Introduction to Psychology Weiten Text

Chapter 1 Evolution of Psychology 1. Early History (hx) 2. Modern Hx 3. Current Psy 4. Seven Themes

Psychology Basics Very much an applied subject > how to use it in real life – what about problems we know about ? Is there any advantage to learning psy ?

Early History Psychology Psyche = soul logy = Person minus body = soul 1700s – study

Early Hx Religion > philosophy > physiology (study of organ systems) A few ways of thinking about the mind: A. mind and body together B. how we know ourselves (sensations, feelings, ideas, identity) C. interacting with outside world, others D. knowing what is real

Early Hx Philosophers & physiologists worked on these questions Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920) Physiologist

Early Hx Wundt - 1879: 1st psychological laboratory @ University of Leipzig - 1881: 1st - helped - influence - Wundt wanted psy to be the study of consciousness ~ mind

Early Hx Wundt - studied what could be measured – memory, attention, reaction-time, sensation US followed this – many labs opened at top universities

Early Hx Structuralism or Functionalism Disagreements Structuralism = study consciousness and its aspects – treat it like an organ, with parts - followed Edward Titchener - studied senses - method was introspection = thinking of one’s own experience

Early Hx Structuralism or Functionalism Functionalism = consider functions, how consciousness works, the purpose of it - followed William James (1842-1910) - James’s Principles of Psychology (1890) - considered Darwin – theory of natural selection (survival of the fittest; keep what works)

Early Hx Functionalism - consciousness helps humans -

Early Hx Functionalists dominated psychology > way it was taught – led to behaviorism & applied psy Structuralists made sure that lab research would be a key factor – later statistics

Modern Hx Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) Influence and controversy Neurologist Treated patients

Modern Hx Freud Focus on unconscious (Unc) Learned from pts who had these deep, hidden issues Learned from thinking about himself Unc not part of awareness, but still guides individual

Modern Hx Freud Psychoanalytic theory – Unc guides personality, behavior, problems of life > inner conflict > slips of the tongue Controversy Do we guide ourselves ? How much control do we have ?

Modern Hx Freud Sexuality powerful influence

Modern Hx Freud 1909: G. Stanley Hall arranged Freud’s visit to Clark University 1920s – major movement – psychoanalysts clashed with others Psychologists stressed science – what could be proved ?

Modern Hx Freud Psychoanalysis

Modern Hx Watson & Behaviorism John B. Watson (1878-1958) Behaviorism – 1920s Psy is based on studying Unc Psy = observeable behavior Scientific method – Verify =

Modern Hx Behaviorists Fought w Accepted nurture Environment = family, ed system, community, workplace, etc Learned from Pavlov

Modern Hx Behaviorists Used stimulus-response (S-R) in studies S-R important concept Because of S-R: 1. less interest in human subjects 2. animal research – apply to humans, easier to control

Modern Hx Skinner & Behaviorism B. F. Skinner (1904-1990) Believed Said Focus on S-R > learn from that No need Animals/people seek positive outcomes > do that behavior again

Modern Hx Skinner & Behaviorism Not likely to repeat behaviors that lead Put rats & pigeons His ideas in schools, factories, mental facilities Beyond Freedom and Dignity (1971) – controversial – all beh predictable, incl human – no free will – live for rewards

Modern Hx Skinner Box – for babies Humanism “touchy-feely” 1950s-60s: humanists disagreed w both psychoanalysts & behaviorists Said neither understood human complexity Focus on behavior, values, free will

Modern Hx Humanism People can be free, grow, & be themselves, are rational ? Humans have Carl Rogers (1902-1987) – Client-Centered Therapy > important clinically but hard to research

Modern Schools 1. Behaviorism – observable acts 2. Psychoanalysis – unconscious activity 3. Humanistic – people rational, grow 4. Cognitive – focus on the way people think > explain beh 5. Biological – beh comes from brain processes, all electrochemical 6. Evolutionary – beh based on adaptation

Modern Psy Psychology as a profession – providing service Applied Psychology – directed at solving issues – all Ph.D. Clinical, counseling, school - therapy

Modern Psy Traditional psy – Diversity, multiculturalism > ? Today must be multicultural because 1. globalization – world is linked 2. US multiracial, multiethnic & diverse

Seven Unifying Themes 1. Psychology is scientific (empirical) 2. Psych has many theories 3. Psy develops according to the times 4. Behavior has many causes 5. Behavior is based on culture 6. Behavior is based on heredity & environment 7. We are subjective (it is personal)