The Science of Psychology

Chapter 1

Chapter 1 Learning Objective Menu

Ψ LO 1.1 Definition, goals, and philosophical influences of psychology

Ψ LO 1.2 Structuralism and functionalism

Ψ LO 1.3 Early Gestalt, psychoanalysis, and behaviorism

Why / How / What If?

Ψ Why? Well, it is an introduction course thus definitions and history are included!

Ψ Undergo through basic process of introspection and measuring one’s reflexes for structuralism.

Ψ What if there is no psychology up to this date?

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What is Psychology?Ψ Psychology - scientific study of behavior and

mental processes.- Behavior - outward or overt actions and

reactions.

- Mental processes - internal, covert activity of our minds such as feelings, dreams, motives, memory, and other subjective experiences.

- Scientific study - Prevent possible biases from leading to faulty observations. Precise and careful measurement and methodology.

LO 1.1 Definition, goals, an d philosophical influences of psychology

Psychology’s Four Goals1. Description

Ψ What is happening?

2. ExplanationΨ Why is it happening?Ψ Theory - general explanation of a set of

observations or facts

3. PredictionΨ Will it happen again?

4. ControlΨ How can it be changed?

LO 1.1 Definition, goals, an d philosophical influences of psychology

Philosophical Influences

Ψ A Question: How are mind and body related?

Ψ René Descartes (1596–1650)—Interactive dualism

Ψ The mind and body interact to produce conscious experience

LO 1.1 Definition, goals, an d philosophical influences of psychology

Philosophical Influences

Ψ Another Question: Nature vs. Nurture

Ψ Are abilities determined by our genes or our experiences?

Ψ What are the interactions between genetics and environment?

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LO 1.1 Definition, goals, an d philosophical influences of psychology

StructuralismΨ Structuralism - focused on structure or basic

elements of the mind.Ψ Wilhelm Wundt’s psychology laboratory

• Germany in 1879• Edward Titchener - Wundt’s student; brought

structuralism to America.

• Developed the technique of objective introspection – process of objectively examining and measuring one’s thoughts and mental activities. Also focused on basic sensory and perceptual processes such as reflex action.

• Structuralism died out in early 1900s due to infighting.

LO 1.2 Structuralism and functionalism

Structuralism - Introspection

What exactly are you FEELING right now?

__________________________________________________________________What exactly are you THINKING right

now?__________________________________________________________________

LO 1.2 Structuralism and functionalism

Structuralism – Measuring Reflex

Place the tip of the ruler (at 0) where the index finger and thumb is for your classmate then release it and your classmate should catch the ruler. Measure how many cm it dropped before it was caught and record it below. Two tries each.

Student A Student B Student C___ ___ ___

___ ___ ___

LO 1.2 Structuralism and functionalism

Other Notable Pioneers

Ψ Margaret Washburn (1871-1939)• Titchener’s student• First woman to earn a Ph.D. in psychology.

Ψ Mary Whiton Calkins (1863-1930)• Student of James (Functionalism)• First woman president of APA

LO 1.2 Structuralism and functionalism

Why are they notable? ________________________

FunctionalismΨ Functionalism - how the mind allows

people to adapt, live, work, and play.Ψ William JamesΨ Influenced the modern fields of:

• Educational psychology• Evolutionary psychology• Industrial/organizational psychology

LO 1.2 Structuralism and functionalism

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Gestalt Psychology• Gestalt – “good figure” psychology.• Sensation and perception.• Gestalt ideas are now part of the

study of cognitive psychology, which also includes learning, memory, thought processes, and problem solving.

• What do you see in the pictures on the right? Whole is greater than the sum of its parts!

LO 1.3 Early Gestalt, psychoanalysis, and behaviorism

PsychoanalysisΨ Psychoanalysis - the theory and therapy

based on the work of Sigmund Freud.Ψ Freud’s patients suffered from nervous

disorders with no found physical cause.• Freud proposed that there is an unconscious

(unaware) mind into which we push, or repress, all of our threatening urges and desires.

• He believed that these repressed urges, in trying to surface, created nervous disorders.

• Freud stressed the importance of early childhood experiences.

LO 1.3 Early Gestalt, psychoanalysis, and behaviorism

BehaviorismΨ Behaviorism - the science of behavior that

focuses on observable behavior only.• Must be directly seen and measured.

Ψ Proposed by John B. Watson.• Based much from work of Ivan Pavlov who

demonstrated that a reflex could be conditioned (learned).

• Watson believed that phobias were learned.• Case of “Little Albert” – taught to fear a white rat.

LO 1.3 Early Gestalt, psychoanalysis, and behaviorism

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1. What are the four goals of psychology?________ ________ ________ ________

Answer the following as True or False:2. Freud believed that unconscious urges repressed

create nervous disorders? ______3. You did some activities to facilitate your learning for

structuralism. ______4. Gestalt Psychology is now part of Psychodynamic

perspective. ______5. Behaviorism is to Watson as Psychodynamic /

Psychoanalysis is to Freud? ______

6. Why is psychology a science? ______________________________________________________________