Comes from the Greek “psych” = the mind “ology” = the study of

Psychology How is it actually defined? The scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Can you think of an example of a behavior? Of a mental process? Do our mental processes always match our behaviors? But I will still act tough. (but I will be crying on the inside, so be gentle). If you call me dumb, I may feel sad inside.

Basic Research vs. Applied Research Basic research psychologists study the origin, cause or results of behavior. They conduct studies. Applied research psychologists make direct use of the findings of the research psychologists. The findings of a study on vitamin C might be used to help an older couple improve their marriage. Research on the effects of drugs has a clear purpose.

History of Psychology The interest in behavior dates way back. There is evidence of trephination (cutting holes into a skull to let evil spirits out) dating back to the stone age. It was like a bad SAW movie!!!!

History of Psychology Although the modern science of psychology started in the late 1800’s, the concept has been around a lot longer. The Greeks thought personality could be changed by “bloodletting” using leeches or a knife to let evil spirits out.

History of Psychology Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution argued that animals and humans had evolved and changed. He showed us that studying animals might lead to a better understanding of humans.

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

Wave One: Introspection & Structuralism (Kickin’ it old school) Started with Wilhelm Wundt’s (“Father of modern psychology”) first psychological laboratory in Germany in 1879 and his concept of introspection (looking into one’s own self and describing what is there). Then Edward B. Titchener introduced structuralism the first major school of thought in psychology. He tried to understand the basic structural elements of consciousness. These guys were considered hot, back in the day!!!!

Wave Two: Functionalism (Still kickin’ it old school) Then, William James (American) wrote The Principles of Psychology in 1890, a landmark textbook for the field of psychology. James started functionalism. Rather than focusing on the elements of consciousness, functionalism focused on the purpose of consciousness (or the ways it helps us adapt to the environment). Nurture is more important than Nature!!!

Wave Three: Gestalt Psychology Led by Max Wertheimer (Germany), these guys focused on how we perceive the world. The “whole” of an experience can be more than the sum of its parts. Think for a moment of all the reasons that you love your mom. If you add all those reasons up, do they equal your love for your mom? Hopefully not!!! This may seem like one picture, but it can be perceived as 2 different faces. Can you find them?

Wave Four: Psychoanalysis Sigmund Freud (in the early 1900’s) became the most famous psychologist of the 20th century. He believed that behavior is influenced by sexual and aggressive desires as well as childhood experiences and conflicts that are hidden in the unconscious. We protect ourselves from our real feelings by using defense mechanisms. His form of therapy psychoanalysis was known as “the talking cure”.

Wave Five: Behaviorism During this time period (early to mid 1900s), people started to ignore how you feel inside. All that mattered was how you behaved or acted (something observable). Russian Ivan Pavlov started the movement. John Watson conditioned “Little Albert” to fear rats. B.F. Skinner (the most famous behaviorist) trained animals in his “Skinner box” through rewards (operant conditioning).

Wave Six: Humanism In the 1960’s humanistic psychologists focused on conscious experience, the individual’s freedom to choose and personal growth. They were led by Abraham Maslow and his concept of self-actualization (full potential). And by Carl Rogers who stressed the importance of acceptance, genuineness and empathy to foster human growth.

Wave Seven: Child Development Jean Piaget (Switzerland) pioneered the movement in child development. His focus was on how children think (cognitive development). And how their thinking differs from adult thinking.

Wave Eight: Eclectic Approach We are now in wave eight… which is about variety. Psychologists combine ideas from multiple theories depending on the situation and the client. Just like Ben 10 choosing the right alien to fight the bad guy depending the situation.

Groundbreakers in Psychology G. Stanley Hall was the first American to receive a Ph.D. in Psychology. He also was the first president of the APA. Mary Whiton Calkins was the first female president of the APA. Francis Cecil Sumner was the first African-American to receive a Ph.D. in Psychology.

Groundbreakers in Psychology Kenneth Clark and Mamie Phipps Clark were educational psychologists who helped desegregate schools in the Brown vs. Board of Education case (1954). Today, 2/3rds of all psychology graduate students are women.

Present day psychology is made up of about 9 different perspectives or approaches. In other words, psychologists today, pick and choose from about 9 schools of thought to help you with your problems. Thus we have: THE 9 SCHOOLS OF PSYCHOLOGY…

Psychodynamic Perspective Focuses on the unconscious mind (unconscious drives and conflicts). We repress many of our true feelings and are not aware of them. In order to get better, we must bring forward the true feelings we have in our unconscious. If a man has intimacy issues and cannot form relationships with others. What do you think someone from this school may think? Perhaps they may delve into the man’s unconscious and discover that he was bullied when he were younger. The bullying may have caused fear in getting close to others.

Cognitive Perspective Focuses on mental processes (thoughts). How do we see the world? How did we learn to act to sad or happy events? Cognitive Therapists attempt to change the way you think. She rejects you…don’t even get digits. You meet a girl… Hopes are high!!! How do you react to the rejection? Some learned to give up and live a lonely life of solitude. Some learned get back on the horse And try again.

Behavioral Perspective Focuses on observable behaviors, NOT the unconscious, thoughts or feelings. Our behavior is a product of learning, rewards and consequences. Pretend that you fail psychology class. You become depressed. In turn, you begin to binge and gain weight. What do you think a behaviorist may do? They would probably ignore the fact that you are depressed and just focus on your overeating. Maybe make you run a mile every time you eat over 2000 calories.

Social-Cultural Perspective Focus on how your culture effects your behavior. Even in the same high school, behaviors can change in accordance to the various subcultures.

Humanist Perspective Peaked in the late 1960’s and 70’s….so it focused on positive growth and free will. We have to strive to be the best we can be or “self-actualized”.

Biological Perspective All of your feelings and behaviors have an organic root. In other words, they come from your brain, body chemistry, neurotransmitters, etc… Let us imagine for a second that your dog died (sad but it will happen). You become depressed. You stop eating and sleeping. What would a psychologist from this school say is going on and how might they help you?

Behavior Genetics Perspective Focuses on how our genes AND our environment influence our individual differences. Might study how heredity and experience influence our individual differences in temperament.

Evolutionary Perspective Focuses on Darwinism. We behave the way we do because we inherited those behaviors. Thus, those behaviors must have helped ensure our ancestors survival. How could this behavior ensured Homer’s ancestors survival?

Positive Psychology Focuses on optimum human functioning. Started by Martin Seligman, it evolved out of humanistic psychology.