1. Introduction, History, The Six Psychological Perspectives

2. Psychology The scientific study of behavior and mental processes.
Uses scientific research methods.
Behavior includes all observable behavior.
Mental processes include thoughts, feelings and dreams.

3. Modern Psychology’s Roots

4. Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920) “father of psychology”
founder of modern psychology
opened the first psychology lab in 1879

5. E.B. Titchener (1867-1927) founder of structuralism
goal: understand the structure of conscious experience by analyzing its parts

6. Structuralism
studied the basic elements (structure) of conscious experience

7. Gestalt Psychology the whole is different from the sum of its parts.
integrate pieces of information into meaningful wholes.

8. William James (1842-1910) first American psychologist
author of the first psychology textbook
founder of Functionalism

9. Functionalism
study the functions of consciousness: how consciousness helped people adapt to their environment

10. Sigmund Freud ( )
founder of psychoanalytic perspective (personality)
abnormal behavior originated from unconscious drives and childhood conflicts
used personal observation & reflection instead of controlled lab experiments

11. Freud’s Influence Influence on “pop culture” freudian slips
anal-retentive
Influence on psychology:
psychodynamic theory – modern version of Freud’s ideas
importance of unconscious thoughts
significance of childhood experiences

12. Ivan Pavlov (1849-1936) studied learning in animals
Russian Physiologist
studied learning in animals
created an interest in the study of observable behaviors

13. John B. Watson (1878-1958) founder of behaviorism
studied only observable and objectively describable acts
emphasized objective and scientific methods

14. B.F. Skinner (1904-1990) Behaviorist
Focused on learning through rewards and observation

15. Humanistic Psychology
focus on conscious experience and individual’s free will
healthy individuals strive to reach their potential
humans are not solely controlled by rewards and reinforcements

16. Six Contemporary Psychological Perspectives

17. What’s a perspective? Method of classifying a collection of ideas
Also called “schools of thought”
Also called “psychological approaches”
Don’t write this bullet: Example – Whether you help a student who has dropped their books in the hall. Why do some help when others don’t?

18. 6 Contemporary Psychological Perspectives
Focus
Behavior is Explained by…
Cognitive
Biological
Social-Cultural
Behavioral
Humanistic
Psychodynamic

19. Cognitive Perspective
Focus: how people think and process information
Don’t write this bullet, just think about it (Forerunners – Structuralism, Functionalism, & Gestalt Psychology)
behavior is explained by how a person interprets the situation

20. Biological Perspective
Focus: how our biological structures and substances might cause a given behavior, thought, or emotion
behavior is explained by brain chemistry & structure, genetics, hormones, glands, etc.

21. Social-Cultural Perspective
Focus: how thinking and behavior change depending on the setting or situation
behavior is explained by the influence of other people present
*review

22. Behavioral Perspective
Focus: how we learn through rewards, punishments, and observation
behavior is explained by previous learning

23. Humanistic Perspective
Focus: how healthy people strive to reach their full potential
behavior is explained as being motivated by satisfying needs (safety, hunger, thirst, etc.), with the goal of reaching one’s full potential after basic needs are met.

24. Psychodynamic Perspective
Focus: how behavior is affected by unconscious drives and conflicts
behavior is explained through unconscious motivation and unresolved inner conflicts from one’s childhood
modern version of psychoanalytic perspective (Freud’s ideas)

25. Psych Perspectives Group Activity
Scenario: Fight Breaks out in the Cafeteria
Task: Explain how each of the 6 Contemporary Psychological Perspectives would explain the aggressive behavior

26. Psych Perspectives: Self-Assessment
Think about it…Now that you understand each of the Six Contemporary Psych Perspectives, with which one/s do you most identify?
Task: Write your name on each of your post-it notes and stick them on the perspective/s you feel are most accurate.

27. Psychology’s Horizon – Major Subfields

28. Behavior Genetics
Focus: how behavior is affected by genes and the environment
combines biology and behaviorism
emphasis on the importance of both genetic and environmental factors on behavior

29. Evolutionary Psychology
combines aspects of biological, psychological, and social perspectives
behavior is explained by how the behavior may have helped our ancestors survive long enough to reproduce successfully

30. Positive Psychology
Focus: to study and promote optimal human functioning
should promote building positive qualities of people rather than repairing the worst things in life

31. Careers in Psychology What do psychologists do?
Module 1: Introduction, History, Perspectives, and Careers

32. Basic Research
research that aims to increase the scientific knowledge base
research for the sake of finding new information

33. Applied Research
Aims to solve specific, practical problems rather than expanding the scientific knowledge base

34. Clinical Psychologist
Diagnose and treat patients with psychological problems
Largest number of professional psychologists

37. Homework Assignment
Read the “Subfields in Psychology” Selection from the American Psychological Association’s website ( and complete the “Psychological Specializations” handout.
Due Tuesday