A History of Psychology

Roots from Ancient Greece Socrates (470 BC)- advised people to “Know thyself” which developed into introspection (looking within). Aristotle (384 BC)-Laws of associationism (a learned connection between two ideas or events). Hippocrates (460 BC) suggested madness and confusion are caused by abnormalities in the brain.

The Middle Ages Europeans believed agitation and confusion were signs of the devil in people. Water float test- based on the idea that pure medals sink People considered possessed by the devil were thrown into deep water The people who floated were executed for associating with the devil The people who sank to the bottom were judged to be pure- unfortunately most drowned.

The Birth of Modern Science More advances in science Psychologist argued that ideas about human behavior should be supported by evidence. 1879-beginning of psychology as a modern laboratory science

Wilhelm Wundt and Structuralism Structuralism- the school of psychology that maintains that conscious experience breaks down into objective sensations and subjective feelings. Objective sensations: sight and taste that were assumed to reflect the outside world. Subjective feelings: emotional responses and mental images.

William James and Functionalism Functionalism- school of psychology that emphasizes the purposes of behavior and mental processes. Concerned with how mental processes help organisms adapt to their environment. Adaptive (successful) actions are repeated and become habits. Less-Adaptive actions will stop.

John B. Watson and Behaviorism Behaviorism- school of psychology that defines psychology as the scientific study of observable behavior.

B.F. Skinner and Reinforcement Reinforcement- a stimulus or event that follows a response and increases the frequency of that response

The Gestalt School Gestalt- the school of psychology that emphasizes the tendency to organize perceptions into meaningful wholes.

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True/False Psychologist have very little interest in studying people’s emotions. A book on Psychology, with content similar to that found in this textbook, was written by Aristotle more that 2,000 years ago. In the Middle Ages, some innocent people were allowed to drown as a way of proving that they were not possessed by demons. Some psychologists view our strategies for solving problems operated by our very own personal computers- our brains. Sigmund Freud’s theories continue to influence psychology today.

Pop Quiz Define psychology List the 5 goals of psychology Name two fields of psychology Why is psychology different from other social sciences?