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The Field of Psychology
CHAPTER 1 The Field of Psychology In this chapter we describe some of the efforts by scientists in the past to explore human nature. © West Educational Publishing EXIT
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Definition of Psychology
Psychology is the scientific study of mental processes and behavior. Research and Applied Psychology Research psychology is concerned with the origins, causes, or results of certain behaviors. Applied psychology makes direct use of information from researchers to solve problems. © West Educational Publishing EXIT
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y Psychology Timeline John B. Watson 1939 1920 Sigmund Freud 1890
Click on the names for more information. 1920 Sigmund Freud 1890 William James 1879 Wilhelm Wundt 1859 Charles Darwin Continue slide show. © West Educational Publishing EXIT
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Charles Darwin On the Origin of Species was published in His theory was that humans and animals had evolved and changed. His theory inspired scientists to study animals in order to understand human behavior. Return to timeline. © West Educational Publishing EXIT
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Wilhelm Wundt Wundt is referred to as the “father of psychology” because in 1879 he started the first laboratory in psychology for studying humans. He broke into parts the elements of feelings and thought. Using a procedure called “introspection” he introduced scientific procedure to study feelings. Return to timeline. © West Educational Publishing EXIT
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William James James is considered to be one of the founders of American psychology. In 1890, he published Principles of Psychology. The book was 1400 pages long, two volumes in length and it took him 12 years to write. Unlike Wundt, he did not want to break behavior into parts; instead, he never wanted to lose sight of the individual as a whole. Return to timeline. © West Educational Publishing EXIT
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Sigmund Freud Freud developed the first comprehensive theory of human development and behavior, especially how the personality develops. He believed that childhood memories and thoughts influenced the behavior of people when they became adults. Return to timeline. © West Educational Publishing EXIT
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John B. Watson Watson studied the impact of learning on people. This led to the school of behaviorism. He believed that careful and structured parenting could eliminate psychological problems. Watson later wrote a book applying scientific methods to raising children. Return to timeline. © West Educational Publishing EXIT
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Approaches to Psychology
Biopsychological Behavioral Click on the blocks for more information. Psychoanalytic Humanistic Cognitive Sociocultural Continue slide show. © West Educational Publishing EXIT
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The Biopsychological Approach
This approach looks at behavior as the result of biological factors such as brain chemistry, hormonal activity, and muscular responses. EXIT Click the terms for more information. Biopsychological © West Educational Publishing Behavioral Psychoanalytic Humanistic Cognitive Sociocultural
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The Behavioral Approach
People such as B. F. Skinner (pictured to the left) and John B. Watson are called behaviorists. This approach emphasizes that behavior is primarily the result of learning and not due to a person’s thoughts and unconscious processes. EXIT Click the terms for more information. Biopsychological © West Educational Publishing Behavioral Psychoanalytic Humanistic Cognitive Sociocultural
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The Psychoanalytic Approach
Sigmund Freud is associated with this approach. The view holds that our behaviors are the result of unconscious desires and impulses from childhood experiences. EXIT Click the terms for more information. Biopsychological © West Educational Publishing Behavioral Psychoanalytic Humanistic Cognitive Sociocultural
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The Humanistic Approach
Carl Rogers is the best known of the humanists. This approach emphasizes that people have free will, self-concepts and are basically good. Humanists believe that every person can fulfill his or her potential. EXIT Click the terms for more information. Biopsychological © West Educational Publishing Behavioral Psychoanalytic Humanistic Cognitive Sociocultural
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The Cognitive Approach
? This approach holds that people can reason, analyze information, and formulate a solution to a problem. Rational thought can influence behavior. If thoughts change, behaviors will also change. EXIT Click the terms for more information. Biopsychological © West Educational Publishing Behavioral Psychoanalytic Humanistic Cognitive Sociocultural
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The Sociocultural Approach
This approach looks at the impact that society, culture, ethnicity, race, and religion have on personality. EXIT Click the terms for more information. Biopsychological © West Educational Publishing Behavioral Psychoanalytic Humanistic Cognitive Sociocultural
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Careers in Psychology © West Educational Publishing EXIT
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Summary of Main Topics Covered
Definitions of Psychology Psychology Time Line Approaches to Psychology Careers © West Educational Publishing EXIT
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