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INTRODUCTION & CHAPTER 1. Definition: science of behavior and mental processes The word psychology comes from the Greek words psyche - mind and logia.

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Presentation on theme: "INTRODUCTION & CHAPTER 1. Definition: science of behavior and mental processes The word psychology comes from the Greek words psyche - mind and logia."— Presentation transcript:

1 INTRODUCTION & CHAPTER 1

2 Definition: science of behavior and mental processes The word psychology comes from the Greek words psyche - mind and logia - study of Emphasis on SCIENCE – psychology seeks empirical knowledge It is best described as a combination of physiology and philosophy

3 I. Psychology’s Roots – the history Wilhelm Wundt, Sigmund Freud, John Watson Is this the beginning? The ideas/discussions go way back:

4 The earliest written discussion about psychological issues: The recorded dialogues of Plato (428-347 B.C.E.), then his student Aristotle (384-322 B.C.E.)are the first evidence of psychological discussions A. Prescientific psychology: Remember the Socratic Method

5 1. Plato (428 – 327 B.C.E.) believed character and intelligence were inborn & inherited 2. Aristotle ( 384 – 322 B.C.E.) believed people come into the world with a mind that is a blank slate “tabla rasa” Life, the environment, experiences write on the slate to make us the people we are The beginning of the infamous “nature vs. nurture” argument

6 3. The earliest personality theory: Galen’s theory of bodily humors (often attributed to Hippocrates) Personality was affected by levels of 3 biles (humors) in the body: 1.Black bile 2.Yellow bile 3.White bile Makes one melancholy Makes one phlegmatic Makes one choleric The right balance of biles makes one sanguine

7 Forward to the Renaissance Back to Nature v. Nurture – 4. Galileo – new concept of mechanism 5. Copernicus – observation as a part of science

8 6. Rene Des Cartes (1596 – 1650) resumes the dialogue He views man as having 2 innate ideas, everything else comes from the environment 1. Self 2. god “I think, therefore, I am” 8. John Locke (1632 – 1704) – believed man was born with a “blank slate” “..life, liberty and property.. So ends pre-scientific psych. 7. Sir Francis Bacon – encouraged empiricism in science

9 B. Scientific Psychology – begins in 1879 * 1. Wilhelm Wundt (1832 – 1920) – the father of psychology A scientist with a medical degree, he felt a new discipline was needed He researched inner sensations, having subjects identify the structure of thoughts Method of study - introspection *1879 – Wundt establishes psych. lab. at Univ. of Leipzig

10 Structuralism = “Lego Theory” Wundt’s type of psych. becomes known as Structuralism Wundt believed all people have the same components for thought, but each person assembles them differently

11 William James (1842 – 1910) of America develops his own type – focusing on the FUNCTION of thought Known as the father of American psychology Physician, then philosopher, he went to Europe and studied with Wundt Wrote the 1 st real manual of psych in 1890 - His method: introspection His type of psych becomes known as Functionalism

12 Psychology is changing & growing so fast, both structuralism & functionalism are defunct by early 1900s Other early leaders: 1.Hermann Ebbinghaus – classic memory studies 2.Sigmund Freud – develops psychoanalytic theory 3.Ivan Pavlov – studies on learning (conditioning) 4.John Watson – develops behaviorism 5.Max Wertheimer – develops Gestalt psych 6.Jean Piaget – cognitive, developmental work with kids

13 II. Major Perspectives – 6 A. Neuropsychology 1. Founder – no one person, many scientists contributed 2. Focus – explaining human experience thru brain chemistry and other anatomical functioning - Role of neurotransmitters, areas & organs of the brain, hormones 3. Techniques of study – brain scans, electrical stimulation, lesioning, chemical analysis

14 B. Psychoanalytic/Psychodynamic: 1. Founder – Sigmund Freud 2. Focus – the UNCONSCIOUS MIND 3. Technique – Professional psychoanalysis: dream analysis, free association, hypnosis to reveal unconscious conflicts Childhood, drives for sex and aggression – resulting conflict

15 C. Behaviorism: 1. Founder – John Watson Major figures – B.F. Skinner, Pavlov 2. Focus – LEARNING (always) Study only what is observable and measurable, stimulus and response (or the reverse) in the organism 3. Technique – experiments/training of animals No free will

16 D. Cognitive: 1. No one founder 2. Focus – very broad field: thinking, intelligence, memory, language, problem-solving, all associated with THINKING 3. Technique - varies widely, depending on the subject Cognitive psych also embraces Gestalt psych Gestalt = “whole”, perceptual studies

17 E. Humanism: 1. Founders – Abraham Maslow & Carl Rogers 2. Focus – FEELINGS & EMOTIONS Human goodness, potential for success & happiness, need for unconditional positive regard, the present, mental health, free will 3. Technique – humanist therapy, interviews

18 1. Founder – no one individual F. Social/Cultural psychology: 2. Focus – the impact of the social situation on the individual/effect of culture on thinking and behavior 3. Methods – interviews, field experiments, surveys

19 2 newer perspectives: Behavior genetics Evolutionary psychology How much do genes and heredity influence behavior? Twin studies, breeding experiments. Leader – R. Plomin Nature selects traits that are “fit” and promote continuation of one’s genes. Based on Darwin’s theory


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