What is Psychology? Many different views of psychology. Many different views of psychology. Loosely defined as “the science that deals with the behavior and thinking of organisms. Loosely defined as “the science that deals with the behavior and thinking of organisms.

Science  A science is a branch of study based on systematically conducted research.  Only strict procedures to gain research is permitted

Behavior Behavior refers to activities by animals or humans that can be observed directly. Studying emotional behaviors is much more difficult that physical ones.

Thinking Thinking refers to an unobservable activity by which we reorganize past experiences Thinking refers to an unobservable activity by which we reorganize past experiences Can only be studies thorough observed behavior, testing, or physiological changes. Can only be studies thorough observed behavior, testing, or physiological changes.

What Psychologists Study Focus on common and unusual behaviors. Focus on common and unusual behaviors. Try to study things that happen in everyday life. Try to study things that happen in everyday life. They study human behavior in all sorts of situations. They study human behavior in all sorts of situations.

Abnormal Behavior Examine violent behavior Examine violent behavior This is a small part of psychology. This is a small part of psychology. Most of the time, psychologists examine the cause of abnormal behavior Most of the time, psychologists examine the cause of abnormal behavior

Psychology and Other Sciences Has borrowed measuring bodily changes from physics Has borrowed measuring bodily changes from physics Has learned about body chemistry and how it relates to mood and personality. Has learned about body chemistry and how it relates to mood and personality. Biology has provided information about glands, senses and other valuable information. Biology has provided information about glands, senses and other valuable information. Focus in psych is always behavior. Focus in psych is always behavior.

Other Sciences and Psych Anthropology – the study of life and cultures. Anthropology – the study of life and cultures. Sociology – study of groups. Sociology – study of groups. Social Psychology – How individuals think and behave in relation to a group. Social Psychology – How individuals think and behave in relation to a group.

History of Psychology ► In its earliest form, psych was about spirits and how those spirits impacted a person’s behavior positively or negatively. ► Some cultures put holes in the skull to “let out evil spirits”

The Ancient Egyptians ► Each person had a person in them called “Ka” who was responsible for behavior. ► Had smaller versions of “Ka” who controlled the bigger “Ka’s” through Ka number 7.

The Greeks ► Hippocrates was the first to say abnormal behavior was cause by natural causes. ► The body has four “humors” – blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile. ► An imbalance of these caused problems in the body chemistry causing mental problems.

The Middle Ages ► In the middle ages, it went back to evil spirits. ► Abnormal behavior was considered to be demon possession and people were given exorcism – to expel the demon.

The 1600’s and 1700’s ► Descartes proposed that the mind and body interact and one could impact the other. ► Echoed Hippocrates

The 1600’s and 1700’s ► Phrenology – The science that all people’s personality and character could be read from feeling the bumps on their head. ► More garbage.

Later Developments During the 1800’s, many sciences expanded. During the 1800’s, many sciences expanded. Physicists, biologists, and chemists were discovering new information. Physicists, biologists, and chemists were discovering new information. Behaviorists were as well. Behaviorists were as well.

Wundt’s Structuralism William Wundt – known as the first psychologist. Studied the structure of human consciousness. Used introspection and experimentation.

William James’ Functionalism James believed studying how the mind worked was more important than structure. He thought how the human mind functioned was the important thing.

Sigmund Freud and Psychoanalysis Freud believed that human behavior is influenced by feelings and thoughts buried deep inside.Freud believed that human behavior is influenced by feelings and thoughts buried deep inside. To try to assist people, Freud wanted to draw those feelings out.To try to assist people, Freud wanted to draw those feelings out. Once out, they wouldn’t torment people any longer.Once out, they wouldn’t torment people any longer.

Freud Continued Free Association – Immediate response to a thought or question without thinking.Free Association – Immediate response to a thought or question without thinking. Freud used dream analysis as well to examine a person’s unconscious thoughts.Freud used dream analysis as well to examine a person’s unconscious thoughts.

The Behaviorists John Watson – Thought that observable behavior was the only way to measure. John Watson – Thought that observable behavior was the only way to measure. Behaviorists feel that surroundings are the most important indicator of behavior. Behaviorists feel that surroundings are the most important indicator of behavior.

The Behaviorists Watson believed he could take a normal, healthy infant and mold it into anything. Watson believed he could take a normal, healthy infant and mold it into anything. B.F. Skinner and Albert Bandura were famous behaviorists – Behavior is learned from observing. B.F. Skinner and Albert Bandura were famous behaviorists – Behavior is learned from observing.

Gestalt Psychology  These study how people use their five senses to get information from their environment.  They think the whole is more important than the sum of the parts.

Psychology Today Today, we used all five of the psychological approaches as well as several more. There are three branches that have evolved.

Cognitive Psychology Focuses on how people perceive, store, and interpret information. Focuses on how people perceive, store, and interpret information. We use prior knowledge to fill gaps in our understanding. We use prior knowledge to fill gaps in our understanding. Patterns of thinking. Patterns of thinking.

Existential Psychology Stresses the importance of individual choice. Stresses the importance of individual choice. Believe that people have free will and behavior is a combination of learned behavior and free choice. Believe that people have free will and behavior is a combination of learned behavior and free choice.

Humanistic Psychology The study of how people try to achieve maximum potential through health and self-growth. The study of how people try to achieve maximum potential through health and self-growth. Mix between Gestalt and Existentialism. Mix between Gestalt and Existentialism.

Current Views Most psychologists today take on a mixed approach. They will use whatever approach is most beneficial to the patient.