accurate and dependable shows us that human behavior is complex psychology is practical a way of thinking scientific supported by evidence accurate and dependable shows us that human behavior is complex leads to understanding and compassion

psychology: the science that studies behavior and the physiological and cognitive processes that underlie it the profession that applies the accumulated knowledge of this science to practical problems

7 themes psychology is: empirical theoretically diverse evolves in a sociohistorical context

behavior is complex and determined by multiple causes behavior is shaped by cultural heritage heredity and environment jointly influence behavior people’s experience of the world is highly subjective

structuralism and functionalism psychoanalytic perspective behaviorism perspective the humanism perspective the biological perspective the evolutionary perspective the biopsychosocial perspective

Psychology’s Early Beginnings psychology’s “parents”: philosophy and physiology Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920) first formal lab, first scientific journals psychology as a science, modeled on physics/chemistry primary subject matter: consciousness consciousness: the awareness of immediate experience psychology: the scientific study of conscious awareness

Structuralism and Functionalism Edward Titchener, structuralism William James, functionalism structuralism: analyze consciousness into its basic elements, investigate how those elements are related fundamental components of consciousness: sensations, feelings, images method: introspection: the systematic self-observation of one’s own conscious experience Functionalism: what the mind and consciousness are Structuralism: how the mind and consciousness work

functionalism: investigate the function or purpose of consciousness what are the evolved functions of our thoughts and feelings: natural selection: heritable characteristics that provide a survival/reproductive advantage are more likely than other characteristics to be passed on (“selected” over time) to subsequent generations why was consciousness “selected”?

Freud on the Unconscious 1859 – 1939 the unconscious: thoughts, memories and desires that are well below the surface of conscious awareness but still exert great influence on behavior premise: psychological disturbances are caused personal conflicts existing at an unconscious/subconscious level repression as a defense mechanism psychoanalytic theory: explain personality, motivation and mental disorders by focusing on unconscious determinants of behavior

Behaviorism John Watson behaviorism: theoretical perspective based on the premise that “scientific” psychology should study only observable behavior radical change: abandonment of the study of consciousness justification: the scientific method requires verifiability, which requires objective observation behavior: any overt, observable response or activity by an organism

behavior and the nature vs. nurture controversy: people are made, not born downplayed the importance of heredity strong environmental slant/bias conditioning: how we learn stimulus/response bonds response/outcome bonds relate overt behaviors (responses) to observable events in the environment (stimuli)

B.F. Skinner and Behaviorism 1953 return to strict focus on observable behavior importance of environmental factors: organisms tend to repeat responses that lead to positive outcomes and they tend to avoid responses that lead to neutral or negative outcomes (Thorndike’s Law of Effect)

Skinner: learning principles can be applied to complex human behavior major implication: your behavior is not controlled by your conscious decisions people are controlled by their environment free will?

Humanism Carl Rogers (1902 – 1987) critique of psychoanalytic theory and behavioral theory dehumanizing humanism: theoretical orientation that emphasizes the unique qualities of humans, especially their freedom and their potential for personal growth optimistic view of human nature and the human experience

Rogers: human behavior is governed by “self-concept” congruence fundamental drive toward personal growth and realization of potential humanism: a different picture of human nature than that proposed by psychoanalytic and behaviorist perspectives person-centered therapy: innovative treatment of psychological problems and disorders

psychology’s modern history gradual maturation into a research-based science and a respected scientific discipline growth into a multi-faceted scientific and professional enterprise scientific and practical sides applied research: the branch of psychology concerned with everyday, practical problems clinical psychology: the branch of psychology concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of psychological problems and disorders

the cognitive perspective renewed interest in 19th century roots of psychology, emphasis on consciousness cognition: the mental processes involved in acquiring knowledge; thinking or conscious experience the cognitive perspective: psychology must include the study of internal mental events to fully understand behavior Piaget, Chomsky, Simon putting the psyche back in psychology

the biological perspective: much of human behavior can be explained in terms of the bodily structures and biochemical processes that allow organisms to behave

natural selection: favors reproductive success evolutionary psychology: examines behavioral processes in terms of their adaptive value for members of a species over the course of many generations natural selection: favors reproductive success 1960s: breakthroughs in field of evolutionary biology increased research on mating preferences, jealousy, aggression, sexual behavior, language, decision making, personality, etc premise: many patterns of human behavior are also adaptations that have been shaped by natural selection

positive psychology: use theory and research to better understand the positive, adaptive, creative, and fulfilling aspects of human existence positive subjective experience/emotions positive individual traits positive institutions Martin Seligman

reality: has been a largely Western enterprise cultural diversity a goal of psychology: to identify general principles of behavior that would apply to all of humanity reality: has been a largely Western enterprise cost: cross-cultural, non-institutional research is difficult and expensive fear of cultural stereotyping

recent attention to cultural variables as determinants of behavior globalization concern for credibility sociopolitical movements: civil rights, women’s rights, LGBT rights move to incorporate cultural factors into theory and research can earlier findings be generalized to other/all cultures? how is culture transmitted? how does culture influence opinion? how do people deal with cultural change? how do groups deal with prejudice, discrimination, racism?

psychological research today: characterized by specialization (1) developmental (2) social (3) experimental (4) physiological (5) cognitive (6) personality (7) psychometrics (8) educational (9)health professional specialties: (1) clinical (2) counseling (3) school (4) industrial/organizational (5) clinical neuropsychology (6) forensic