Evolution of Psychology

The Structuralists and the Functionalists and What Came After

Psychology’s Roots

• Psychology originally was an offshoot of philosophy and physiology.

• Wilhelm Wundt (1832 – 1920) was the first to make psychology an independent discipline. Hence, he’s called the “father of psychology.”

• In 1879 Wundt created the first research laboratory in psychology at the University of Leipzig.

• In 1881 Wundt created the first psychological journal.

• Wundt believed that the subject of psychology should be CONSCIOUSNESS – the mind and mental processes.

• The first American research laboratory was created by G. Stanley Hall (1846 – 1924) at Johns Hopkins University in 1883. (He was a student of Wundt’s.)

• Hall also founded the American Psychological Association in 1892.

Structuralists vs. Functionalists

• The STRUCTURALIST school of thought, led by Edward Titchener, believed that psychology should break consciousness into its basic elements (sensations, images, feelings, etc.) and find the interrelationships between the elements.

• They believed the way to uncover the structure, was through introspection.

• Structuralists focused most of their research on laboratory tests of sensation and perception.

• However, the FUNCTIONALISTS, led by William James, believed that more important than the structure of consciousness was the purpose or function of consciousness.

• James wrote, Principles of Psychology (1890), the most important text in the history of psychology.

• Functionalism was influenced by Darwinism and concept of natural selection.

• James wanted to study the flow of conscious experience – the stream of consciousness.

• Functionalists studied; testing, child development, educational practices, and the behavioral differences between men and women.

The Victory of Functionalism

• Though we don’t still divide psychologists into structuralists or functionalists, and though many psychologists study perception and sensation, since functionalism is the ancestor of both the behavioral school of psychology and applied psychology, it is given the edge over structuralism.

Behaviorism

• Based on the belief that psychology should only study observable behavior.

• Founded by John Watson ( 1878 – 1958).

• Wanted to increase the verifiability of psychology’s subject matter => to turn psychology into more of a hard science

• “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 thief, regardless of his talents, penchants, tendencies, abilities, vocations and race of his ancestors.” John Watson

Psychoanalysis: the antithesis of behaviorism

• Sigmund Freud (1856 – 1939), an Austrian doctor, was the founder of what is now called the psychoanalytic school of psychology.

• Freud’s greatest contribution was his concept of the role of the unconscious mind in governing human behavior.

The Unconscious

• Storehouse of thoughts, memories that are not remembered in the usual sense, yet are motivators of behavior.

• Psychoanalytic theory looks at the role of the unconscious in the formation of personality, motivation, development, etc.

• Freud’s work was very controversial because he discussed the role of sex (in Victorian times) and because of the anti-Semitism that was rampant in Europe at the time.

Back to Behaviorism: the work of B.F. Skinner

• B.F. Skinner revived behaviorism with his belief that behaviors that are reinforced are likely to be repeated, and behaviors that are not reinforced or are punished are not likely to be repeated.

• In the book Beyond Freedom and Dignity he proposed that all behavior is governed by external stimuli => free will does not exist.

Finally, the Humanists

• Revolting against both psychoanalysis and behaviorism, the HUMANIST school emphasizes that each human is unique and has the potential for personal growth.

• Remember Abraham Maslow and the hierarchy of needs from Health class?

• Humanism is the most optimistic in tone and looks to empower individuals to help themselves reach their potential.