chapter 1: what is psychology and what are its roots?

CHAPTER 1: WHAT IS PSYCHOLOGY AND WHAT ARE ITS ROOTS?

What is Psychology?

1. Psychology derives its roots from ancient Greek culture. It literally means “the study of the mind.”

2. According to modern day psychologists, the science of behavior and mental processes is called psychology.

Greeks and Philosophy/Psychology 1. The Greek philosophers Socrates, Aristotle, and

Plato are credited with the inception of psychology.

2. These philosophers developed two practical theories concerning psychology:

a) Emotions can distort behavior.

b) And, our perceptions are merely interpretation of the external world.

3. The Greeks also developed some bizarre notions regarding psychology:

a) Emotions flow from the heart, liver, and spleen.

b) Mental disorders can be caused by excessive bile.

History of Psych

4. When the medieval Roman Catholic Church ruled over Europe, they began to preach that the mind was an “unsolvable mystery.” It operates completely outside the natural laws that govern this world.

5. In the 17th century, French philosopher Rene Decartes asserted that emotional activity comes from your central nervous system, and this system is triggered by brain waves.

Early Perspectives

Structuralism—viewpoint that looks to discover the basic structures of the mind and how they influence behavior.

• This idea was pursued by Wilhelm Wundt, and he built the first experimental psych lab.

• Wundt used the practice of introspection to study the elements of the conscious mind.

Introspection – the process of reporting on one’s own inner conscious experience

Introspection

Through introspection, subjects were given an experience and were required to report on his/her thoughts about it.

Most experiences analyzed were perceptual or sensory.

Once you see the cube change, you won’t be able to prevent it shifting back and forth, seemingly at random.

TURN TO YOUR NEIGHBOR AND TRY TO EXPLAIN WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN THEY LOOK AT THE CUBE.

Your description will be an introspective report of your mental experience.

Early Perspectives

Functionalism—took structuralism further in order to determine how consciousness could help us deal with problems of everyday life.

• John Dewey and William James pursued functionalism as a means to see how adaptive behavior can lead to mental disorders.

Structuralism and Functionalism http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SW6n

m69Z_IE&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active

1:11

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SW6nm69Z_IE&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active



6 Major Psychological Perspectives1) Biological View

-inherit some behaviors from your parents-measure function of nervous and

endocrine (hormone) system-strong roots in medicine and biological

science-have discovered things such as how

damage to certain parts of the brain can destroy certain abilities

6 Major Psychological Perspectives

2. Psychodynamic View

• Humans are largely motivated by our unconscious needs, desires, memories and conflicts

• Focuses more on treatment then research

• A big supporter of this viewpoint is Sigmund Freud


3) Cognitive View-our actions are influenced by the way

process information from our environment


4) Behavioral View• Measures people’s actions in terms of

direct observation

• They do not look to examine the inner reasons for actions but the effects of people, objects, and events on behavior

• Most strongly influenced by B.F. Skinner


5) Humanistic View• Your actions are influenced by your self-

worth and need for growth and fulfillment

• Emphasizes the positive side of human behavior- human ability, growth and potential

• Led by Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers


6) Socio-Cultural• Emphasizes the importance of social

interactions, social learning, and cultural perspective

• Culture- blend of human language, beliefs, customs, values, traditions

• Why certain cultures have certain behaviors

Psychodynamic

Past experiences (repressed experiences) impact our current experiences

Cognitive

Cognitive and decision making process- Thinking….

Behaviorism

Learn by watching others (modeling)

Humanism

Need help to reach full potential

Biology

Our knowledge of the brain and the influence of genetics on our behavior is small (like the pinky)

Socio-Cultural

To understand others we must understand their cultural background

How do Psychologist do their work? Psychologists use a process called

the scientific method in order to develop their knowledge of mental disorders and behaviors.

Types of Research

Experimental: Research where the relationship between two

or more variables are being tested The experimenter deliberately manipulates

one condition (independent variable) to measure a change Manipulated OR Independent Variable- the

variable that is changed or tested in the experiment Responding OR Dependent Variable- the variable

that is the result of the manipulated or independent variable.

Scientific Experiment

An exercise physiologist counsels his clients to exercise in the morning rather than at night to facilitate weight loss. Design an experiment to test whether this is the correct advice.


Do you need to define any terms for the experiment?


What is your independent variable?


What is your independent variable? Whether the client exercises in

the am or pm


What is your dependent variable?


What is your dependent variable? weight loss


How will you select and assign your subjects to a group?


How will you select and assign your subjects to a group? Gender Age Current weight Body fat composition


What treatment will the experimental group be given?


What treatment will the experimental group be given? exercise in the am


What treatment will the control group be given?


What treatment will the control group be given? Workout anytime throughout the

day


What controls will you use in your experiment?


What controls will you use in your experiment? The group of people in the

experiment Weighing participants at the same

time everyday


Is there anything you should control but aren’t sure how?


Is there anything you should control but aren’t sure how? Diet of participants What workouts they are doing How much sleep participants get

Types of Research

Correlation Studies Examiner studies

relationship between multiple variables without specifically manipulating variable

They assess if there is a “correlation” between variables

Ex: The more TV you watch decreases your life span

Problems?

Types of Research

Surveys: Used within correlation

studies People are asked their

attitudes, thoughts, beliefs, and are supposed to reflect the larger population

Ex: Voting surveys Problems?

Types of Research

Naturalistic Observation: Form of correlation

research Involves behavioral

assessment of people or animals in their home surroundings

EX: Jane Goodall – Chimpanzee culture

Problems?

Types of Research

Case Studies: An intensive investigation of an

individual or small group Often include psychological testing EX: Mass homicide/Terrorism Problems?

chapter 1: what is psychology and what are its roots?

Documents

sigmund freud slide

inception of psychology

mental experience

science of behavior

conscious mind

b mental disorders

functionalism http

practice of introspection