Why do we study psychology?

• Physiological-body and physical processes, cognitive-thinking and mental processes.

• Gain Insight into behavior- why someone behaves the way they do.

• Acquire practical information-how to change or shape behavior by using consequences, increasing memory with mnemonics, etc.

Goals of Psychology

• Describe behavior and gather information• Explain behavior using

hypothesis/educated guess or theories based on a large number of experimental studies.

• Predict behavior• Influence behavior using

• Basic Science- research• Applied Science- ways of using research

in daily life

Scientific Basis of Psychology

• Scientific method- data obtained through experiments, surveys, interviews and case studies

• Question/Problem, data, hypothesis, experiment/test, conclusion and theory.

• Wundt- first Psychology lab

Brief History of Psychology

• Origins of Psychology• Greek Philosophers/Socrates- the mind

is in the heart, tabula rasa/ the mind is a blank slate at birth, and the first theories of personality

• Copernicus and Galileo- used experimentation through observation

• Rene Descartes- refuted dualism stating the interaction between the mind and body.

Historical Approaches

1879 Wilhelm Wundt- experimented on sensations and perception using (introspection) where participants reported their own thoughts and feelings

Functionalism- William James, who is considered the father of American Psychology. He focused on the functions and purposes of the conscious mind, and how thinking helps and organism adapt to the environment. Mary Calkins was the first female PhD in psychology and APA president.

(cont.)

• Galton- stated the idea that heredity is the most important factor over the environment.

• Gestalt Psychology- (Wertheimer, Kohler and Koffa). Perception is more than the sum of its parts. Look at the whole first.

Contemporary Approaches

1. Psychoanalytic Psychology

Sigmund Freud (1856-1939)

interested in the unconscious mind; believed that our conscious experiences are only the beginning of our behaviors;

our unconscious motivations and conflicts are responsible for more human behavior

Used a method known as Free Association – patient said what came to mind no matter how absurd or irrelevant it seemed

Freud’s role of psychoanalyst was to listen and interpret the associations; he believed that this revealed the unconscious processes

Also thought dreams were expressions of unconscious urges

Many modern psychoanalysts still use free association today

2. Behavioral Psychology

Russian physiologist IVAN PAVLOV

Experiment of ringing a tuning fork each time he gave a dog some meat powder and the dog would salivate; repeated several times; soon the dog would salivate just hearing the ring without any food

Psychologists used this experiment to as a tool to help explain that some behavior is a result of prior experiences

Behaviorists stress investigating observable behavior

John B. Watson said they should concern themselves with observable facts; behavior is a result of conditioning and occurs when that appropriate stimulus is present

B.F. Skinner introduced the concept of reinforcement – response to behavior that increase the likelihood the behavior will be repeated

Wrote: Walden Two in which he portrayed his idea of Utopia – a small town in which conditioning, through rewarding those who display good behavior, rules everything

3. Humanistic Psychology

Developed as a reaction to behaviorists

Abraham Maslow, Carl Rogers and Rollo May described nature as evolving and self-directed

Does not think people are controlled by events in the environment or by unconscious forces

They feel that each person is unique and has a self-concept to develop fully

4. Cognitive Psychology

Jean Piaget, Noam Chomsky, Leon Festinger – cognitivists who focus on how we process, store and use information and how this information influences our thinking, language, problem solving and creativity

Behavior is influenced by a variety of mental processes, including perceptions, memories and expectations

5. Biological Psychology

Study the brain, nervouse system, hormones and genetics and their influence on our behavior; use PET and CAT Scans

Behavior is the result of our physiological makeup

6. Sociocultural Psychology

Studying the influence of cultural and ethnic similarities and differences on behavior and social functioning

Look at immigration, gender, socioeconomic status, cultural taboos and norms

Psychology as a Profession

• Psychologist- studies the mind and behavior of organisms

• Specialty fields• Clinical and counseling- most popular, deal

with emotions and problems. ½ of all psychologists working in offices, hospitals, clinics and prisons

• Psychiatry- MD, working with disturbed behavior.

• Development Psychology- study physical, emotional, cognitive and social changes throughout life.

• Educational Psychology- teaching, intelligence, memory, learning and motivation.

(cont.)

• Community psychology- mental health and social welfare.

• Industrial Psychology- business and government agencies to boost production, work conditions, placement and accidents.

• Environmental Psychology- environmental effects at home, work, inside and outside.

• Psychobiologists- electrical, chemical and pharmacological effects on the nervous system.

• Forensic psychology- legal, court and correctional facilities.

• Health Psychology- interactions of the physical and psychological.

• Experimental Psychology- supply research, testing and information (basic science)

• Forensic psychology- legal, court and correctional facilities.

• Health Psychology- interactions of the physical and psychological.

• Experimental Psychology- supply research, testing and information (basic science)

APA founded in 1892.