The History of Psychology

Mrs. McGourty

When did we recognize that mental When did we recognize that mental health was important?health was important?

387 BC Plato states “know Thyself”387 BC Plato states “know Thyself”

Plato and AristotlePlato and Aristotle

Plato suggested that the brain is the Plato suggested that the brain is the mechanism of all mental processesmechanism of all mental processes

Aristotle suggested that the heart is the Aristotle suggested that the heart is the mechanism of all mental processesmechanism of all mental processes

The Middle AgesThe Middle Ages

People with mental illnesses were thought People with mental illnesses were thought to have been possessed by evil spirits.to have been possessed by evil spirits.

People were not treated for their illness, People were not treated for their illness, but in order to expel the demons.but in order to expel the demons.

Trephining: Dates back to Pre-Historic Trephining: Dates back to Pre-Historic (Drilling hole in skull to release demons)(Drilling hole in skull to release demons)

Many ended up dying in a gruesome way.Many ended up dying in a gruesome way.

The Scientific RevolutionThe Scientific Revolution

Search for scientific meaning in all aspects Search for scientific meaning in all aspects of lifeof life

Mesmer: HypnosisMesmer: HypnosisPinel: DEMANDED humane treatment of Pinel: DEMANDED humane treatment of

the mentally challengedthe mentally challenged

Phillipe Pinel 1774 ADPhillipe Pinel 1774 AD

Phillipe Pinel, a French Doctor, released Phillipe Pinel, a French Doctor, released the first mental patients from confinement.the first mental patients from confinement.

At that time, most mentally ill patients were At that time, most mentally ill patients were chained to a wall or room (no kidding!)chained to a wall or room (no kidding!)

Pinel began the first massive movement Pinel began the first massive movement for more humane treatment of the mentally for more humane treatment of the mentally ill.ill.

Wilhelm Wundt-1879Wilhelm Wundt-1879

Known as the father of modern day Known as the father of modern day psychology.psychology.

Opened the Opened the first psychologyfirst psychology lab at the lab at the University of Leipzig, marking the University of Leipzig, marking the beginning of the formal study of human beginning of the formal study of human behaviors, emotions and cognition.behaviors, emotions and cognition.

Structuralism: Studied the basic elements Structuralism: Studied the basic elements of consciousnessof consciousness

William James 1890’sWilliam James 1890’s

Along with John DeweyAlong with John DeweyPublished “Principles of Psychology”Published “Principles of Psychology”Dewey: FunctionalismDewey: FunctionalismFunctionalism: Mental processes Functionalism: Mental processes

help/cause human beings to adapt to their help/cause human beings to adapt to their everyday environmenteveryday environment

Phineas GagePhineas Gage

Gage suffered brain damage when an iron Gage suffered brain damage when an iron pole pierced his brain and stuck in his pole pierced his brain and stuck in his head. head.

His personality changed completely but his His personality changed completely but his intellect remained intact suggesting that intellect remained intact suggesting that there is a part of the brain which controlls there is a part of the brain which controlls personality.personality.

Sigmund Freud: 1886Sigmund Freud: 1886

Freud began performing TALK Freud began performing TALK THERAPY in Vienna, marking the THERAPY in Vienna, marking the beginning of PERSONALITY beginning of PERSONALITY THEORYTHEORY

In 1900 he published In 1900 he published The The Interpretation of DreamsInterpretation of Dreams, marking the , marking the beginning of psychoanalytical thoughtbeginning of psychoanalytical thought

Turn of the Century Strides: Turn of the Century Strides: Behavioral PsychologyBehavioral Psychology

1906: Pavlov- Classical Conditioning1906: Pavlov- Classical ConditioningThorndike: Operant ConditioningThorndike: Operant Conditioning1913: John Watson began to expand 1913: John Watson began to expand

the field of behavioral psychologythe field of behavioral psychologyCarl Jung departed from Freud and Carl Jung departed from Freud and

created Analytical Psychologycreated Analytical Psychology

Mid Century Strides in Mid Century Strides in PsychologyPsychology

Piaget: Pioneers the field of Child Piaget: Pioneers the field of Child Development and Cognitive DevelopmentDevelopment and Cognitive Development

Carl Rogers: Counseling Psychology and Carl Rogers: Counseling Psychology and TherapyTherapy

Karen Horney: Feminist view of Freud’s Karen Horney: Feminist view of Freud’s Personality Theories. She and many Personality Theories. She and many others expanded the field towards women others expanded the field towards women and claimed that Freud was sexist in his and claimed that Freud was sexist in his views.views.

Mid-Century Strides (Continued)Mid-Century Strides (Continued)

Erikson: Moral Development and Child Erikson: Moral Development and Child Development (Also: Personality)Development (Also: Personality)

BF Skinner: Added to Behavior MovementBF Skinner: Added to Behavior MovementMaslow: Humanist/Existential PsychologyMaslow: Humanist/Existential PsychologyFestinger: Social Psychology (Sociology)Festinger: Social Psychology (Sociology)

Later Cultural and socio-cultural influencesLater Cultural and socio-cultural influences

Slow Progress???Slow Progress???

In 1938 Psychologists started using electric In 1938 Psychologists started using electric shock therapyshock therapy

Lobotomies were commonly used to control Lobotomies were commonly used to control aggressive people with mental handicapsaggressive people with mental handicaps

Many mentally ill people were sent to asylums to Many mentally ill people were sent to asylums to be hidden from societybe hidden from society

Even people with low IQ’s and mental Even people with low IQ’s and mental retardation were sent to asylumsretardation were sent to asylums

Often the conditions were terrible.Often the conditions were terrible.

Journal of Clinical Psychology 1945Journal of Clinical Psychology 1945

The field begins to grow, and with the The field begins to grow, and with the publishing of the journal, psychology finally publishing of the journal, psychology finally

becomes a respected science.becomes a respected science.

1953: Ethics1953: Ethics

The Code of Ethics for Psychologists was The Code of Ethics for Psychologists was developed by the developed by the American Psychological American Psychological AssociationAssociation

Still, at this time, mentally challenged Still, at this time, mentally challenged people were being voluntarily sterilized (by people were being voluntarily sterilized (by parents permission) in many institutions all parents permission) in many institutions all over the USA.over the USA.

It still happens in some parts of the world It still happens in some parts of the world (Indonesia).(Indonesia).

Recent AdvancesRecent Advances1952: Medications such as 1952: Medications such as

Thorazine for schizophreniaThorazine for schizophreniaDSM Published by the APADSM Published by the APAToday: DSM IVToday: DSM IV2103 : DSM V2103 : DSM V1967: Beck’s studies on 1967: Beck’s studies on

depressiondepression

1970’s to the Present1970’s to the Present

Medication Studies: Ex. ZoloftMedication Studies: Ex. ZoloftGroup TherapyGroup TherapyPush for mandatory mental health Push for mandatory mental health

care coveragecare coverageE-THERAPY??????????E-THERAPY??????????