History of Psychology

1. History of Psychology

2. What is the definition of psychology? • It is derived from two Greek roots meaning “mind” and “study”. Our definition states psychology is the scientific discipline that studies behavior and mental processes.

3. Greek Philosophers • Socrates /Plato -“know thyself” -emphasized self-examination and personal reflection • Aristotle -knowledge can be acquired by the senses and careful observation -influenced the development of modern science

4. Other Systems • At the same time • 1. Africa • 2. Middle East • 3. Far East • Confucius • People have inborn capacity to do good • Environmental influences play a key role in behavior • Morality is important

5. Emergence of Science • Psychology emerged as a scientific discipline in the nineteenth century -German Theodor Fechner studied psychophysics—wrote a book in 1860 -German Hermann Von Helm—developed theory on how people perceive color--1860

6. Founding of Psychology: • Wilhelm Wundt receives credit because he established the first scientific laboratory dedicated to the study of psychology. -established in 1879 in Leipzig, Germany

7. Historical Approaches

8. Structuralism-understanding the mind by breaking it down into its basic elements • Wundt -interested in studying mental experiences -used a method called introspection or self-examination • Titchener -brought Wundt’s teachings to US

9. Functionalism: focuses on how behavior and mental processes help adapt to the environment William James (1842-1910) • Recognized as the father of American psychology • Believed that mental experience is best understood in terms of the functions or purposes it serves • “why” we do “what” we do

10. Heredity vs. Environment • Sir Francis Galton Looked at the issue of how heredity (nature) determines behavior

11. Gestalt Psychology • Wertheimer • Kohler • Koffka Viewed behavior in relation to the “whole”—how sensations are assembled into perceptual experiences

12. Contemporary Approaches

13. Psychoanalytic—unconscious motives determine behavior, feelings, thoughts • Sigmund Freud -Used free association -Interested in the unconscious mind -Dream analysis Case study: analysis of thoughts, emotions, feelings, beliefs, behavior

14. Behaviorism: psychology should limit itself to the study of overt, observable behavior John Watson—early 1900’s • Only what can be observed, measured, and recorded should be studied • Rejected introspection • Eliminated mentalistic concepts like mind, consciousness, thinking, and feeling.

15. Behaviorism: psychology should limit itself to the study of overt, observable behavior B.F. Skinner (1904-1990) • 1920’s it was the main school of psychology • Behavior can be shaped by rewards and punishments

16. Behaviorism: psychology should limit itself to the study of overt, observable behavior Pavlov • Experimented with dogs • Conditioned responses

17. Humanistic Psychology-each person has freedom in directing future and personal growth • Maslow • Rogers Emphasizes uniqueness of the individual with the capacity for personal growth and a satisfying life

18. Cognitive-how info is processed, stored, retrieved and how it influences behavior • Piaget • Ellis • Beck Perception, memory, expectation influences behavior

19. Biological Psychology (Psychobiology) • Study physical and chemical changes in the body • Use drug therapy • ECT • Scans

20. Sociocultural • Study how the cultural and ethnic similarities and differences of people influence behavior • Interested in gender, socioeconomic status Doob—the cultural implications of a sneeze