What is Psychology? zThe science of behavior and the mind ybehavior - observable actions of a person or animal ymind - thoughts, feelings, memories, dreams, motives and other subjective experiences yscience x an objective way to answer questions x based on observable facts / data and well described methods

What is Psychology? zA set of questions about mental functioning ytrace back to philosophy ( ARISTOTLE) zA set of theories and procedures for asking and answering questions ythe scientific method zA product of history yphilosophy asked many of the basic questions and used similar methods

Philosophical Developments zAnother Question: Empiricism vs. Nativism zEmpiricism-( John Locke)- Tabula Rasa zNativism- is the view that elementary ideas are innate zIs knowledge innate ? zAre abilities determined by our genes or our experiences? zThis is known as Nature vs. Nurture

Foundations of Modern Psychology zRene Descartes ( ) all creatures behave like machines Humans are the exception Our minds control our body ( except reflex) zCharles Darwin ( ) zTheory of natural selection (1859) yphysical characteristics evolve through natural selection yinborn knowledge and behavioral tendencies with survival value are passed on

Foundations of Modern Psychology zSeparated from philosophy in 19th century Wilhelm Wundt ( ) yLeipzig, Germany ywrote the first psychology textbook yapplied laboratory techniques to study of the mind ystructuralism - identify ‘atoms’ of the mind ( Edward Titchner)

Other Pioneers zEdward Titchener ( ) yWundt’s student, professor at Cornell University zWilliam James ( ) ystarted psychology at Harvard in 1870s yfunctionalism - influenced by Darwin to focus on how behaviors help us adapt to the environment zSigmund Freud ( ) yAustrian physician that focused on illness ypsychoanalytic theory of mental disorders

Other Pioneers zAlfred Binet ( ) yFrench intelligence researcher ydeveloped first intelligence test zIvan Pavlov ( ) yRussian physiologist ydiscovered conditioned reflexes zB.F. Skinner ( ) yAmerican psychologist at Harvard ystudied learning and effect of reinforcement ybehaviorism yPsychology Timeline- onlinePsychology Timeline- online

EXTRA INFORMATION ON PROFESSIONS zCLICK FOR NEXT SLIDE

The Profession of Psychology zAmerican Psychological Association had 52 divisions in 1998 zSome represent areas of training and specialization (e.g., developmental, clinical) zSome are applied (i.e., teaching in psychology, psychology and the law)

Areas of Specialization zClinical yabnormal behavior and psychological disorders ypsychologist vs. psychiatrist zHealth psychology ypsychological factors in physical health zCounseling ydealing with normal life situations yprovide guidance Other Psychology 15% Developmental 6% Clinical 36% Biological and Experimental 16% Industrial/Organizational 3% Social and Personality 8% Educational 3% School 3% Counseling 10%

Areas of Specialization zDevelopmental ypsychological change over the life span ysocial, cognitive, personality zSchool ycounseling and guidance in school settings zEducational ylearning and teaching Other Psychology 15% Developmental 6% Clinical 36% Biological and Experimental 16% Industrial/Organizational 3% Social and Personality 8% Educational 3% School 3% Counseling 10%

Areas of Specialization zPsychobiology ybrain and behavior ystudied at many levels yoften uses animals as research model zExperimental ybasic laboratory focus yanimals or humans ylearning, memory, motivation zCognitive yexperimental yhuman memory, perception, etc. Other Psychology 15% Developmental 6% Clinical 36% Biological and Experimental 16% Industrial/Organizational 3% Social and Personality 8% Educational 3% School 3% Counseling 10%

Areas of Specialization zSocial ysocial influences on cognition and emotion yattitudes and beliefs zPersonality yindividual differences yperception by others zIndustrial/organizational ypeople and work yjob satisfaction ytraining and selection Other Psychology 15% Developmental 6% Clinical 36% Biological and Experimental 16% Industrial/Organizational 3% Social and Personality 8% Educational 3% School 3% Counseling 10%

Professional Work Settings zColleges and universities zClinical settings zElementary and secondary schools zBusiness zGovernment Private Practice Government Universities & College Business & Industry School Employment Settings of Psychologists