The History of Psychology

Objective Students will create a timeline in order to explain the historical emergence of Psychology as a field of study. Students will create a timeline in order to explain the historical emergence of Psychology as a field of study.

The Roots Ancient Greece Ancient Greece –377 BC – Hippocrates Problems of confusion and madness are caused by brain abnormalities Problems of confusion and madness are caused by brain abnormalities –347 BC – Plato and Socrates “Know Thyself” – we can learn a great deal by examining our thoughts and feelings “Know Thyself” – we can learn a great deal by examining our thoughts and feelings –322 BC – Aristotle Associationism - experiences often remind us of similar experiences from our past Associationism - experiences often remind us of similar experiences from our past

The Roots (continued) The Middle Ages The Middle Ages –1400 – 1600 AD Agitation and confusion were signs of possession by demons, which was punishment for sins or making deals with the devil Agitation and confusion were signs of possession by demons, which was punishment for sins or making deals with the devil Tests were performed to determine possession Tests were performed to determine possession

Birth of a Modern Science 1600 – 1800 AD The Scientific Revolution 1600 – 1800 AD The Scientific Revolution –Great scientific and intellectual advances –Use of Reason and Logic Nicolaus Copernicus, Isaac Newton, John Locke, Galileo, Antoine Lavoisier Nicolaus Copernicus, Isaac Newton, John Locke, Galileo, Antoine Lavoisier

Psychology is born! –Wilhelm Wundt Establishes first Psychological lab at the University of Leipzig Establishes first Psychological lab at the University of Leipzig Known today as the father of modern psychology Known today as the father of modern psychology 1881 – first journal dedicated to psychology is published 1881 – first journal dedicated to psychology is published

Psychology comes to America –G. Stanley Hall Brings Psychology to America and opens up the first laboratory at John’s Hopkins University First American Psychological Journal Formation of the A.P.A and Hall is named its first president

2 Schools of Thought Structuralism Structuralism –Edward Titchener –Concerned with discovering the basic elements of consciousness –Introspection – self- observation Functionalism Functionalism –William James –Concerned with the purpose of consciousness, not its basic elements –Based heavily off of the work of Charles Darwin

Behaviorism John B. Watson John B. Watson – study of the conscious mind should be replaced by the study of only observable behavior –Saw consciousness as a private event that should only be known by the individual

Behaviorism (continued) B.F. Skinner B.F. Skinner –Added to behaviorism by introducing the concept of reinforcement When an animal is reinforced, or rewarded, it is more likely that they will perform that action again When an animal is reinforced, or rewarded, it is more likely that they will perform that action again –Believed that humans and animals learn in the same way

Gestalt Psychology 1920’s 1920’s –Max Wertheimer, Kurt Koffka, and Wolfgang Kohler Based on the idea that perceptions are more than the sums of their parts Based on the idea that perceptions are more than the sums of their parts Reject structuralism and behaviorism Reject structuralism and behaviorism Insight – the reorganization of perceptions that enables people to solve problems Insight – the reorganization of perceptions that enables people to solve problems

Psychoanalysis Emphasizes the importance of unconscious motives and internal conflicts Emphasizes the importance of unconscious motives and internal conflicts Assumes that most of what exists in the mind is unconscious and consists of conflicting impulses, urges and wishes Assumes that most of what exists in the mind is unconscious and consists of conflicting impulses, urges and wishes –Human behavior is aimed at satisfying desires

The Humanists Revolt 1950’s 1950’s –Many people found Behaviorism & Psychoanalysis unappealing –Behaviorists seen as “dehumanizing” –Psychoanalysts attacked for primitive view –Humanism: emphasizes the unique qualities of humans, especially their freedom and potential for growth Carl Rogers & Abraham Maslow Carl Rogers & Abraham Maslow –Optimistic view of human nature

Biological Psychology Emerges 1950’s & 1960’s 1950’s & 1960’s –Renewed interest in Physiology and the interaction of the mind, body and behavior –Believe that much of human and animal behavior can be explained in terms of bodily structures & biochemical processes

Cognitive Psychology Cognition: mental processes involved in acquiring knowledge Cognition: mental processes involved in acquiring knowledge Behaviorism discouraged the study of “unobservable” mental processes Behaviorism discouraged the study of “unobservable” mental processes Jean Piaget & Noam Chomsky Jean Piaget & Noam Chomsky

New Wave of Psychology Psychology is ever-changing Psychology is ever-changing Our interest is moving towards Cultural Diversity & Evolution while still holding on to the study of basic human processes Our interest is moving towards Cultural Diversity & Evolution while still holding on to the study of basic human processes Eclecticism: drawing ideas from two or more perspectives of Psychology, instead of committing to just one system Eclecticism: drawing ideas from two or more perspectives of Psychology, instead of committing to just one system

Current Perspectives Neuroscience Neuroscience Behavior Genetics Behavior Genetics Evolutionary Evolutionary Behavioral Behavioral Psychodynamic Psychodynamic Social-Cultural Social-Cultural Cognitive Cognitive