introducing psychology history, approaches and themes

Introducing Psychology

History, Approaches and Themes

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“Be a critical thinker. Evaluate the evidence, ask

questions, and don’t assume.”

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An infamous man once said, “How fortune for those in power that people do not

think.”

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What is psychology?

Definition: the study of behavior and mental processes

A unique blend of philosophy and physiology

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I. The Road from Rationalism A. Ancient Greeks

Plato & Aristotle - questioned man’s motivation, consciousness and individual differences

Galen (c. 129-199 A.D) – borrowed Hippocrates’ idea of four bodily “humors” and applied personality traits to each humor

Recognition of individual differences, an early blend of philosophy and physiology

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I’m “Space Saver Guy”!

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Is the mind connected to the body or distinct?

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

B. Pre-scientific Psychology

Rene’ Descartes (1595-1650)

French philosopher, stated “I think, therefore, I am.”

Agreed w/ Plato on the existence of both innate and

derived ideas the mind being linked to, yet

distinct from the body (able to survive it’s death)

8The mind controls the body’s

sensations, perceptions, & movements

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Did you know…

psychology is the fourth most common major?

Psych makes up 6% of undergraduate studies.

Business is the most common, followed by social studies/history

and education.

2008 study

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John Locke (1632 – 1704) – British empiricist who believed

ALL knowledge is a result of experience (Aristotle’s idea of “tabula rasa” )

Knowledge is acquired through careful observation, and experimentation

Both concepts form the basis of modern empiricism

Advances in philosophy (Descartes and Locke) and physiology facilitated the emergence of psychology as a science.

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STOP

Read Phrenology article.



Me again.Did you read your article?

Read it, it’s fun.

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II. Psychology as a Science

Wilhelm Wundt – est. first scientific lab, 1879

University of Leipzig, Germany Focus: scientific study of

consciousness Tool: introspection (careful,

“strained” observation of items such as sensations, memory etc)

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Did you know…

the first machine Wundt used measured the lag time

between people’s hearing a ball hit a platform and their pressing a telegraph key?

Apparently “being aware of our awareness takes a little longer.”

Did you also know that it took 1/10 of a second longer to respond

when participants were asked to press the key when they were

aware they were perceiving a sound verses when they just had to press

the key at the sound.

Myers, 8th ed.

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III. Early American Psychology

A. G. Stanley Hall a student of Wundt est. America’s first psych. research lab

@ Johns Hopkins University, 1883 launched the first U.S psychology

journal first president and a founding father of

the American Psychological Association (APA)

Early American Psychology cont.

B. Edward Titchener, Structuralism Wundt’s student Emphasized studying the elements of

consciousness (i.e. path of perception) Used introspection

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Early American Psychology cont. C. William James, Functionalism

Wundt’s “rival” Focused on how the elements of

consciousness aided the organism – primarily for survival

Ex: James-Lange theory – emotion arises from our interpretation of our physiological responses

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Are you a Tom

Cruise fan?

Why?

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Psychology’s Perspectives… a lot depends on your viewpoint

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IV. Contemporary Approaches/Perspectives

A. Behaviorism Early American school of thought Dominant approach from early 1900’s

until WWII Led by John B. Watson Emphasis on overt behavior, rather than

covert mental processes Focuses on environment and external

stimuli

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“Aggressive Joe”Using the information you just read, how would

you explain Joe’s is aggressiveness from the behaviorist perspective?

Joe behaves aggressively because...

Engage your !!!

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STOP

Read “The Founder of Behaviorism” & answer questions.

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“The Founder of Behaviorism” Questions

(right hand side of notes)

1. What did Watson view as “the obvious failings of introspection”?

2. Why did Watson feel his work would distinguish psychology as a true science?

3. Emotion appears to be an internal process, how could Watson justify his study of emotion as a behavioral process?

Answers due at the beginning of next period!!

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B. Psychoanalysis/Psychodynamic

Approach

Developed in Europe parallel to behaviorism developing in the U.S.

Founded by Sigmund Freud

Emphasis on the influence of childhood, the unconscious, and instincts

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Psychoanalysis/Psychodynamic Approach con’t

Freud claimed actions have unconscious motives, rather than the rational reason we assign them

He stated our unconscious desires manifest themselves in dreams, slips of speech and emotional problems (hysteria)

Other famous psychodynamic theorists: Carl Jung, Alfred Adler & Karen Horney

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you explain Joe’s is aggressiveness from the psychodynamic perspective.


Engage your !!!

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C. Humanist Approach (the third force)

Emerged in 1950’s in response to psychoanalysis and behaviorism

Led by Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers

Emphasis on man’s unique qualities ability to exercise free will innate drive to reach his fullest potential

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“Aggressive Joe”Using the information you just read explain why Joe is aggressive from the humanist perspective.


Engage your !!!

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Did you know…

the nature vs. nurture controversy is one of psychology’s biggest

issues?

Myers, 8th ed.

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D. Biological Approach Re-emerged in the 1950’ s as a result

of increased biological research Places emphasis on physiological

changes within the body A reductionistic view

reduces overt behavior to underlying neurological, biochemical and/or neuromuscular responses

Famed researchers James Olds (1956) – demonstrated

electrical stimulation of the brain can evoke emotion

Roger Sperry (1981) – brain hemisphere specialization

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“Aggressive Joe”Using the information you just read explain why Joe is aggressive from the biological perspective.


Engage your !!!

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Re-emerged in the 1950’s Tied to structuralism and functionalism Principal contributors: Jean Piaget and

Noam Chomsky Emphasis on mental processes

underlying behavior (knowledge/language acquisition, problem solving & memory)

E. Cognitive Approach

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you explain why Joe is aggressive from the cognitive perspective.


Engage your !!!

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F. Evolutionary Approach Emerged in the 1980’s Examines behavioral processes in terms

of their adaptive value for members of a species over the course of many generations

Emphasis on behaviors which have evolved to assure survival/reproductive success

Ex: male spatial skills vs. female landmark memory

Led by David Buss

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you explain why Joe is aggressive from the evolutionary perspective.


Engage your !!!

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G. Multicultural Approach Emerged in the 1980s/90s Attempt to study psychological issues

across many cultures from the point of view of individuals w/in that culture

* Eclectic Approach A combination of various approaches

to best serve the demands of the situation

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Read and take notes (in your spiral) over pages 17 – 26 Make note of major research areas and dominant themes Write a brief summary of each of the following areas of

psychology Identify and explain Psychology’s Sub Fields Forensic Psychologist Clinical Psychologists Counseling Psychologists Social Psychologists School Psychologists Experimental Psychologists Educational Psychologists Industrial & Organizational Developmental Psychologists Consumer Psychologists

On Your Own

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