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