Prologue History and Approaches of Psychology Crash Course

Prologue: History and Approaches of Psychology

Crash Course Intro (10. 54 mins) n http: //www. youtube. com/watch ? v=vo 4 p. MVb 0 R 6 M

Let’s Begin n Do not expect to answer the ultimate questions of life……. n The study of psychology will help you understand why people feel, think, and act the way they do.

Lesson 1: Roots of Psychology n n What is psychology? Turn to someone next to you. Talk about some words that you think of when you think of the word psychology. What words did you come up with? Why did you pick those words?

History of Psychology: n n People have been studying human behavior for thousands of years. (Examples: Romans, Egyptians, Indians) This was good, but was not done in an organized manner. Psychology as a science has a very short history. Some scientists still call psychology a “soft” science.

Roots of Psychology: n n n Psychology: The scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Let’s break down the definition Behavior – Anything that you do that can be observed. Mental Processes – Internal experiences such as: thoughts, feelings, sensations, and perceptions. Systematic Study: Systematic collection and examination of data (empirical evidence) to support or disprove hypotheses (predictions) rather than depending on common sense.

Key Players in the History of Psychology: n n Roots of psychology can be traced back 2000 years ago to the early philosophers, biologists, and physiologists of ancient Greece. Hippocrates – Greek Physiologist that thought the mind or soul resided in the brain. He believed that it was not composed of a physical substance. This is called mind-bodydualism – seeing mind and body as two different things that interact.

Two historical roots of psychology are the disciplines of: 1. 2. 3. 4. Philosophy and chemistry Physiology and chemistry Philosophy and physiology Philosophy and physics

Today, psychology is defined as the: 1. 2. 3. 4. Study of mental phenomenon Study of conscious and unconscious activity Study of Behavior Science of behavior and mental processes

Key Players in the History of Psychology: n n Q: What debate originated with these two different philosophies? Plato (350 B. C. ) – Greek philosopher that believed that who we are and what we know are innate (inborn). Aristotle – Plato’s student believed that who we are and what we know are acquired from experience. (created)

Nature vs. Nurture Controversy: n n n The debate about the extent to which our behavior is inborn or learned through experience is called the nature vs. nurture controversy. Nature: Certain elementary ideas are innate to the human mind; not gained through experience Men are born, not made

Nature vs. Nurture (cont. ) n n Where do the Spartans fall into this nature vs. nurture controversy? n Nurture: Anything that we know, we have learned through experience. Our mind is like a blank slate (tabula rasa; Locke) that the environment writes upon Men are made, not born

Which of the following exemplifies the issue of the relative importance of nature and nurture on our behavior? 1. 2. 3. 4. The issue of the relative influence of biology and experience on behavior The issue of the relative influence of rewards and punishments on behavior The debate as to the relative importance of heredity and instinct in determining behavior The debate as to whether mental processes are a legitimate form of scientific study

Key Players in the History of Psychology: n n n n About 2000 yrs. later John Locke and Rene Descartes had a similar argument. John Locke – Believed that knowledge comes from observation, and what we know comes from experience. He coined the term “tabula rasa” – blank slate. “The mind is like a blank slate in which the environment writes upon. ” Rene Descartes – Believed that we know is innate. Focused much of his research on how the nervous system responds “I think therefore I am. ”

The 17 th century philosopher who believed that the mind is blank at birth and that most knowledge comes through sensory experience is: 1. 2. 3. 4. Plato Aristotle Descartes Locke

The Greek philosopher who believed that intelligence was inherited was: 1. 2. 3. 4. Aristotle Plato Descartes Simonides

Psychology Becomes a Science n Despite Descartes arguments and scientific breakthroughs at the time, psychology didn’t become a recognized science until the mid 1800 s.

Waves of Psychology The science of psychology has gone through several waves since it started. Waves are different ways of thinking over time.

Lesson 2: Approaches and Schools of Psychology: n n n By the late 1800’s, psychology was beginning to emerge as a separate scientific discipline. Biologist Charles Darwin came up with theory of natural selection. Psychology branched into two schools of psychology (structuralism and functionalism) and from there several approaches to psychology.

Structuralism: Wilhelm Wundt n n n Wilhelm Wundt – Credited as the founder of scientific psychology because in 1879 (psych’s official bday) he set up a research laboratory in Germany. The lab was dedicated to the scientific study of conscious experiences and sensations. Introspection – the process of looking inward to identify how one feels, thinks, or acts. he replicated his studies in different conditions with similar results. Wundt helped found the School of Structuralism which aimed to focus on the structure of the mind and identify the basic elements of consciousness.

Stanley Hall n Studied under Wundt n 1884 – established 1 st research lab @ John Hopkins n 1883 – created first American journal n 1892 – 1 st APA president n APA today World’s largest org. devoted to advancement of psychology n 155, 000 members n

Book Check Question Q: Who is considered to 1 st to introduce structuralism? (hint) he was a student of Wundt) n A: Edward Bradford Titchener n Q: Who was a good friend of Titchener? (hint) He is probably best know for authoring the Chronicles of Narnia. ) n A: C. S. Lewis n

Titchener C. S. Lewis

Functionalism: William James n n n William James was a psychologist that felt that Wundt was asking the wrong questions. James was more interested in the function or purpose of behavioral acts. School of Functionalism – Researchers that focused on how we adapt to our environments. (stream of consciousness) Main Goal: Explain human behavior Also wrote first psychology textbook

Functionalism The parts of the functionalist view of psychology

Women in Field Mary Whiton Calkins (1863 -1930) n n Studied under James Was refused the Ph. D. she earned from Harvard because she was female Invented widely used tech for studying memory 1 st APA woman president (1905) Margaret Floy Washburn (1871 -1939) n 1 st Ph. D in Psych for Women n Wrote “The Animal Mind” (1908) n n Served as beginning of behaviorism 2 nd woman APA president

Women in Field Leta Stretter Hollingworth (1886 -1939) ◦ Pioneered work in Adolescent development Mental Retardation Gifted children Tried 1 st to use word “gifted” to describe children who scored exceptionally well on intelligence tests to invalidate certain theories of her time Women are inferior to men Currently, women account for 2/3 or more of new psych Ph. D. s earned today Eventually theory of functionalism led to development of behaviorism & applied science

Book Check Question Q: William James was the 1 st to admit a woman to his course of study at Harvard. What was the name of the woman he allowed to study psychology? n A: Mary Whiton Calkins n Q: What did Harvard deny Ms. Calkins? n A: Her Ph. D. ; later awarded it posthumously n

This German philosopher and psychologist was the first to set up a laboratory to gather empirical data related to psychology. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Wundt, 1879 James, 1890 Freud, 1900 Watson, 1913 Wertheimer, 1950

Psychology Today n Psychology today arises from several perspectives: n Biological n Evolutionary n Psychoanalysis n Behavioral n Gestalt n Humanistic n Developmental n Cognitive n Sociocultural n Trait views n Eclectic

Approaches to Psychology: Biological n n Biological Approach – Examines how complex chemical and biological processes within the nervous and endocrine systems are related to the behavior of organisms. Much research is being done today using this approach – Brain based research.

Approaches to Psychology: Evolutionary n n n Evolutionary Approach – Attempts to explain behavior patterns as adaptations naturally selected to increase reproductive success. This approach uses Darwin’s theory of natural selection as a basis. Darwin wrote Origin of Species.

Approaches to Psychology: Psychoanalytic / Psychodynamic n n n Psychoanalytic Approach – Focuses on unconscious internal conflicts to explain mental disorders, personality, and motivation. Sigmund Freud developed this approach and focused on unconscious desires (Freudian slips, life and death instincts, libido, early life experiences. Psychodynamic Approach – Those that varied Freud’s ideas but kept with the roots of psychoanalysis.

Book Check Question n Q: What is a Freudian Slip? n A: Allowing you subconscious mind to speak your true feelings. n Q: Can you give an example of a Freudian slip?

Approaches to Psychology: Behavioral n n n Behavioral Approach – Focuses on measuring and recording observable behavior. (behavior results from learning) Pavlov and his dogs, Watson and Baby Albert, Skinner and his rats. (rewards, punishments, and associations) All these men believed that psychology should be the science of behavior.

In psychology, “behavior” is best defined as: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Anything a person says, does, or feels Any action we can observe and record Any action, whether observable or not Anything we can infer from a person’s actions Sensations and Perceptions

This approach to psychology focuses on rewards, punishments, and associations. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Behavioral Socio-Cultural Neuroscience Biological Cognitive

This researcher used classical conditioning to make dogs salivate by the sound of a bell. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Skinner Pavlov Watson Freud Wundt

Approaches to Psychology: Gestalt n n n Max Wertheimer – founded Gestalt Psychology The whole is more than the sum of it’s parts Example: A beautiful painting A painting is more than just colors and line – its an experience So, each person has a completely different experience when viewing the world – must be sensitive to this during therapy.

This may seem like one picture, but it can be perceived as 3 different faces. Can you find them?

More Images

Approaches to Psychology: Humanistic n n n Humanistic Approach – Emphases the importance of people’s feelings and view human nature as naturally positive and growth seeking. Abraham Maslow (Hierarchy of Needs) and Carl Rogers (Unconditional Positive Regard) led the charge. This approach came out the 60’s and 70’s.

According to Maslow, these needs must be met before all others. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Safety Selfactualizing Love and Belongingness Physiological Esteem Needs

This Humanistic psychologist encouraged his clients to always focus on the positive. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Watson Rogers Skinner Jung Rogers

Approaches to Psychology: Developmental n n The developmental view emphasizes changes that occur across our lifespan. This is the question of nature vs. nurture. What has a bigger impact on us, heredity or environment?

Approaches to Psychology: Cognitive n n n Cognitive Approach – Emphasizes the importance of receiving, storing, and processing information. It also focuses on thinking, reasoning, and using language to understand human behavior. Cognition – thinking and memory.

The way the mind processes, stores, and retrieves information is the primary concern of this approach to psychology: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Evolutionary Biological Socio-Cultural Behavioral Cognitive

Approaches to Psychology: Socio-cultural n n n As time progressed more people were traveling and visiting other cultures. Psychologists soon recognized the difference in cultural gestures, body language, and spoken language. Socio-cultural Approach – Examines the cultural differences in an attempt to understand, predict, and control behavior.

A psychologist who explores how Asian and North American definitions of attractiveness differ is working within this psychological perspective: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Behavioral Evolutionary Cognitive Socio-Cultural Eclectic

Approaches to Psychology: Trait View n A psychological perspective that views behavior and personality as the products of enduring psychological characteristics. n Accordingly, the view says that behavior results from each person’s unique combination of traits. n Ex. Introversion or extroversion vs. mood swings

Approaches to Psychology: Eclectic The most widely used psychological approach today is eclectic n Eclectic – No one perspective can best explain all human behavior n So…Eclectic psychologists use a combination of all the approaches n

Can you name all approaches to psychology? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Biological Evolutionary Psychoanalytic Behavioral Humanistic 6. Developmental 7. Cognitive 8. Socio-Cultural 9. Trait 10. Eclectic

Lesson Three: Objectives By the end of this lesson, I will be able to: n 1. Distinguish the different domains of psychology: biological, clinical, cognitive, counseling, developmental, educational, experimental, human factors, industrial–organizational, personality, psychometric, and social. n

Lesson 3: Subfields of Psychology: n n n Psychology is a broad field There are many jobs available with a psychology degree Historically though, this wasn’t always the case. Psychology saw a huge boom after World War II. Many opportunities arose in clinical and counseling psychology. In addition, school psychology started to become more popular as researchers data indicated that children perform better when they are taught using their respective learning style(s).

Subfields of Psychology: n n Clinical Psychologists – Evaluate and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. (OCD, Schizophrenia) Counseling Psychologists – Help people adapt to change or make changes in their lifestyle. (Analyze This) Developmental Psychologists – Study psychological development throughout a lifespan. (Piaget) Engineering Psychologists – Do research on how people function best with machines. (assembly lines)

Subfields of Psychology: n n Educational Psychologists – Focus on how effective teaching and learning take place. (consultants) Forensic Psychologists – Apply psychological principles to legal issues. (crimes) Health Psychologists – Concentrate on biological, psychological, and social factors associated with health and illness. (hospitals) Industrial/Organizational Psychologists – Aim to improve productivity and the quality of work life by applying psychological principles and methods to the workplace. (Panera)

Subfields of Psychology: n n Neuro-psychologists – Explore the relationship between brain/nervous systems and behavior. (Laboratory research) Psychometricians – Focus on methods for acquiring and analyzing psychological data. (research based) Rehabilitation Psychologists – Help clients with mental retardation, developmental disabilities, and disabilities resulting from neurological injury. (stroke) School Psychologists – Assess and counsel students, consult with educators and parents, and perform behavioral intervention when necessary.

Subfields of Psychology: n n Social Psychologists – Focus on how a person’s mental life and behavior are shaped by interactions with other people. (can be workplace related) Sports Psychologists – Help athletes refine their focus on competition goals, increase motivation, and deal with anxiety and fear of failure. (Professional Athletes)

Which subfield is most directly concerned with studying how marketing effects human behavior? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Clinical Personality Engineering psychology Industrial. Organizational Counseling

Which of the following individuals is also a physician? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Clinical psychologist Psychologist Experimental psychologist Psychiatrist Developmental Psychologist

A person working within this subfield of psychology might work closely with their local police department to explain the behavior of a suspect. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Health Psychologist Criminal Psychologist Clinical Psychologist Forensic Psychologist Counseling Psychologist