The Story of Psychology History & Approaches

Dr. Crane (radio-shrink) Psychology With hopes of satisfying curiosity, many people listen to talk-radio counselors and psychics to learn about others and themselves. httw.nbc.com Dr. Crane (radio-shrink)

Psychology’s Roots Aristotle, a naturalist and philosopher, theorized about psychology’s concepts: Mind and body are not separate Knowledge grows from experience. Aristotle (384-322 B.C.) John Locke, British political philosopher suggested: Mind is a ‘tabula rasa’ or blank slate ~Experience writes on slate John Locke (1632-1704) “The soul is not separable from the body, and the same holds good of particular parts of the soul.” Aristotle, De Anima, 350 B.C.

Psychological Science is Born Wundt and psychology’s first graduate students studied the “atoms of the mind” (mental processes) by conducting experiments at Leipzig, Germany, in 1879. This work is considered the birth of psychology as we know it today. Wundt (1832-1920) Preview Question 1: When and how did psychological science begin?

From Speculation to Science: How Psychology Developed Prior to 1879 Physiology and philosophy scholars study questions about the mind Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920) University of Leipzig, Germany Campaigned to make psychology an independent discipline Established the first laboratory for the study of psychology in 1879 Psychology was born! Prior to 1879 psychology did not exist as an independent field of study Psychological questions arose on a secondary basis in the fields of Physiology and Philosophy Wilhelm Wundt campaigned to make psychology an independent discipline Brought the scientific methods of physiology to bear on philosophical questions Developed the first laboratory in psychology at the University of Leipzig in 1879

Wilhelm Wundt’s International Influence Leipzig, the place to study psychology Graduates of Wundt’s program set up new labs across Europe and North America G. Stanley Hall (1846-1924), Johns Hopkins University Established the first psychology laboratory in the U.S. in 1883 Between 1883 and 1893, 24 new laboratories in North America Many young scholars came to Leipzig to study under Wundt Wundt’s students, trained in the scientific study of the mind, dispersed across Germany and America The first research lab in the U.S. was established by G. Stanley Hall (1846-1924) (who studied under Wundt briefly) at John’s Hopkins University Between 1883 and 1893, 24 new psychological laboratories sprang up in the U.S. and Canada While psychology was born in Germany, its period of largest growth began in the United States

Figure 1.1 Early Research Laboratories in North America

Psychological Science is Born James (1842-1910) & Calkins Margaret Floy Washburn American philosopher William James wrote an important 1890 psychology textbook. Mary Calkins, James’s student, became the APA’s first female president.

Psychological Science is Born Freud (1856-1939) Sigmund Freud, an Austrian physician, and his followers emphasized the importance of the unconscious mind and its effects on human behavior.

Structuralism – Edward Titchener The Battle of the “Schools” in the U.S.: Structuralism vs. Functionalism Structuralism – Edward Titchener Analyze consciousness into basic elements Introspection (on 2013 AP Test!) – careful, systematic observations of one’s own conscious experience Functionalism – William James Investigate function of consciousness Led to investigation of mental testing, developmental patterns, and sex differences Two intellectual schools of thought regarding the science of psychology fought it out in the academic arena, with the fight led by Edward Titchener in the STRUCTURALISM corner and William James in the FUNCTIONALISM corner. The structuralists believed that psychology should be about analyzing consciousness into its basic elements, just as physicists were studying how matter was made up of basic particles…to do this, Titchener and his followers relied on introspection, a process by which a person makes careful, systematic self-observations of one’s own conscious experience. The functionalists thought this missed the point. James and his followers thought psychology should be about investigating the function or purpose of consciousness, rather than its structure.

Psychological Science is Born Psychology originated in many disciplines and countries. It was, until the 1920s, defined as the science of mental life.

Psychological Science Develops Behaviorists Skinner (1904-1990) Watson (1878-1958) Preview Question 2: How did psychology continue to develop from the 1920s through today? Watson and later Skinner emphasized the study of overt behavior as the subject matter of scientific psychology.

Psychological Science Develops Humanistic Psychology Maslow (1908-1970) http://facultyweb.cortland.edu Rogers (1902-1987) http://www.carlrogers.dk Maslow and Rogers emphasized current environmental influences on our growth potential and our need for love and acceptance.

The 1950’s: Opposition to Psychoanalytic Theory and Behaviorism Charges that both were de-humanizing Diverse opposition groups got together to form a loose alliance A new school of thought emerged - Humanism Led by Abraham Maslow (1908-1970) and Carl Rogers (1902-1987) Emphasis on the unique qualities of humans: freedom and personal growth While Behaviorism and Psychoanalytic theory dominated mainstream psychology, many people had a hard time believing that people are not masters of their own fate. The anti-Freud/Skinner crowd formed a loose alliance that eventually became a new school of thought…humanism…led by Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers. Humanism focused on the unique qualities of humans, especially free will and the potential for personal growth…a very optimistic view of human nature as opposed to the psychoanalysts or behaviorists.

Three 20th Century Conceptual Revolutions in Psychology PSYCHOANALYSIS Founded by Sigmund Freud HUMANISM Pioneers: Abraham Maslow BEHAVIORISM Pioneers: Carl Rogers John B. Watson (Founder) B. F. Skinner

Putting the Psyche Back in Psychology: The Return of Cognition Cognition = mental processes involved in acquiring knowledge 1950’s and 60’s – Piaget, Chomsky, and Simon Application of scientific methods to studying internal mental events Cognitive psychology: the new dominant perspective? Cognition involves thinking or conscious experience…the dominance of behaviorist thought significantly decreased with the advent of cognitive psychology. Theorists such as Jean Piaget – who studied the development of cognition, Noam Chomsky – who studied the psychological underpinnings of language, and Herbert Simon and colleagues – who studied problem solving, paved a new path in psychology by using scientific methods (way beyond introspection) for studying cognitive processes. Some researchers argue that cognitive psychology is now the dominant perspective in psychology.

Psychology’s Biggest Question: Which came first: Chicken or Egg? NO! The most crucial issue that we continue to try to answer is: WHAT AFFECTS BEHAVIOR AND DEVELOPMENT MORE…. NATURE OR NURTURE??? What’s NATURAL SELECTION???

Note how the judges & audience members react to the performer…. Before she performs…. During…. Susan Boyle After her performance…. What’s happened here? The Halo Effect: a cognitive bias in which our judgments of a person’s character can be influenced by our overall impression of him or her (Thorndike).

A watched pot never boils. Explain how you would prove the legitimacy of one of these ideas. Use empirical (realistic/practical) ideas as your means of proof! White men can’t jump. Blondes have more fun. A watched pot never boils. Jocks are dumb.

Psychology Today We define psychology today as the scientific study of behavior (what we do) and mental processes (inner thoughts and feelings).

Psychological Associations & Societies The American Psychological Association is the largest organization of psychology with 160,000 members world-wide, followed by the British Psychological Society with 34,000 members.

Psychology’s Three Main Levels of Analysis Preview Question 4: What are psychology’s levels of analysis and related perspectives?

Psychology’s Current Perspectives Focus Sample Questions Neuroscience How the body and brain enables emotions? How are messages transmitted in the body? How is brain chemistry linked with moods and motives? Evolutionary How the natural selection of traits the promotes the perpetuation of one’s genes? How does evolution influence behavior tendencies? Behavior genetics How much our genes and our environments influence our individual differences? To what extent are psychological traits such as intelligence, personality, sexual orientation, and vulnerability to depression attributable to our genes? To our environment?

Psychology’s Current Perspectives Focus Sample Questions Psychodynamic How behavior springs from unconscious drives and conflicts? How can someone’s personality traits and disorders be explained in terms of sexual and aggressive drives or as disguised effects of unfulfilled wishes and childhood traumas? Behavioral How we learn observable responses? How do we learn to fear particular objects or situations? What is the most effective way to alter our behavior, say to lose weight or quit smoking?

Psychology’s Current Perspectives Focus Sample Questions Cognitive How we encode, process, store and retrieve information? How do we use information in remembering? Reasoning? Problem solving? Social-cultural How behavior and thinking vary across situations and cultures? How are we — as Africans, Asians, Australians or North Americans – alike as members of human family? As products of different environmental contexts, how do we differ?

Table 1.1 Overview of Six Contemporary Theoretical Perspectives in Psychology

Psychology’s Subfields: Research Psychologist What she does Biological Explore the links between brain and mind. Developmental Study changing abilities from womb to tomb. Cognitive Study how we perceive, think, and solve problems. Personality Investigate our persistent traits. Social Explore how we view and affect one another. Preview Question 5: What are psychology’s main subfields?

Psychology’s Subfields: Research Data: APA 1997

Psychology’s Subfields: Applied Psychologist What she does Clinical Studies, assesses, and treats people with psychological disorders Counseling Helps people cope with academic, vocational, and marital challenges. Educational Studies and helps individuals in school and educational settings Industrial/ Organizational Studies and advises on behavior in the workplace.

Psychology’s Subfields: Applied Data: APA 1997

Figure 1.6 Membership in the American Psychological Association, 1900–2004

Clinical Psychology vs. Psychiatry A clinical psychologist (Ph.D.) studies, assesses, and treats troubled people with psychotherapy. Psychiatrists on the other hand are medical professionals (M.D.) who use treatments like drugs and psychotherapy to treat psychologically diseased patients.