PSYCHOLOGY

Module 1The History and Scope

of Psychology

Psychology’s Roots

Prescientific Psychology Is the mind

connected to the body or distinct?

Are ideas inborn or is the mind a blank slate filled by experience?

Prescientific Psychology

Rene Descartes (1596-1650)

Human Mind held two ideas:

Innate (i.e., belief in “God”)

Derived (all ideas acquired by experience)

John Locke (1632-1704) Empiricism – knowledge acquired by observation All ideas come from experience – no “innate ideas” Mind is a “blank slate” written on by experience

                                

Psychology’s Roots

Wilhelm Wundt opened the first psychology laboratory at the University of Leipzig (c. 1879)

Introspection, psychophysical measurements

Structuralism used introspection (looking in) to explore the elemental structure of the human mind

Psychology’s Roots

Max Wertheimer (1880-1943) Functionalism, however focused on how behavioral processes function—how they enable organism to adapt, survive, and flourish

Gestalt Psychology

Early Milestones

Stanley Hall – 1st laboratory in U.S. (1883)Herman Ebbinghaus – memory (1885)William James – founded Functionalism

(1890)Sigmund Freud – Unconsciousness (1900)American Psychological Association (1892)Ivan Pavlov – Behaviorism (1906)

Psychology’s Roots

Figure 1- British Psychological Society membership

Psychology’s Roots

Definition of PsychologyThe science of behavior (what we do) and mental processes (sensations, perceptions, dreams, thoughts, beliefs, and feelings)

How do we know?

Validity of knowledge: God is dead. Abortion is wrong. There is a genetic predisposition to

schizophrenia. The mind is just like a computer Attitudes affect cancer Pornography is harmful 2 + 2 + 4

Philosophical Developments

A Question: How are mind and body related?

Dualism - body and soul are separate but interrelated origins in medieval religion soul is seat of intellectual function and

will mind is product of the soul

mind not subject to scientific inquiry

to challenge this was punishable by death

Philosophical Developments

A Question: How are mind and body related?

Rene Descartes (1596-1650) - modified dualism since animals have no soul, much

behavior does not require soul the body can therefore control much

behaviorled him to study reflexes

the soul’s main function is thought, a uniquely human attribute

Philosophical Developments

Materialism: Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) mind is a product of the brain soul is not involved in human behavior

Empiricism: knowledge and intellect are acquired sensory experiences produce elementary ideas elementary ideas become associated into

complex thought and ideas

A Question: How are mind and body related?

Philosophical DevelopmentsAnother Question:

Empiricism vs. NativismNativism is the view that elementary

ideas are innateIf knowledge is innate

What is the purpose of education? Can intellect be changed by experience?

Are abilities determined by our genes or our experiences?

This is known as Nature vs. Nurture appears throughout modern psychology

Foundations of Modern Psychology

Charles Darwin (1809-1882)Theory of natural selection (1859)

physical characteristics evolve through natural selection

behavioral patterns also influence selection inborn knowledge and behavioral

tendencies with survival value are passed on

Human beings are part of nature and can be understood through the methods of science

Foundations of Modern Psychology

Darwin’s theory encouraged scientific inquiry

19th century developments in physiology demonstrated the approach to use based on scientific methods, controlled

laboratory experiments influential beliefs from early physiology

reflexology - all human behaviors occur through reflexeslocalization of function - specific structures of the brain

serve specific functions in the control of mental experiences and behavior

Other Pioneers

Alfred Binet (1857-1911) French intelligence researcher developed first intelligence test

Ivan Pavlov (1849-1936) Russian physiologist discovered conditioned reflexes

B.F. Skinner (1904-1990) American psychologist at Harvard studied learning and effect of reinforcement behaviorism

Contemporary Psychology

Psychology’s Big IssuesNature-nurture controversy

the relative contribution that genes and experience make to development of psychological traits and behaviors

Contemporary Psychology

Natural selection principle that

those inherited trait variations contributing to survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations

Andrea Yates

Cognitive Perspective Private mental functioning?

Biological Basis Brain chemistry depression

Social-Cultural Family affair? Extended family

Many factors shaping human behavior

Contemporary Psychology

Psychology’s Perspectives A lot depends on your point of view

Contemporary Psychology

Contemporary Psychology

Psychology’s SubfieldsBasic Research

biological psychologists explore the links between brain and mind

developmental psychologists study changing abilities from womb to tomb

cognitive psychologists study how we perceive, think, and solve problems

Contemporary Psychology

Psychology’s SubfieldsBasic Research

Personality psychologists investigate our persistent traits

Social psychologists explore how we view and affect one another

Contemporary Psychology

Psychology’s SubfieldsApplied Research

Industrial/organizational psychologists study and advise on behavior in the workplace

Clinical psychologists study, assess, and treat people with psychological disorders

Contemporary Psychology

Psychiatry A branch of medicine dealing with

psychological disorders Practiced by physicians who

sometimes use medical (for example, drug) treatments as well as psychotherapy