he never wanted to lose sight of the individual as a whole. His goal was to uncover the “functions” of the mind …FUNCTIONALISM

James is considered to be one of the founders of American psychology.


Functionalism focused on how behavioral processes function- how they enable organism to adapt, survive, and flourish

Other PioneersJohn B. Watson (1878–1958)

psychologists should study overt behavior

Adapted Pavlovian learning theory to humans

B. F. Skinner (1904–1990) American psychologist at Harvard studied learning and effect of

reinforcement behaviorism

John B. Watson (1878–1958)

B. F. Skinner (1904–1990)


Psychological Science Develops Wundt--German philosopher and

physiologist James--American philosopher Pavlov--Russian physiologist Freud--Austrian physician Piaget--Swiss biologist Wortheimer, Kohler, Koffka –

Czech perceptual psychologists


Psychology’s Big IssuesStability vs. Change

Do our individual traits persist as we age?

Do we become older versions of ourselves?


Rationality vs. Irrationality Rationality– reasonableness, good sense

of equity and proportion Irrationality– not reasonable in thinking

or behaving, distorted perception of reality

Philosophical Developments Another Question:

Nature vs. Nurture

the relative contribution that genes and experience make to development of psychological traits and behaviors

Are abilities determined by our genes or our experiences?

What are the interactions between genetics and environment?

What effect does it have on behavior?


Psychology’s Perspectives

Approaches to Psychology

Biological

Behavioral

Psychoanalytic

Humanistic

Cognitive

Sociocultural

A. Biological/Neuroscience Perspective

Study the physiological mechanisms in the brain and nervous system that organize and control behavior

Focus may be at various levels individual neurons areas of the brain specific functions like eating, emotion, or learning

Interest in behavior distinguishes biological psychology from many other biological sciences

B. Evolutionary Perspective

Influenced by Darwin and the emphasis on innate, adaptive behavior patterns

Application of principles of evolution to explain behavior and psychological processes

On the Origin of Species was published in 1859. His theory was that humans and animals had evolved and changed. His theory inspired scientists to study animals in order to understand human behavior.

Charles Darwin


Natural selection principle that

those inherited trait variations contributing to survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations

Charles Darwin

C. Behavior-Genetics Perspective

Influenced by Nature vs. Nurture Debate

How do our genes influence behavior and how does our environment influence our mental processes?

John B. Watson

Watson studied the impact of learning on people. This led to the school of behaviorism.

He believed that careful and structured parenting could eliminate psychological problems.

Watson later wrote a book applying scientific methods to raising children.

The Behavioral Approach

This approach emphasizes that behavior is primarily the result of learning and not due to a person’s thoughts and unconscious processes.

People such as B. F. Skinner (pictured to the left) and John B. Watson are called behaviorists.

D. Behavioral Perspective

View of behavior based on experience or learning

Classical conditioning Operant conditioning

E. Cognitive PerspectiveHow is knowledge acquired,

organized, remembered, and used to guide behavior?

Influences include Wortheimer, Kohler, Koffka – Gestalt

Find the “whole pattern” of our perceptions

Piaget – studied intellectual development Chomsky – studied language Cybernetics – science of information

processing

F. The Sociocultural ApproachThis approach looks at the impact that society, culture, ethnicity, race, and religion have on personality.

Psychoanalytic Cognitive

Cross-Cultural Perspective

The study of psychological differences among people living in different cultural groups

How are people’s thoughts, feelings and behavior influenced by their culture?

What are the common elements across culture? Are these innate?

Sigmund Freud

Freud developed the first comprehensive theory of human development and behavior, especially how the personality develops.

He believed that childhood memories and thoughts influenced the behavior of people when they became adults.

G. Psychodynamic Perspective

View of behavior based on experience treating patients

Psychoanalytic approach (Sigmund Freud) both a method of treatment and a theory of the

mind behavior reflects combinations of conscious and

unconscious influences drives and urges within the unconscious

component of mind influence thought and behavior early childhood experiences shape unconscious

motivations

H. Humanistic Perspective

Developed by Abraham Maslow & Carl Rogers

behavior reflects innate ‘actualization’ focus on conscious forces and self

perception more positive view of basic forces than

Freud’s

The Humanistic Approach

Carl Rogers is the best known of the humanists.

This approach emphasizes that people have free will, self-concepts and are basically good. Humanists believe that every person can fulfill his or her potential.

Carl Rogers (1902–1987) Abraham Maslow (1908–1970)

Psychology should study how behavior and mental processes allow organisms to adapt to their environments

School/Approach Evolutionary perspective

Founder Charles Darwin

Psychology should emphasize people’s unique potential for psychological growth

School/Approach Humanistic

Founder Maslow

Psychology should only study observable behavior?

School/Approach Behaviorism

Founder Watson/Skinner

Which Perspective?

Which Perspective?

Emily is anxious because of

a hormonal imbalance. Once the doctors prescribe the right medicine, she feels “normal” again.

Which Perspective?

Samantha won’t acknowledge that she has an addiction. She’d rather lie to herself than admit the truth. Even though she wants to quit, she keeps going back to the same old habits. Each time she finds herself giving in to her urges and using, she finds a way to “forget” it ever happened so she doesn’t feel guilty.

Which Perspective?

Betty is a naughty child because her parents never give her consequences and they always give in to her demands. She often throws tantrums and acts out at the grocery store because she knows they will buy her treats to keep her quiet. They are training her to have a “naughty” personality.

Which Perspective?

Bob is depressed because he keeps thinking self-defeating thoughts. He never looks at the bright side of things. Once he gets into a negative mood, his thoughts spiral him down emotionally into a state of depression.

Which Perspective?

Fernando would like to be on the varsity team before he graduates. He sets a goal to works every day throughout the off season to get better. However, his parents didn’t think it is worth his time. They make him get a summer job. When tryouts arrive, he is not selected for the team. He feels defeated and his self-esteem suffers, causing him to perform poorly in school.

Which Perspective?

Roger spent his entire childhood in a rough neighborhood. He learned that fighting is part of life. When he moved to a new neighborhood his junior year, his parents were embarrassed by the number of times he got suspended for fighting. If only the administration knew where he’s really coming from….


Psychology’s Perspectives A lot depends on your viewpoint


Psychology’s SubfieldsBasic Research

Physiological psychologists explore the links between brain and mind

Developmental psychologists study changing abilities from womb to tomb

Cognitive psychologists study how we perceive, think, and solve problems


Psychology’s SubfieldsBasic Research

Personality psychologists investigate our persistent traits

Social psychologists explore how we view and affect one another


Psychology’s SubfieldsApplied Research

Industrial/organizational psychologists study and advise on behavior in the workplace

Clinical psychologists study, assess, and treat people with psychological disorders


Psychiatry A branch of medicine dealing with

psychological disorders Practiced by physicians who

sometimes use medical (for example, drug) treatments as well as psychotherapy

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