History and Approaches Created by David Silverman History

History and Approaches Created by David Silverman

History Psychology is the study of human and animal behaviors. Psychology has been practiced on humans as far back as the stone ages. Archeologists have found human skulls with holes carved into them (to release evil spirits of course). This process was called Trephining. Psychology can also be traced through ancient history to the Greek philosophers Plato and Democritus who theorized about the relationship between thought and behavior. Anything you do, think, or feel can be associated with psychology. Psychology was not conducted scientifically until 1879. While Psychology is a relatively new science (formerly less than 150 years old), it has gone through a number of perspectives to describe human thought and behavior.

Introspection In 1879, Wilhelm Wundt set up the first psychological laboratory in Leipzig, Germany. Wundt trained students in Introspection, which is to freely record whatever comes to your mind in regards to simple questions or stimulus. Wundt hoped to learn the basic cognitive structure (how and why we think). He and his student, Edward Titchener, called this process Structuralism, which is the idea that the mind works by combining emotions and sensations. William James published the first psychological textbook called, “The Principles of Psychology” in 1890. He started theory of Functionalism, which focused on how our behaviors adapt to life experiences. Other famous early psychologists: Mary Whiton Calkins- Studied with James and became the president of the American Psychological Association (APA) Margaret Floy Washburn- First Woman to earn a Ph. D in psychology G. Stanley Hall- Student of William James, pioneer of child development, first president of the A. P. A.

Gestalt Psychology does not believe in dividing human thought and behavior into separate structures but rather to look at how all experiences influence a person. “The whole is greater than the sum of the parts” Max Wertheimer was a famous Gestalt psychologist.

Psychoanalysis Emphasizes the role of the unconscious mind. Sigmund Freud was the founder of psychoanalytic theory. Freud thought that if a traumatic feeling or event was too hard for our conscious mind to deal with, we would repress the memory into our unconscious mind. He thought the way to examine the unconscious mind was through dream analysis, word association, and other psychoanalytic therapy techniques. ID, EGO, and SUPEREGO Defense Mechanisms “Tip of the iceberg” While Freud’s name is almost synonymous with psychology, his pure technique is rarely practiced today. His theories are largely unscientific and unverifiable, and his emphasis on sexuality (especially in children) has also been criticized, along with his views on women. Neo or “new” Freudian thinkers practice the Psychodynamic theory which takes other perspectives into account.

Behaviorism Behavioral psychologists think that psychology should limit itself to studying observable behaviors, not theoretical concepts like the unconscious mind. Behaviorists think psychologists should look at causes of behaviors (stimulus) and responses (physical reactions). Ivan Pavlov- Conditioning experiments studying dogs and salivation John Watson- Little Albert experiment B. F. Skinner- Skinner box, reinforcement schedules

Humanist theorists, like Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers, stress the individuals choice and free will. They believe most of our choices are guided by physiological, emotional, or spiritual needs. Hierarchy of needs pyramid On the other hand, determinist theory says that behaviors are caused by past conditioning. Criticisms are that humanistic theories are not easily tested Many view this perspective as historical rather than a current trend.

Other perspectives Evolutionary (Darwinian) Biopsychology (Neuroscience) Evolutionary psychologists (sociobiologists) examine human thought and actions based on natural selection, or survival of the fittest. Biopsychologists explain human thought and behavior strictly based on biological processes. Human thought and reactions are caused by genes, hormones, and neurotransmitters in our brains. Cognitive psychologists explain human thought and behavior by how we interpret, process, and remember events. The way we view the world is vital to understanding why we behave and think the way we do. Jean Piaget (Developmental Psychologist) says the way we think develops in stages as we mature Social-Cultural Psychologists emphasize the role that culture plays in shaping a persons thoughts and behaviors.

Resources Mr. Duez- powerpoints and videos References This powerpoint presentation was adapted using information from the Barron’s AP Psychology 5 th edition prep book. Psychological approaches Evolution of Psychology Crash Course Psychology Weseley, Allyson, Robert Mc. Entarffer, and Robert Mc. Entarffer. AP® Psychology. Hauppauge, N. Y. : Barron's Educational Series, 2014. Print. Intro to Psychology Discovering Psychology Past, Present, and Promise Fineburg, A. , & Myers, D. (2010). Myers' Psychology for AP*: Teacher's edition (Teacher's ed. ). New York: Worth /BFW.