Psychology 001 Introduction to Psychology Christopher Gade, PhD Office: 621 Heafey Office hours: F 3-6 and by apt. Class WF 7:00-8:30

A Brief History of Psychology

Why do we need to know the history of psychology? To know why our famous historical figures thought the way they did, and addressed the topics for which they became famous. To know why our famous historical figures thought the way they did, and addressed the topics for which they became famous. To sound intelligent when we discuss psychology with our friends. To sound intelligent when we discuss psychology with our friends. To get an idea of why current areas of psychology exist today. To get an idea of why current areas of psychology exist today. History is the witness that testifies to the passing of time; it illumines reality, vitalizes memory, provides guidance in daily life and brings us tidings of antiquity. History is the witness that testifies to the passing of time; it illumines reality, vitalizes memory, provides guidance in daily life and brings us tidings of antiquity. Cicero Pro Publio Sestio Cicero Pro Publio Sestio Cicero

The Beginning Psychology’s roots come from the field of philosophy. Within the early conception of this field, a number of key issues were often addressed. Three of the major ones were… Psychology’s roots come from the field of philosophy. Within the early conception of this field, a number of key issues were often addressed. Three of the major ones were… The mind/body/brain problem The mind/body/brain problem Are the mind, brain, and body independent of each other? Are the mind, brain, and body independent of each other? Blank slate dilemma Blank slate dilemma Are humans born preprogrammed with behaviors and knowledge or not? Are humans born preprogrammed with behaviors and knowledge or not? Free will versus determinism Free will versus determinism Do we have consciousness, or are we automatons responding to stimuli in our environment? Do we have consciousness, or are we automatons responding to stimuli in our environment?

Socrates ( BC) Often cited as one of the first psychologists. Often cited as one of the first psychologists. Most of what we know of him was from one Most of what we know of him was from one of his “students” Plato. Supposedly addressed the concept of the soul in his dialogues, suggesting that it was separate from the body. This concept was later defined as “dualism”. Supposedly addressed the concept of the soul in his dialogues, suggesting that it was separate from the body. This concept was later defined as “dualism”. Most likely believed that morality and intelligence were things that were contained within the human at birth (innate). Most likely believed that morality and intelligence were things that were contained within the human at birth (innate). Best known for his attempts to study ideas through his “Socratic Method” of teaching. Best known for his attempts to study ideas through his “Socratic Method” of teaching.

Aristotle ( BC) The “intellectual grandson” of Socrates. The “intellectual grandson” of Socrates. Studied under Plato at the Academy. Studied under Plato at the Academy. Well renowned for his attempts to study a large spectrum of topics, not just philosophy. Well renowned for his attempts to study a large spectrum of topics, not just philosophy. Pushed for a more scientific attempt to understand the world and the mind. Pushed for a more scientific attempt to understand the world and the mind. “theory must follow fact” “theory must follow fact” *Came to conclude that the soul was inseparable from the body. *Reasoned that our intelligence is not preexisting, but instead result from experiences.

Our Modern World of Psychology Wilhelm Wundt (pronounce voondt) Wilhelm Wundt (pronounce voondt) Established the first “psychological” laboratory in Leipzig, Germany (1879). Established the first “psychological” laboratory in Leipzig, Germany (1879). Measured different types of sensory and physiological responses to stimuli. Measured different types of sensory and physiological responses to stimuli. keys example keys example Disney movies example Disney movies example “What are the components of experience, or mind?” “What are the components of experience, or mind?”

Edward Titchener Student of Wundt’s Student of Wundt’s Moved to the US and began teaching at Cornell University in 1892 Moved to the US and began teaching at Cornell University in 1892 Started an area of research labeled as “structuralism” Started an area of research labeled as “structuralism” The study of the basic elements and structures that compose the mind. The study of the basic elements and structures that compose the mind. The majority of his research was done through a form of research called introspection* The majority of his research was done through a form of research called introspection* Orange example Orange example *This was originally designed by Wundt, but was used extensively by Titchener in his research *This was originally designed by Wundt, but was used extensively by Titchener in his research

William James Best known for his introduction of Best known for his introduction of the concept of “functionalism” in psychology. “Don’t concern yourselves with the parts and structures of the mind and brain, instead ask: what is the purpose behind the actions of our mind?” “Don’t concern yourselves with the parts and structures of the mind and brain, instead ask: what is the purpose behind the actions of our mind?” The eye example The eye example Wrote THE most influential book in the field of psychology: The Principles of Psychology (1890) Wrote THE most influential book in the field of psychology: The Principles of Psychology (1890)

Sigmund Freud His theories made the field of psychology His theories made the field of psychology not only popular with the majority of the population, it also made it “sexy”. Introduced his ideas of the subconscious, repression, and psychoanalysis in his book “The Interpretation of Dreams (1900)”. Introduced his ideas of the subconscious, repression, and psychoanalysis in his book “The Interpretation of Dreams (1900)”. Despite his many shortcomings, a number of his ideas and methodologies are still in circulation today (though most of them have been either restructured, or entirely removed from popular psychology). Despite his many shortcomings, a number of his ideas and methodologies are still in circulation today (though most of them have been either restructured, or entirely removed from popular psychology).

A Move to Behaviorism (1920’s) A few years after Freud made psychology popular, the psychological community shifted their focus in an entirely different direction. A few years after Freud made psychology popular, the psychological community shifted their focus in an entirely different direction. “The mind is too vast, our measurements too limited, and our perceptions to vague and biased to truly understand the function of our minds through measurement.” “The mind is too vast, our measurements too limited, and our perceptions to vague and biased to truly understand the function of our minds through measurement.” This change was believed to be based on a reaction to: This change was believed to be based on a reaction to: The rapid growth of the field The rapid growth of the field The direction that the field was taking The direction that the field was taking The mystical based interpretation of the field The mystical based interpretation of the field

The Cognitive Revolution (1970’s) Behaviorism, though very helpful in a number of areas, could not explain everything. Behaviorism, though very helpful in a number of areas, could not explain everything. latent learning example latent learning example language acquisition example language acquisition example New forms of measurement (EEG, fMRI) had also begun to separate the field of psychology away from a strictly behaviorist approach. New forms of measurement (EEG, fMRI) had also begun to separate the field of psychology away from a strictly behaviorist approach.

Today’s Modern World of Psychology Current goals Current goals Different areas of psychology Different areas of psychology What do psychologists actually do? What do psychologists actually do?

The Goal of Psychologist Despite what you may be hoping for, psychologists are not able to “control” human behavior. Despite what you may be hoping for, psychologists are not able to “control” human behavior. Their goal is to understand and define how the mind and body play roles in our interpretations, desires, approaches, and behaviors. Their goal is to understand and define how the mind and body play roles in our interpretations, desires, approaches, and behaviors.

Different Areas of Psychology Biological Psychology Biological Psychology Evolutionary Psychology Evolutionary Psychology Motivation Psychology Motivation Psychology Cognitive Psychology Cognitive Psychology Behavioral Psychology Behavioral Psychology Personality Psychology Personality Psychology Developmental Psychology Developmental Psychology Social Psychology Social Psychology Cultural Psychology Cultural Psychology Industrial/Organizational Psychology Industrial/Organizational Psychology Clinical Psychology Clinical Psychology

But, what do psychologists do? With a BA or a BS: With a BA or a BS: not much in the area of psychology not much in the area of psychology With an MA: With an MA: Ergonomics, teaching, I/O, marketing, counseling, sales, forensics, research Ergonomics, teaching, I/O, marketing, counseling, sales, forensics, research With a higher degree (PhD, PsyD, etc.) With a higher degree (PhD, PsyD, etc.) Research, teaching, clinical work Research, teaching, clinical work

Different Types of Clinical Psychology Clinical Psychologist Clinical Psychologist Psychiatrist Psychiatrist Psychoanalyst Psychoanalyst Clinical Social Worker Clinical Social Worker Counseling Psychologist Counseling Psychologist Forensic Psychologist Forensic Psychologist

What you need to know… Most of today’s topics in psychology can be traced back to much earlier roots. Most of today’s topics in psychology can be traced back to much earlier roots. There is a wide array of different topics that psychologists address. There is a wide array of different topics that psychologists address. Psychologists can be found in a large variety of different occupational fields. Psychologists can be found in a large variety of different occupational fields.