The Evolution of Psychology

Prior to 1879o Physiology and philosophy scholars studying questions

about the mind

Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920) - University of Leipzig, Germany - Campaigned to make psychology an independent discipline

- Established the first laboratory for the study of psychology in 1879

Psychology was born

Leipzig, the place to study psychologyo Graduates of Wundt’s program set up new labs across

Europe and North America

G.Stanley Hall (1846-1924), Johns Hopkins University o Established the first psychology laboratory in the U.S. in

1883

Between 1883 and 1893, 24 new laboratories in North America

Structuralism – led by Edward Titchener• Focused on analyzing consciousness into basic

elements• Introspection – careful, systematic observations of

one’s own conscious experience

Functionalism – led by William James• Focused on investigating the function or purpose of

consciousness• Led to investigation of mental testing, developmental

patterns, and sex differences

Sigmund Freud (1856-1939): Austria

Founded Psychoanalytic school of thought

Emphasis on unconscious processes influencing behavior

o Unconscious = outside awareness

Behavior is influenced by the unconscious

Unconscious conflict related to sexuality plays a central role in behavior

Controversial notions caused debate/resistance

Significant influence on the field of psychology

John B. Watson (1878-1958): United Stateso Founder of Behaviorism o Behaviorist manifesto published in 1913

Psychology = scientific study of behavior

Behavior = overt or observable responses or activitieso Radical reorientation of psychology as a science of

observable behavioro Study of consciousness abandoned

Nurture, not natureo “give me a dozen healthy infants, well-formed, and

my own special world to bring them up in and I’ll guarantee to take any one at random and train him to become any type of specialist I might select – doctor, lawyer, artist, merchant-chief, and yes, even beggar-man and thief…”

Behaviorist school of thought emphasized the environment (nurture)

Focus on stimulus-response relationships

S-R psychology

B.F. Skinner (1904-1990): United States o Environmental factors determine behavioro Responses that lead to positive outcomes are repeatedo Responses that lead to negative outcomes are not

repeatedo Beyond Freedom and Dignityo More controversy regarding free will

Charges that both were de-humanizing

Diverse opposition groups got together to form a loose alliance

A new school of thought emerged - Humanismo Led by Abraham Maslow (1908-1970) and Carl

Rogers (1902-1987)o Emphasis on the unique qualities of humans: freedom

and personal growth

In 1970 20% of students graduating with psychology PhDs were women

In 2005 it had increased to 70%

Female psychologists earn less than male psychologists

Inez Prosser: First African American woman to receive PhD in psych

George Sanchez: conducted work on cultural bias of intelligence tests

Psychologist- 4 to 5 yrs of post grad education- clinical psych: specialized in a clinical subarea- counseling: similar to clinical, however work with different problems such as marriage, family or career setting- DO NOT PRESCRIBE DRUGS

Psychiatrist- can diagnose physical and neurological causes of abnormal behavior- CAN PRESCRIBE DRUGS

Developmental: infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood and old age

Social: social interactions, prejudices, conformity, group behavior etc.

Experimental: research about sensation, perception, learning, human performance, motivation and emotion on animals and humans

Physiological: biological, how does genetics influence behavior

Cognitive: how we process, store, and retrieve info and how it influences behavior

Personality: describe and understand individuals consistency in behavior

Psychometrics: construct, administer and interpret psychological tests

Do not just read and review, ask yourself specific questions

Eliminate distractions

Break up your studying into sessions: brain remembers info longer if it has time to process what you’ve learned

Setting Goals:- time goal- general goal- specific performance goal (did significantly better on exams)

Focuses on the belief that behavior is governed by physiological responses like changes in brain chemistry, brain structure, nervous system, etc.

In other words: behavior is our personality, learning, motivation, emotions etc. So genetics plus our environment influence these behaviors “We are only starting to know

just how much our brain, genes, hormones…determine our behavior.”

Focuses on mental processes (how we encode, process, store, and retrieve information).

Believe that behavior is partially governed by the ways we think and interpret the world.

“How I think, determines my behavior”

the importance of the external environment in shaping behavior. A behavior’s frequency is largely a result of rewards and punishments.

the study of learning.

experimental testing that is observable.

“My observable behaviors are reinforced or punished and this is what determines mybehavior.”

your early childhood plays a huge role in shaping your personality.

childhood traumas and experiences create unconscious drives and conflicts that impact individual personalities.

“My past, my unconscious, determines my behavior”

Focuses on an individual’s free will and potential for growth.

Believes that behavior is determined by each person’s capacity to choose how to think and act which is dictated by their perceptions of the world.

“I choose how I behave”

Focuses on how behaviors and mental processes vary amongst the different cultures of the world

This is a more recent approach that came about as people in different places came into contact with each other more often (globalism)

Used to understand and predict behaviors

“My culture and social environment determines my behavior “

believe that people change or perpetuate (continue) behavior in order improve their chance to survive (and therefore reproduce)

Based on Charles Darwin’s theory of “survival of the fittest” (Natural Selection)

“Our behaviors are the result of ourinnate need to reproduce”