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

Psychology How is it actually defined? The scientific study of mental processes (feelings) and behaviors. Using theories (frameworks) to conduct scientific study. Do our feelings always match our behaviors?

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.

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’s 3 Big Debates Nature Versus Nurture Stability Versus Change Rationality Versus Irrationality

Modern Psychology The science of psychology has gone through about 5 different waves since it started. Waves are different ways of thinking over time.

Wave One: Introspection (Kickin’ it old school) Started with Wilhelm Wundt’s (“Father of modern psychology”) first psychological laboratory in 1879 and his concept of introspection (looking into one’s own self and describing what is there). Structuralism. Then William James (American) wrote The Principles of Psychology in 1890, a landmark textbook for the field of psychology. Functionalism.

Wave Two: Gestalt Psychology Led by Max Wertheimer (Germany), these guys focused not on how we feel, but on how we perceive the world. The “whole” of an experience can be more than the sum of its parts. This may seem like one picture, but it can be perceived as 2 different faces. Can you find them?

Wave Three: Psychoanalytic 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, 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 was known as psychoanalysis or “the talking cure”.

Wave Four: Behaviorism During this time period (early to mid 1900s), people started to ignore how you feel inside. All that mattered was how you acted. If they could change your behavior, who cares how you feel. John Watson conditioned “Little Albert” to fear rats. B.F. Skinner (the most famous behaviorist) trained animals in his “Skinner box” through rewards.

Wave Five: Eclectic We are now in wave five….which is about variety. Psychologists combine ideas from other theories depending on the situation and the client.

3 Main Levels of Analysis When we combine the 3 levels of analysis it is called a Biopsychosocial Approach.

Present day psychology is made up of about 8 different perspectives. In other words, psychologists today, pick and choose from about 8 schools of thought to help you with your problems. Thus we have: THE 8 SCHOOLS OF PSYCHOLOGY

Psychodynamic perspective If a man has intimacy issues and cannot form relationships with others. What do you think someone from this school may think? Focuses on the unconscious mind. 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. Perhaps they may delve into the man’s unconscious and discover that he was bullied when he was 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 get back on the horse and try again. Some learned to give up and live a lonely life of solitude.

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 changing the behavior. 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 what Abraham Maslow called “self-actualized”. Most famous of the humanist psychologists was Carl Rogers.

Neuroscience perspective All of your feelings and behaviors have an organic root. 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?

Basic vs. Applied Research Research psychologists study the origin, cause or results of behavior. They conduct studies. Applied psychologists make direct use of the findings to tackle practical problems. (ie. Clinical psychologists and psychiatrists) The findings of a study on Viagra might be used to help an older couple improve their marriage. Research on the effects of drugs has a clear purpose.

Careers in Psychology The majority of people with psychology degrees work in educational or clinical settings.

Careers in Psychology