PSY 5609 INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY Introduction Blackboard Course Outline Questions

What is Psychology? Psychology? –“The scientific study of behaviour and mental processes” Talking, sleeping, running, eating, reading, aggression, reproductive behaviour Sensory perceptions, judgments, feelings, memories –Utilizes the scientific method Method: Systematic observations Values: rigor, objectivity, open- mindedness Why do we act and think the way that we do? –What are the causes of our behaviours, thoughts and feelings?

Psychology’s Origins qGSgUhttp:// qGSgUhttp:// qGSgUhttp:// qGSgU

The Founding of Psychology Wilhelm Wundt –First psychology laboratory –University of Leipzig, Germany, December 1879 Sensory perception –Visual, auditory, tactile –“How long does it take to react to a sound? A light? A touch? –“How different do two lights have to be before one can tell which is brighter?” Interested in the composition of conscious, mental experiences and processes –“atoms of the mind” E.g., Reaction Time Experiments –Speed of the simplest mental processes, e.g., recognition –

Structuralism Edward Bradford Titchener –Student of Wundt –Brought psychological science to North America –Termed the school of thought “structuralism” Structuralism –Focuses on the basic structural elements of conscious, mental experiences Introspection –Observation and reporting of one’s mental experiences E.g., apple, rose, pencil, bell Report sensations, thoughts, feelings How do these different elements interact –Not reliable Different people reported different experiences

Gestalt Psychology Max Wertheimer –Phi phenomenon Gestalt Psychology –Emphasizes that people’s experiences are holistic or unified Gestalt = whole, form, or pattern –The whole is more than just the sum of the parts Perceptions don’t arise just by adding independent sensations –Thus, structuralism can not provide the whole answer

Functionalism William James –“stream of consciousness” Functionalism –Focuses on the functions of our thoughts, feelings, ideas and behaviours James was influenced by Charles Darwin’s Theory of Natural Selection –What is the survival advantage of organisms physical attributes and behaviours? –What is the survival advantage of our mental behaviour? –Sir Francis Galton Genetic inheritance Mental abilities are also inherited Expanded psychology from the study of thinking to the study of behaviour

Psychoanalysis Sigmund Freud –Physician, neurological researcher The Unconscious Mind –Unconscious mental forces were responsible for human nature and behaviour Developed Psychoanalysis –Theory of personality (human behaviour) & treatment of psychological disorders (therapy) Personality Theory –Mind (psyche): Ice-berg analogy –Conscious mind is just the tip of the ice-berg –But unconscious impulses, thoughts, wishes, memories have larger impact Sexual and aggressive drives and repressed traumatic memories –No free will Therapy

Behaviorism John B. Watson –Objected to structuralism & functionalism –Introspection is NOT science –Consciousness, perceptions, thoughts, mental processes Subjective, private experiences Not appropriate for science Psychology must focus on independently observable behaviour –Should study the factors that influenced learning and behaviour –Goal is to predict and influence behaviour Promoted the idea that behaviour is primarily determined by environmental factors –Ignore motivation, drives, thoughts (mentalistic concepts) B.F. Skinner –Consequences of behaviour Operant conditioning Reinforcement and punishment

Humanistic Psychology Abraham Maslow & Carl Rogers Reaction to behaviourism and psychoanalysis –Reject the idea of no free will –Reject the idea of unconscious forces controlling behaviour Humanistic Psychology –Emphasizes current environmental influences on our growth potential People are innately good, driven towards personal growth –People make conscious choices –People are innately good When needs are not met, maladaptive behaviour or thinking result Highlighted need for love and acceptance Theory of motivation & therapy

Cognitive Psychology –Focus on how the mind processes and retains information –Sensation, perception, memory, language, reasoning, problem solving –Reject notions of no free will Humans are active thinking machines Not passive reacting machines Modern brain-imaging techniques allow researchers to see mental processes –Thinking, remembering, solving problems, speaking, viewing images, hearing sounds –Cognitive neuroscience

Other Perspectives Neuroscience Focuses on the functioning of the central nervous system –Brain and spinal cord –Neurons –Neurotransmitters –Hormones Evolutionary Psychology Focuses on the evolution of behaviour and thought –How do our behaviours and thoughts benefit survival? Aggression Helping Consciousness Behaviour Genetics –The relative influence of genes and environment on individual differences Social-Cultural Highlights social and cultural influences on behaviour

Biopsychosocial Approach

Current Perspectives in Psychology Why do we get angry?