Post on 17-Dec-2015
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.
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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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“Aggressive Joe”Using the information you just read, how would
you explain Joe’s is aggressiveness from the psychodynamic perspective.
Joe behaves aggressively because...
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.
Joe behaves aggressively because...
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.
Joe behaves aggressively because...
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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“Aggressive Joe”Using the information you just read, how would
you explain why Joe is aggressive from the cognitive perspective.
Joe behaves aggressively because...
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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“Aggressive Joe”Using the information you just read, how would
you explain why Joe is aggressive from the evolutionary perspective.
Joe behaves aggressively because...
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