1. Discovering Psychology Chapter 1
Introduction and Research Methods
PSY 101

2. Origins of Psychology Wilhelm Wundt Edward B. Titchener
German Physiologist & founder of Psychology; fought to have psychology established as a separate & distinct discipline
Used scientific methods to study psychological processes (reaction time bell studies)
Published Principles of Physiological Psychology in 1874
Opened one of the 1st psychology research labs in 1879 & helped to establish psychology as an experimental science
Edward B. Titchener
Wundt’s student
Developed the structuralism approach that emphasized studying the most basic components, or structures, of conscious experiences
Introspection: viewing a stimulus, and reconstructing sensations & feelings immediately after
Introspection found to be an unreliable method of investigation (e.g. eyewitness testimonies), and the structuralism approach no longer used

3. Origins of Psychology Williams James
Instrumental in establishing Psychology in the United States
Believed that different species evolved over time (Darwin)
Wrote Principles of Psychology in 1890, which came to be the leading Psychology textbook of that time
Responsible for the functionalism approach in Psychology, which stressed that behavior functions allow people and animals to adapt to their environments
Allowed for direct observation rather than just introspection
Functionalism no longer exists as a school of thought within Psychology

4. Origins of Psychology William James’ Students Margaret Floy Washburn
G. Stanley Hall
Received the 1st Ph.D. in Psychology in the U.S. in 1878
Founded the 1st Psychology Johns Hopkins University
Began publishing the American Journal of Psychology & founded the American Psychological Association (APA) and became its first president in 1892
Mary Whiton Calkins
Conducted research in dreams, memory & personality
Never awarded a Ph.D. because she was a woman
Elected the first female president of the APA in 1905
Margaret Floy Washburn
Titchener’s student
1st woman to earn a Ph.D., advocated for the scientific study of the mental processes of different species of animals
Elected the 2nd female president of the APA in 1921

5. Origins of Psychology Francis C. Sumner Kenneth Clark Inez Prosser
G. Stanley Hall’s student
1st African American to earn a Ph.D.
Kenneth Clark
Landmark ‘doll tests’ demonstrated the negative effects of discrimination & were instrumental in the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to end segregated schools. (
Became the 1st African American president of the APA in 1970
Inez Prosser
1st African American woman to receive a PhD in 1933

6. Origins of Psychology Sigmund Freud Ivan Pavlov John B. Watson
Known for psychoanalysis, or the role of unconscious conflicts (sexual and aggressive in nature) and their role on behavior and personality
Oedipal Complex & castration anxiety
Ivan Pavlov
Helped to develop the approach of behaviorism, focusing on discrete behaviors rather than conscious & unconscious influences
Known for classical conditioning – evidenced by salivating dogs study
Before conditioning: NS (bell) = NR (no salivation)
During conditioning: NS (bell) + UCS (food) = UCR (salivating dog)
After conditioning: NS (bell) = CR (salivating dog)
Other examples – speed limit signs and driving speed!
John B. Watson
American psychologist who also supported the behaviorism approach
B.F. Skinner
Used reinforcement & punishment to shape behavior

7. Origins of Psychology Carl Rogers Abraham Maslow
Founded Humanistic Psychology in the 1950s
Diff from behaviorism approach of human behavior being shaped & maintained by external causes, emphasized internal factors such as self-determination, free will, and the importance of choice
Abraham Maslow
Developed Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs (emphasizes that people are motivated to fulfill basic needs before moving on to higher levels, with the ultimate goal of attaining self actualization or

9. Perspectives in Psychology
Biological
Studies the relationship between psychological processes and the body’s physical systems
Neuroscience
Psychodynamic
Emphasizes the importance of unconscious influences
Behavioral
Observations, behavior is learned & shaped by consequences
Humanistic
Focuses on motivation of people to grow psychologically, internal
Positive Psychology
Study of positive emotions, psychological traits and emotional states
Cognitive
Mental processing, how people think and process information
CBT or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cross Cultural
Study of the diversity of human behavior and how cultural differences influence behavior
Individualism vs. communalism
Evolutionary
Applying evolutionary principles to understanding human behavior
To cheat or not to cheat?

10. Specialty Areas in Psychology
Biological Psychology – relationship bt psych processes & bio sys Clinical Psychology – causes, diagnosis, treament & prevention of different types of behavioral and emotional disorders Cognitive Psychology – investigates mental processing Counseling Psychology – helps individuals adjust, adapt & cope with problems Educational Psychology – studies how people learn Experimental Psychology – research on basic topics such as sensation and perception Developmental Psychology – development across the lifespan

11. Specialty Areas in Psychology
Forensic Psychology – psychological principles pertaining to legal issues Health Psychology – role of psych factors in development, prevention & treatment of illness Industrial/Organizational Psychology – relationship bt people & work Personality Psychology – nature of human personality Rehabilitation Psychology – applies psychological knowledge to help people with chronic & disabling health conditions Social Psychology – explores how people are affected by their social environments Sports Psychology – applying psychological theory & knowledge to enhance athletic performance

12. Tomato….Tomato?
Psychiatry vs Psychology Psy.D. vs Ph.D.

13. Applying Psychology
Batman Unmasked – the Psychology of the Dark Knight
Part 1:
Part 2:
Part 3:
Think about how the diff psych perspectives
discussed would be applied to understand the
behavior of Bruce Wayne.