Post on 01-Jan-2016
Prior to 1879o Physiology and philosophy scholars studying questions
about the mind
Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920) - University of Leipzig, Germany - Campaigned to make psychology an independent discipline
- Established the first laboratory for the study of psychology in 1879
Psychology was born
Leipzig, the place to study psychologyo Graduates of Wundt’s program set up new labs across
Europe and North America
G.Stanley Hall (1846-1924), Johns Hopkins University o Established the first psychology laboratory in the U.S. in
1883
Between 1883 and 1893, 24 new laboratories in North America
Structuralism – led by Edward Titchener• Focused on analyzing consciousness into basic
elements• Introspection – careful, systematic observations of
one’s own conscious experience
Functionalism – led by William James• Focused on investigating the function or purpose of
consciousness• Led to investigation of mental testing, developmental
patterns, and sex differences
Sigmund Freud (1856-1939): Austria
Founded Psychoanalytic school of thought
Emphasis on unconscious processes influencing behavior
o Unconscious = outside awareness
Behavior is influenced by the unconscious
Unconscious conflict related to sexuality plays a central role in behavior
Controversial notions caused debate/resistance
Significant influence on the field of psychology
John B. Watson (1878-1958): United Stateso Founder of Behaviorism o Behaviorist manifesto published in 1913
Psychology = scientific study of behavior
Behavior = overt or observable responses or activitieso Radical reorientation of psychology as a science of
observable behavioro Study of consciousness abandoned
Nurture, not natureo “give me a dozen healthy infants, well-formed, and
my own special world to bring them up in and I’ll guarantee to take any one at random and train him to become any type of specialist I might select – doctor, lawyer, artist, merchant-chief, and yes, even beggar-man and thief…”
Behaviorist school of thought emphasized the environment (nurture)
Focus on stimulus-response relationships
S-R psychology
B.F. Skinner (1904-1990): United States o Environmental factors determine behavioro Responses that lead to positive outcomes are repeatedo Responses that lead to negative outcomes are not
repeatedo Beyond Freedom and Dignityo More controversy regarding free will
Charges that both were de-humanizing
Diverse opposition groups got together to form a loose alliance
A new school of thought emerged - Humanismo Led by Abraham Maslow (1908-1970) and Carl
Rogers (1902-1987)o Emphasis on the unique qualities of humans: freedom
and personal growth
In 1970 20% of students graduating with psychology PhDs were women
In 2005 it had increased to 70%
Female psychologists earn less than male psychologists
Inez Prosser: First African American woman to receive PhD in psych
George Sanchez: conducted work on cultural bias of intelligence tests
Psychologist- 4 to 5 yrs of post grad education- clinical psych: specialized in a clinical subarea- counseling: similar to clinical, however work with different problems such as marriage, family or career setting- DO NOT PRESCRIBE DRUGS
Psychiatrist- can diagnose physical and neurological causes of abnormal behavior- CAN PRESCRIBE DRUGS
Developmental: infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood and old age
Social: social interactions, prejudices, conformity, group behavior etc.
Experimental: research about sensation, perception, learning, human performance, motivation and emotion on animals and humans
Physiological: biological, how does genetics influence behavior
Cognitive: how we process, store, and retrieve info and how it influences behavior
Personality: describe and understand individuals consistency in behavior
Psychometrics: construct, administer and interpret psychological tests
Do not just read and review, ask yourself specific questions
Eliminate distractions
Break up your studying into sessions: brain remembers info longer if it has time to process what you’ve learned
Setting Goals:- time goal- general goal- specific performance goal (did significantly better on exams)
Focuses on the belief that behavior is governed by physiological responses like changes in brain chemistry, brain structure, nervous system, etc.
In other words: behavior is our personality, learning, motivation, emotions etc. So genetics plus our environment influence these behaviors “We are only starting to know
just how much our brain, genes, hormones…determine our behavior.”
Focuses on mental processes (how we encode, process, store, and retrieve information).
Believe that behavior is partially governed by the ways we think and interpret the world.
“How I think, determines my behavior”
the importance of the external environment in shaping behavior. A behavior’s frequency is largely a result of rewards and punishments.
the study of learning.
experimental testing that is observable.
“My observable behaviors are reinforced or punished and this is what determines mybehavior.”
your early childhood plays a huge role in shaping your personality.
childhood traumas and experiences create unconscious drives and conflicts that impact individual personalities.
“My past, my unconscious, determines my behavior”
Focuses on an individual’s free will and potential for growth.
Believes that behavior is determined by each person’s capacity to choose how to think and act which is dictated by their perceptions of the world.
“I choose how I behave”
Focuses on how behaviors and mental processes vary amongst the different cultures of the world
This is a more recent approach that came about as people in different places came into contact with each other more often (globalism)
Used to understand and predict behaviors
“My culture and social environment determines my behavior “