Approaches and History of

Psychology

What is Psychology?

Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes.

“Psychology” has its roots in the Greek words of “psyche,” or mind, and “-ology,” or a field of study.”

What do we mean by behavior?

Behavior is any action or reaction which causes a human or animal to adapt to its environment.Behavior can be overt=observableBehavior can be covert=internal or hidden

1.1 Why Study Psychology?

Psychology provides tools to help us gain insight into our own

behavior, as well as our relationships with others.

Definition of Psychology: the scientific study of behavior

and mental processes.

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4 Goals of Psychology:

1. Description: the kid at the candy aisle is having a melt down.

2. Explanation: he wants the pretty candy

3. Prediction: He will get the candy

4. Influence: Wal-Mart knows that moms have already lost patience with their kids by the time they get to the checkout line so they put the candy there to get the kids to wear mom down to buy the candy.

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Learning about psychology can help

you gain… – a better understanding of your own behavior.

– knowledge about how psychologists study human and animal behavior.

– practical applications for enriching your life.

1. Description

Example: The child throws a fit every time he goes to Wal-Mart and his mom says no by the candy aisle.

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Psychology is

Empirical that means

information is obtained through

observation and experimentation

not common sense or guessing.

2. Explanation

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By accumulating knowledge we are able to predict what people or animals will do or think in certain situations and predict future behaviors. 8

3. Prediction

Scientist seek to influence behavior in helpful ways.

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4. Influence

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Chains like Wal-mart have done these scientific observations and place candy as you check out because when your kid is screaming sometimes it is easier to just buy the candy bar.

Basic Science: Research Ex. Research on drug effects on the brain.

Applied Science: putting that research to use for a purpose Example: Using research on how drugs effect the brain to come up with a new antidepressant to help people suffering from depression. 10

There are two types of science that influences psychology.

Last point: Psychology is a behavioral science. Psychologists rely on the scientific method to obtain their data.

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Psychology vs. Psychiatry

Psychiatrists hold MDs and have specialized training in the treatment of mental and behavioral problems.Psychology is a much broader field which has many different specialties.

Empirical Science: knowledge orginates in experience and that science

should rely on observation and experimentation

The scientific method is used to reduce errors and biases.A theory is a proposed explanation. In Psychology we will be studying different theories.Hypothesis is an educated guess. Relationship between variables

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Scientific MethodThe science of psychology is based on objective, verifiable evidence obtained using the scientific method.

PseudoscienceGreek for “False Science”

Examples: Horoscopes, Astrology, Phrenology

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What is Real Psychology & what is Pseudopsychology?

Pseudo-psychology is the phony or unscientific psychology which pretends to be the real thing.

Pseudo-psychology produces confirmation/hindsight bias

History of Psychology

18The Greeks

Aristotle and Plato (384-322 BCE.)Started asking how the mind and the body were related?? Were the separate or related??

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

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Rene Descartes “I think therefore I am”

19plato.stanford.edu http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaKLrqxC70c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEr8hnvzeHU20

Dualism: the concept of the mind and body are separate and distinct.

Getting closer to Modern Psychology…

Charles Darwin (1809-1882)Theory of natural selection (1859)Darwin’s theory encouraged scientific inquiryVery controversial

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John Locke

One of his major contributions was to the field of psychology and he is often called the “Father of English Psychology.”

In the essay, Locke proposes that we are all born with certain knowledge and principles that helps us to become part of society. The theory known as Tabula Rasa meaning white sheets helps explain development.  He states that it is through experience, of the world around us, this is how one forms ideas.  He further states that human knowledge is gathered in 2 distinct ways through sensation and reflection.

Okay Psychology is going to go through a transition. It actually goes through several transitions to brace for the ride. (Epcot)

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3 Things you need to remember about your daddy:1. Wilhelm Wundt opened the first psychology laboratory in Germany.2. Changed psychology from a philosophy to a science.3. Studied introspection. Introspection means looking within yourself. How do you feel about this or that. How does that rose make you feel? 24

Who’s Your Daddy??? Wilhelm Wundt is the father of Psychology

William James

(1842-1910)

Broke down consciousness to basic thoughts.

Introspection - self-observationof one’s own conscious experiences

Investigate the function, or purpose

of consciousness rather than its structure Leaned toward applied work

(natural surroundings) Environment

Structuralism vs.

Functionalism

Wilhelm Wundt

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William James Known as the Father

of American Psychology. You

also need to know he wrote the 1st

Psychology Book. 26

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Phrenologyled scientists to study the bumps on the head to determine human behavior Phrenology is considered a pseudoscience (False Science)

Phrenology

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Gestalt Psychology

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Max Wertheimer(1880-1943)

“The whole is different thanthe sum of its parts.”

Can you read this?This is bcuseae the

huammn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by

istlef, but the word as a wlohe. Amzanig, huh?

What is it?? We like to fill in the gaps so that we see objects as wholes.

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Contemporary Psychology

Psychology’s Perspectives A lot depends on your viewpoint

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You have 7 to remember:1.Psychoanalysis

2.Cognitive3.Behavioral4.Biological

5.Socio-cultural6.Humanistic

7.evolutionary

Evolutionary Perspective

Focuses on Darwinism.We behave the way we do because we inherited those behaviors.Thus, those behaviors must have helped ensure our ancestors survival.

How could this behavior ensured Homer’s ancestors survival?

Psychodynamic Psychology pg. 18

Also called Psychoanalytic.Study of unconscious motives and conflicts that determine behavior. Unconscious are motives that you are not aware of. For instance if someone with brown hair rejects you, then you might not talk to people with that color hair.Conscious are motives that you are aware of.

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Sigmund Freud: Father of

Psychoanalysis NOT psychology!!!!

Psychoanalytic Psychology pg. 18

Study of unconscious motives and conflicts that determine behavior. Freud used the technique called free association He would say a word and you would say the first word that popped in your head and he would then analysis what is going on in your unconscious. 34

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zz80yYvnWg4

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Cognitive Approach

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Cognitive Psychologists return

to the study of learning,memory, perception,

language,development & problem

solving Example: Is your boyfriend dumping you traumatic or do

you just think it is therefore you are depressed? Or..your ability to do

math compared to a 5 year old. You can understand abstract thinking that

goes along with statistics.

Cognition is the mental processesinvolved in acquiring, processing,

storing & using information

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Cognitive Approach

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JEAN PIAGET 1896 – 1980

Worked in France administering Binet’s IQ test.Children do not think like adults. Why?Created 4 stages of cognitive ability that accurately explain the behavior of children.Influenced teachers and school system.

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Cognitive Approach

Biological Approach

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FocusHow the body and brain create emotions, memories,and sensory experiences.

Sample Issues• Depression and antidepressants. Problems with thyroids.

• How are messages transmitted within the body?

• How is blood chemistry linked with moods and motives?

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Behavioral Approach

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Scientific Psychology should

focus on observable behavior.

John Watson(1878-1958)

Ivan Pavlov

B.F. Skinner

Social-Cultural Approach

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FocusHow behavior and thinking vary across situationsand cultures.

Sample Issues• How are we, as members of different races andnationalities, alike as members of one human family?• How do we differ, as products of different

social contexts?• Why do people sometimes act differently in

groups thanwhen alone?

Humanistic ApproachYou have the potential to be great.Self Actualization.Feel Good approach.Client Centered TherapyHierarchy of needs. 41

Carl Rogers believed in “client centered therapy”Abraham Maslow came up with the Hierarchy of needs

Psychology’s newest frontier….

Positive Psychology

Martin Seligman

The Science of Happiness…

Happiness =

Genetic Set +External Circumstances +Intentional Activities

The Nun Study…678 Participants- Sisters of Notre DameLongitudinal study-Alzheimer’sAll born before 1917At age 22, each asked to write a one-page autobiography

For example…“God started my life off well by bestowing upon me grace of inestimable value… The past year which I spent as a candidate studying at Notre Dame has been a very happy one. Now I look forward with eager joy to receiving the Holy Habit of Our Lady and to a life of union with Love Divine. “

“I was born on Sept. 26, 1909, the eldest of seven children, five girls and two boys… My candidate year was spent in the mother-house, teaching chemistry and second-year Latin at Notre Dame. With God’s grace, I intend to do my best for our Order, for the spread of religion and for my personal sanctification.”

Findings….Strong positive correlation between positive emotional content and longevity (6-7 decades later)Optimism is associated with long life.