1. History and Goals of Psychology

2. Psychology is... the scientific study of behavior. – Science = evidence obtained through controlled procedures – Behavior = thinking, feelings, actions

3. Psychology Roots Greek philosophy – Aristotle – Plato – Socrates European “dark” and “middle” ages – 400 - 1400 Renaissance – “rebirth” – 1400 - 1700

4. BIG NAMES Early History of Psychology Wilhelm Wundt – 1879 – Structuralism – Introspection (reporting own mental experience) – “Father of scientific psychology” Edward Titchener – Brought Wundt’s ideas to the United States

5. BIG NAMES Early History of Psychology Max Wertheimer – Gestalt “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts” William James – 1890 – Functionalism – “Does behavior help you adapt to your environment?” Sigmund Freud – Early 1900’s – Hidden parts of the mind – Psychosexual stages of development

6. BIG NAMES Early History of Psychology John Watson – 1920’s – Measurable behavior B. F. Skinner – 1950’s – Outward behavior (not feelings or thoughts) Carl Rogers – 1960-70’s – positive Howard Gardner – 1980-90’s – Thought processes

7. Psychology Today Psychology today arises from 8 main perspectives: – Neuroscience (biological) – Evolutionary – Behaviour genetics – Psychodynamic – Behavioral – Cognitive – Sociocultural – Humanistic (not in text)

8. How we meet our needs for love and How can we work toward fulfilling our potential? How can we acceptance and achieve self-fulfillment overcome barriers to our personal growth? Humanistic

9. Goals of Psychology What do psychologists want to accomplish?

10. GOAL #1 = Describe Behavior Gather all of the facts Make sure info is accurate and complete Collect data by using: – Psychological tests – Interviews and observations – Medical history

11. GOAL #2 = Explain Behavior Put all the facts together to form a meaningful picture – “Who? What? When? Where? How?... Now I understand what’s going on!” Try to make sense out of all the data collected Determine what is relevant and what is not Similar to putting a jigsaw puzzle together

12. State what is likely to happen if the trend or pattern of behavior identified in Goal #2 continues NOT psychic predictions of the future! This helps the client to realize where they are headed and the consequences of their behavior “Wake-up call” GOAL #3 = Predict Behavior

13. GOAL #4 = Control Behavior Supporting people as they learn to help themselves Guiding people back to making good/healthy choices for themselves Helping people regain control of their lives NOT mind control!

14. What are the goals of psychology? D E P C

15. Who were the BIG NAMES of early psychology?

16. What are the BIG PERSPECTIVES of Today’s psychology?

17. History/Goals/Viewpoints Read the Prologue in your textbook !

18. Your First of many Projects!!