Chapter 1The Field of Psychology

WHAT DO PSYCHOLOGISTS SAY

TO EACH OTHER WHEN THEY

MEET?                                                            

You're fine, how am I?

What is Psychology?• The scientific study of mental

processes and behavior

Psychology’s Roots

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

Charles Darwin• Used animal studies to help us understand humans

Contemporary Psychology

Natural selection principle that those

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

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?

Nature vs Nature vs Nurture Debate Debate

Psychology’s Roots

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

Wundt developed the

term Introspection- Introspection- looking into yourself and telling what is there (e.g.

feelings).

Present Day Psychology

• Eclectic: the process of developing one’s own system by borrowing from other systems

• Careers in Psychology: counseling, school, environmental (environment and people), business, developmental, industrial (working conditions), engineering (systems and efficiency), experimental (research), teaching.

• Psychiatry vs. Psychology: Difference?

BIOPSYCHOLOGICAL

Examining behavior in terms of physical changes that take place in the bodyBrain Chemicals,

Physiology. Charles Darwin

BIOPSYCHOLOGICAL

Examining behavior in terms of physical changes that take place in the bodyBrain Chemicals,

Physiology. Charles Darwin

BEHAVIORALPast associations and the environment are strongest

influences on behaviorLearned habits, reinforcement

and consequencesB.F. Skinner/John Watson

BEHAVIORALPast associations and the environment are strongest

influences on behaviorLearned habits, reinforcement

and consequencesB.F. Skinner/John Watson

PSYCHOANALYTICBehavior is controlled by

impulses below the surface of consciousness

Sex, aggression, conflict, guilt,unconscious, Sigmund Freud

PSYCHOANALYTICBehavior is controlled by

impulses below the surface of consciousness

Sex, aggression, conflict, guilt,unconscious, Sigmund FreudHUMANISTIC

Environment and human nature work together to mold behavior

Inner world, self, personal growth, internal strength, patientunderstanding, positive.

Maslow, Rogers

HUMANISTICEnvironment and human nature work together to mold behavior

Inner world, self, personal growth, internal strength, patientunderstanding, positive.

Maslow, Rogers

COGNITIVEBehavior is a product of internal

thought processesThinking, logical plans

Jean Piaget

COGNITIVEBehavior is a product of internal

thought processesThinking, logical plans

Jean Piaget

SOCIOCULTURALBehavior strongly

influenced by rules and expectations of

specific social groupsCultural InfluenceSocial Pressures

SOCIOCULTURALBehavior strongly

influenced by rules and expectations of

specific social groupsCultural InfluenceSocial Pressures 6 major

approaches to the study of present-day psychology

6 major approaches to the study of present-day psychology

The Psychoanalytic Perspective

Freud’s theory proposed that childhood sexuality and unconscious motivations influence personality

Psychosexual Development

• Oral-feeding, sensing• Anal-toilet training• Phallic-girls envy

boys, guilt over fantasies develop

• Latency- interlude for other learning

• Genital-lasts throughout lifetime

Personality Development

Freud’s Psychosexual Stages

Stage Focus

Oral Pleasure centers on the mouth--(0-18 months) sucking, biting, chewing

Anal Pleasure focuses on bowel and bladder (18-36 months) elimination; coping with demands for

control

Phallic Pleasure zone is the genitals; coping with (3-6 years) incestuous sexual feelings

Latency Dormant sexual feelings(6 to puberty)

Genital Maturation of sexual interests(puberty on)