Unit 1: Science of Psychology

1. WHS AP Psychology Unit 1: Science of Psychology Essential Task 1-3: Trace the growth of psychology with specific attention to structuralism and functionalism in the early years.

2. Growth of Psych Approachesto Psych The Science of Psychology Ethics ResearchMethods Statistics Sampling Descriptive Correlation Experiment Descriptive Inferential Naturalistic Observation Case Study Central Tendency Variance Survey We are here Careers

3. Essential Task 1-3: Outline • Early Psychology • First Lab – Wundt • Structuralism – Titchner • Functionalism – William James • Psychoanalytic – Freud • Behaviorism – Pavlov, Watson and Skinner • Cognitive Revolution • Contemporary Trends in Psychology

4. Early Psychology - Wundt • Wilhelm Wundtopened the first psychology laboratory at the University of Liepzig in 1879. • By insisting on measurement and experimentation he moves psychology from a philosophy to a science This is my lab! Philosophy  science Outline

5. Structuralism • Bradford Titchner • School of psychology that stressed the basic units of experience (physical sensation, feelings, and memories) and the combinations in which they occur. • Study these ‘atoms of experience’ to get the structure of the mind

6. Break this down to its atoms of experience How do you know what this is?How is your mind structured in order to perceive it?

7. So what is this?

8. And this? How’s structuralism working for you now?

9. Functionalism • William James • Rejects Structuralism • Influenced by Darwin • Functionalism –theory of mental life and behavior that is concerned with how an organism uses its perceptual abilities to function in its environment. • Functionalists wanted to the whole system of mental processes rather than focusing on the tiny elements elements of consciousness • Functionalism also emphasized individual differences, which had a profound impact on education.

10. Structuralism vs. Functionalism How would each study this situation?

11. Psychodynamic Psychology • Sigmund Freud • Behavior results from forces at work within the individual, often at an unconscious level. Often formed during childhood. • Late 1800s • Since the person can’t access their own unconscious, it is hard to prove or disprove this theory scientifically.

12. Psychodynamic = Unconscious

13. Behaviorism • Studied only observable behaviors • Studied how organisms learn behaviors. • Classical Conditioning – learning that results from things happening to you. • Ivan Pavlov – Dogs • John B. Watson – Baby Albert • Operant Conditioning – learning that results from getting rewards or punishments. • B.F. Skinner – Skinner Box

14. Behaviorism

15. The Cognitive Revolution • The precursors to cognitive psychology: • Gestalt psychology • Study of how we perceive objects as whole patterns • Therapy that wishes to treat the whole person • Humanistic psychology • Emphasizes realization of full potential • Recognizes importance of love, self esteem, belonging, and self-actualization

16. The Cognitive Revolution • Study of mental processes • Thinking • Learning • Feeling • Remembering • Decision making

17. New Directions in Psychology • Evolutionary psychology • Studies the adaptive value of behaviors and mental processes • Positive psychology • Study of the subjective feelings of happiness and well-being • Focus is on positive attitude