1. Introduction to Psychology 5 Approaches to Psychology

2. Definition & Goals Definition: –psyche = mind –ology = the study of –psychology is the scientific study of behavior & mental processes Goals –describe, –explain, –predict, –control…behavior & mental processes

3. Structuralism (Early Approach) William Wundt = “father of psychology”; first lab 1879 –first formal school of psychology –emphasis on analyzing the basic elements or structure of conscious mental experience through the use of introspection (looking inward) Example: report sensations, feelings, etc. when looking at a photograph of a deceased relative Problem: requires smart people Problem: unreliable (varies from person to person/situation to situation)

4. Functionalism (Early Approach) William James –Concerned with how mental processes are used by humans & animals in adapting to their environment –broadened psychology to include behavior as well as mental processes –studied children, animals, and mentally impaired (structuralists didn’t use these subjects because they couldn’t use introspection)

5. Cognitive (Current Approach) focuses on how we encode, process, store, & retrieve information. how does our interpretation of a situation affect our emotions and how do those emotions affect our thinking? experiments center on how we perceive, think, & solve problems “self-talk”: tell yourself that you can/can’t & you will/won’t

6. Physiological/Neurobiological/Biological (Current Approach) Focuses on how the body and brain enable emotions, memories, & sensory experiences Analyzes internal physical responses to situations (ex. Blushing, hives, blood pressure, etc.) Explores the link between biology & behavior Topics: anxiety, depression, hunger, sex, stress, etc.

7. Behavioral (Current Approach) John Watson –study of behavior because it is observable & measurable, & therefore objective & scientific –behavior is determined primarily by environment (no free will) B.F. Skinner –operant conditioning = behavior that is reinforced is more likely to occur again (no free will) –positive reinforcement = add something good –negative reinforcement = take away something bad

8. Sigmund Freud –emphasizes the role of unconscious mental forces & conflicts in determining behavior –importance of repressed sexual & aggressive impulses (current & past) Psychoanalytical (Current Approach)

9. Humanistic (Current Approach) Abraham Maslow, Carl Rogers –focuses on the uniqueness of human beings & their capacity for choice, growth/betterment, & psychological health –3rd force in psych.; based on free will –reaction against behaviorism and psychoanalysis = 2 main forces