Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007 Philip G. Zimbardo Robert L. Johnson Ann L. Weber Craig W. Gruber

Ch. 1 Introduction & History of Psychology

True or False? Both center patches are the same shade of gray

True: The patch on the right appeared darker due to perceptual contrast with its background

Repeated exposure to the same face leads us to like it less False: Familiar people (& their faces) are generally liked more True or False?

What Is Psychology… science of behavior & mental processes broad field (many specialties)

What Is (not) Psychology – Psyc- scientific study of behavior & mental processes [empirical approach] PPseudopsychology – erroneous assertions of practices set forth as being scientific Psychology is not… mere speculation folk wisdom that “everybody knows” to be true

Psychologists must be skeptical & think critically What is the evidence? How was it collected? Psychology is Empirical conclusion based on research NOT tradition or common sense Knowledge acquired thru observation

What Do Psychologists Do? major categories: 1-experimental psyc 2-teaching of psyc 3-applied psyc broad field (many specialties)

What Do Psychologists Do? Experimental psychologists conduct most research  private industry or gov’t often college

I/OSports School Counseling Engineering Rehabilitation use knowledge developed by experimental psychologists to solve human problems Clinical What Do Psychologists Do? Applied psychologists

Psychology as Profession Universities & Colleges 34% Business 22% Hospitals & Schools 16%, Government or Consulting 10% Independent Practice 18%

Education & Degree PHD w/ clinical emphasis MD + residency # yrs Prescribe Drugs clinical psych psychiatrist

What Are Psychology’s Historical Roots?  modern psy developed… several conflicting traditions structuralism functionalism Gestalt behaviorism psychoanalysis

uncovering basic structures of mind & thought Structuralism Functionalism Psychoanalysis Gestalt psychology Behaviorism Tradition

Structuralism components of consciousness aassociations based on?? experience (3 parts) –p–physical elements –f–feelings / affections –m–memories i ntrospection Wilhelm Wundt Edward Titchener

Wilhelm Wundt ( ) First Experimental Psych Lab (1879) focus- scientific study of mind rigorous methods  “Father of Psyc” Harvard Yale Columbia U. of Pennsylvania Cornell Stanford ** students start labs ( )

mental processes adaptive purpose & function Tradition Structuralism Functionalism Psychoanalysis Gestalt psychology Behaviorism

Functionalism purpose of consciousness = ? –a–adapting to environment habits / self continuous flow… pperceptions eemotions bbehaviors applied: natural surroundings William James

how we construct “perceptual wholes” Structuralism Functionalism Psychoanalysis Gestalt psychology Behaviorism Tradition

observable events Structuralism Functionalism Psychoanalysis Gestalt psychology Behaviorism Tradition

conflicts in unconscious mind Tradition Structuralism Functionalism Psychoanalysis Gestalt psychology Behaviorism

Historical Roots Leta Hollingworth Margaret Washburn G. Stanley Hall Mary Calkins

What Perspectives are Utilized Today? modern (main) perspectives: Biological Developmental Cognitive Behavioral Psychodynamic Trait Sociocultural Humanistic Evolutionary/ Sociobiological

View of Human Nature: complex systems responding to hereditary & environmental influences What Determines Behavior: neural structures, biochemistry, & inborn responses to external cues Perspective Biological neuroscience - View of Alcoholism: Disease? Heredity play a role? What affect on brain?

View of Human Nature: predictable patterns of change thru-out life What Determines Behavior: interaction b/w heredity & environment PerspectiveDevelopmental

Influence of Heredity & Environment

View of Human Nature: people = info-processing systems What Determines Behavior: mental interpretation of experience Perspective Cognitive Jean Piaget View of Alcoholism: What thoughts lead to heavy drinking? Treat / alter thoughts change drinking habits? Cognition = mental processes: acquiring, processing, storing & using info

View of Human Nature: unconscious drives / urges Perspective What Determines Behavior: unconscious conflicts, repressed memories, & childhood experiences Psychodynamic View of Alcoholism: Is drinking a sign of deeper issues? Does drinking allow for unconscious desires to surface?

View of Human Nature: human growth & potential Perspective What Determines Behavior: influence: self-concept/perceptions interpersonal relationships need for personal growth Humanistic Abraham Maslow View of Alcoholism: Do people drink because they don’t feel a sense of worth? Does it provide a false sense of worth? Carl Rogers

View of Human Nature: behavior- shaped by learning Perspective What Determines Behavior: stimulus cues rewards / punishments Behavioral Ivan Pavlov View of Alcoholism: Alcoholism learned? Unlearn? Reinforcers? B. F. Skinner

View of Human Nature: human (social animals) behavior interpreted in social context Perspective What Determines Behavior: cultures, social norms & expectations, social learning Sociocultural View of Alcoholism: Drinking problem same in various cultures? Are unique pressures in a culture that contribute to abuse?

Behavior is Shaped by Culture Personal Space Value of Education Punctuality

View of Human Nature: behavior is developed & adapted over time Perspective What Determines Behavior: Natural Selection Evolutionary/ Sociobiological View of Alcoholism: How does drinking advance “survival?”

View of Human Nature: individual differences result from differences in our underlying patterns of stable characteristics Perspective What Determines Behavior: person’s unique combo of traits Trait View of Alcoholism: Can we use trait patterns to predict behavior?

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Predict what will happen Systematically observe events Do events support predictions Life Before Psychology René Descartes ( ) Philosophy & mind:  Does perception accurately reflect reality?  How is sensation turned into perception? Problem - No “scientific” way of studying Physiology & mind: SCIENTIFIC METHOD

Behaviorism focus: observable behavior John Watson ( ) Ivan Pavlov Science of Behavior StimulusResponsePsychology Mental Processes cannot be studied directly

Psychology (1920s-1960s) John B. Watson ( ) behavior w/o reference to thought S  R B. F. Skinner ( ) PIGEON & The Skinner Box Psychology Science of Observable Behavior Behaviorism

Gestalt Psychology Max Wertheimer ( ) “The whole is different than the sum of its parts.” Phi Phenomenon Illusion of movement created by presenting visual stimuli in rapid succession. A reaction against Structuralism An attempt to focus attention back onto conscious experience (i.e., the mind) WHY?

expressed in dreams & “slips of the tongue ” Freud & Psychoanalysis Sigmund Freud ( ) Key: UNCONSCIOUS Thoughts, memories & desires exist below conscious awareness & exert an influence on our behavior Psychoanalytic Theory attempts to explain personality, mental disorders & motivation in terms of unconscious determinants of behavior

Psychology (1960s-1990s) Psychology Science of Behavior & Mental Processes Cognitive  Sigmund Freud ( ) Dynamic Unconscious Mind Psychoanalysis Computers as Metaphor for Mind Study Mind through Inferences Drawn From Observable Behavior

Biological Perspective Focus creation--- emotions, memories,& sensory experiences Focus creation--- emotions, memories,& sensory experiences Sample Issues evolution & heredity influence behavior messages transmitted w/in body blood chemistry linked w/ moods & motives

Behavioral/Clinical Perspective Focus How we learn from observable responses. How to best study, assess and treat troubled people. Focus How we learn from observable responses. How to best study, assess and treat troubled people. Sample Issues How do we learn to fear particular objects or situations? What is the most effective way to alter certain behaviors? What are the underlying causes of:  Anxiety Disorders  Phobic Disorders  Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders

Cognitive Perspective Focus process, store & retrieve information Focus process, store & retrieve information Sample Issues How do we use info in remembering and reasoning? How do our senses govern the nature of perception? (Is what you see really what you get?) How much do infants “know” when they are born?

Social-Cultural Perspective Focus How behavior and thinking vary across situations and cultures. Focus How behavior and thinking vary across situations and cultures. Sample Issues How are we, as members of different races and nationalities, 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 than when alone?

Psych Is Theoretically Diverse Theory Dreams BiologicalPsychologyPerspectiveClinicalPsychoanalyticPerspective system of interrelated ideas used to explain a set of observations

Psych & Sociohistorical Context Trends & Issues In Society Advances In Psychology Psychology develops in both a social & historical context Early Psychology Affected by physics & physiology Society Today Affected by psychological testing (IQ, SAT, GRE)

What Causes Behavior? Behavior

Perception Is Subjective Internal Information Prior Expectations Current Mental State Experience External Information Actual Words/Actions Image Reflected from Objects “Sound” Waves Both Determine Our Experience of the World

Specialties In Psychology Clinical, Community & Counseling 51.1% General/Quantitative 3.6% Cognitive/Physio 5.2% I/O 5.7% Social/ Developmental 6.4% Other 8.6% Ed & School 19.4%

Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007