Module 1: The Story of Psychology Chapter 1 Module 1: The Story of Psychology

Psychology With hopes of satisfying curiosity, many people listen to talk-radio counselors and psychics to learn about others and themselves. http://www.photovault.com http://www.nbc.com Dr. Crane (radio-shrink) Psychic (Ball gazing)

What is Psychology? Psychology - scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Behavior - outward or overt actions and reactions. Mental processes - internal, covert activity of our minds. Psychology is a science Prevent possible biases from leading to faulty observations Precise and careful measurement Menu

Psychology’s Four Goals Description What is happening? – through observation Explanation Why is it happening? Theory - general explanation of a set of observations or facts Prediction Will it happen again? Control – this is not “brainwashing” How can it be changed? Desirable to Undesirable Menu

Psychology’s Biggest Question Nature vs. Nurture – the controversy over the relative contributions of biology and experience i.e., do our traits develop through experience, or are we born with them Plato/Descartes – biology Aristotle/Locke – environment (blank slate – tabula rasa) Natural Selection – Charles Darwin “On the Origin of Species” (1859) From among chance variations, nature selects the traits that best enable an organism to survive and reproduce in a particular environment.

Psychology’s Roots Aristotle (384-322 B.C.) http://faculty.washington.edu “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. Aristotle, a naturalist and philosopher, theorized about psychology’s concepts. He suggested that the soul and body are not separate and that knowledge grows from experience.

Structuralism Structuralism - focused on structure or basic elements of the mind. Wilhelm Wundt – “father of psychology” First true experimental laboratory in psychology Germany in 1879 Edward Titchener – Wundt’s student Brought structuralism to America. Objective Introspection – process of objectively examining and measuring one’s thoughts and mental activities (broken down into fundamental elements) Margaret Washburn – Titchener’s student First woman to earn a Ph.D. in psychology. Published “The Animal Mind” Structuralism died out in early 1900s. Menu

Functionalism Functionalism - how the mind allows people to adapt, live, work, play, and adapt to surroundings in the real world. A reaction to structuralism (consciousness cannot be studied) William James Influenced by Charles Darwin’s “natural selection” Physical traits that help an animal adapt to its environment and survive are passed on to its offspring Published “Principles of Psychology” (1890) – considered first textbook of psychology Mary Calkins, James’ student, became the APA’s first female president (1905); denied Ph.D. from Harvard due to being a woman Menu

Gestalt Psychology Gestalt – “good figure” psychology. Wertheimer – studied sensation and perception. Perceiving and sensing cannot be broken down into small elements and still be properly understood Important Gestalt quote: “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts” Gestalt ideas are now part of the study of cognitive psychology, a field focusing not only on perception but also on learning, memory, thought processes, and problem solving. Gestalt Therapy Menu

Psychoanalysis Psychoanalysis = Sigmund Freud Freud was a medical doctor – a neurologist (nervous system) Freud’s patients suffered from nervous disorders with no found physical cause. Note context of the time: late 1800’s to early 1900’s (“Victorian Age”) – intense sexual repression (mostly women clients) Freud proposed that there is an unconscious (unaware) mind into which we push, or repress, all of our threatening urges and desires. He believed that these repressed urges, in trying to surface, created nervous disorders – i.e,. “hysteria” Freud stressed the importance of early childhood experiences – especially the first six years Psychoanalysis & Psychodynamic Therapy Menu

Behaviorism Behaviorism - the science of behavior that focuses on observable behavior only. Must be directly seen and measured – “consciousness” is not a factor John B. Watson – all behavior is learned Based much from work of Ivan Pavlov who demonstrated that a reflex could be conditioned (i.e., learned). Watson believed that phobias were learned. Case of “Little Albert” – taught to fear a white rat through generalization Mary Carver Jones – Watson’s student Case of “Little Peter” – repeated Watson’s study (with a white rabbit) but actually “canceled out” the phobic reaction through counterconditioning Behavior & Cognitive Therapy (Cognitive-Behavioral) Menu

Seven Modern Perspectives Psychodynamic perspective - modern version of psychoanalysis. More focused on the development of a sense of self and the discovery of other motivations behind a person’s behavior than sexual motivations. Behavioral perspective – B. F. Skinner studied operant conditioning of voluntary behavior. Behaviorism became a major force in the twentieth century. Skinner introduced the concept of reinforcement to behaviorism. Behavioral responses followed by pleasurable consequences are strengthened Menu

Seven Modern Perspectives Humanistic perspective – the “third force” Reaction to psychodynamic theory and behaviorism Owes far more to the early roots of psychology in the field of philosophy. Humanists held the view that people have free will, the freedom to choose their own destiny. Early founders: Abraham Maslow Carl Rogers Emphasized the human potential, the ability of each person to become the best person he or she could be. Self-actualization - achieving one’s full potential or actual self. Hierarchy of Needs Menu

Seven Modern Perspectives Biopsychological perspective - attributes human and animal behavior to biological events occurring in the body, such as genetic influences, hormones, and the activity of the nervous system. Cognitive perspective - focuses on memory, intelligence, perception, thought processes, problem solving, language, and learning. --”Cognitive Revolution” (1960s) – shift in research and therapy for human behavior; now known as Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Menu

Seven Modern Perspectives Sociocultural perspective - focuses on the relationship between social behavior and culture. Evolutionary perspective - focuses on the biological bases of universal mental characteristics that all humans share. Looks at the way the mind works and why it works as it does. Behavior is seen as having an adaptive or survival value. Menu

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

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.

Types of Psychological Professionals Psychiatrist - a medical doctor who has specialized in the diagnosis and treatment of psychological disorders; prescribes medications Psychoanalyst - either a psychiatrist or a psychologist who has special training in the theories of Sigmund Freud and his method of psychoanalysis. Psychiatric social worker - a social worker with some training in therapy methods who focuses on the environmental conditions that can have an impact on mental disorders, such as poverty, overcrowding, stress, and drug abuse; can also do counseling (e.g., LCSW) Menu

Types of Psychological Professionals Psychologist - a professional with an academic degree and specialized training in one or more areas of psychology. Can do counseling, teaching, and research and may specialize in any one of a large number of areas within psychology. Cannot prescribe medications – however, there are now some exceptions in some states for certain disorders Areas of specialization in psychology include clinical, counseling, developmental, social, and personality, among others. Mental Health Counselor – similar training to a psychologist but less focus on academic (more applied), can be less specialized, and some limitations depending on state (e.g., minimal role in assessment , diagnostic reports) (e.g., LMHC) Menu

LO 1.6 Psychiatrist, psychologist, and other professionals Menu

LO 1.6 Psychiatrist, psychologist, and other professionals Growth of psychology  Menu

Tips for Studying Psychology See page 12 It may actually help!