The Story of Psychology Ψ Module 1

Psychology’s Roots

Who are We? Where do our thoughts come from? How do we understand our feelings and actions? How do we understand other people’s feelings and emotions and communicate with others?

The “everyday” way we explain our own and other’s behavior is called “Folk Psychology”. Folk Psychology comes from: Introspection = self-reflection. Examining our own feelings, thought, actions and beliefs. Observing and trying to understand other people’s behaviors.

Folk Psychology theories can be seen in folk wisdoms sayings (idioms)we often hear. But here is the problem: For every piece of folk wisdom, there is typically a completely contradictory piece of wisdom. e.g., "You're never too old to learn" or "You can't teach an old dog new tricks"?

e.g., "Birds of a feather flock together." It means that similar people are attracted to one another. But there is also the folk wisdom of "Opposites attract“. They both can't be right. So which is it?

e.g., “Many hands make light the work" (or "two heads are better than one") but "too many cooks spoil the broth“.

Philosophical Roots of Psychology Early philosophers relied on methods such as observation and logic, today’s psychologists utilize scientific methodologies to study and draw conclusions about human thought and behavior.

Philosophers propose theories about possible worlds. Their theories do not have to stand up to scientific evidence.

Philosophy and Psychology’s Shared BIG Issues! How much is our behavior determined by “innate” factors and how much by “experiential” factors? Nature vs. Nurture debate.

Nature The argument that biological factors have the strongest influence on development. Any capabilities or limitations are innate “genetic blueprint” for development exists

Nurture The argument that environmental factors have the strongest influence on a person’s nature. Environmental influences: Family School Peers Culture

What is the Nature-Nurture Debate? The question of whether a person’s nature is most influenced by genetics (nature) or environment (nurture).

300 BC

Knowledge according to ancient Greeks (300 B.C.): Socrates – all nature (born with ALL knowledge). Plato – some nature and some nurture. Aristotle – all nurture

John Locke ( ) Human’s are born a clean slate (tabula rasa) and are taught morality and all knowledge by society.

Charles Darwin - process of natural Selection shapes behaviors as well as physical characteristics. Evolutionary adaptations contribute to the fitness and survival of individuals.

Social Behavior is Adaptive Many social behaviors of animals are adaptive, (ultimately increases an animal’s fitness — its lifetime reproductive success). An example is protection against predators.

Altruism Definition: behavior by an animal that is not beneficial to or may be harmful to itself but that benefits others of its species. Why would a person risk there lives to help someone else?

Does the Nature Vs. Nurture Issue matter? If Genetic, how should we treat alcoholism? What if it is due to nurture?

Interactionism A range of genetic influences can be expressed differently in a range of potential environments. Both nature and nurture influence development, but one may be predominant at a certain point in life.

Contemporary View – Nature and Nurture both play a role in human psychology (Interactionism) Biopsychosocial Approach.

Biology Genetic Predisposition (OCD) Psychological Cultural - lack of control - pressure from family - perfectionism - media “thin is good” Anorexia Nervosa

Mind-Body Problem Dualism - the idea that the mind and body are separate. Body – physical, material, follows the physical laws of nature. Can be studied scientifically. Mind – non-physical, spiritual, does not follow physical laws and therefore can not be studied scientifically.

Interactive Dualism Mind Body The relationship is lawful. Mind Effects Body and Body Effects Mind René Descartes ( ) We can learn about the mind by studying behavior.

Descartes localized the mind’s (soul's) contact with body in the pineal gland. Descarates had his reasons for Selecting the Pineal gland, but they are not very convincing today.

Importance to the development of Psychology Although we can not directly study the “MIND” we can study human behavior in relation to environmental factors. We can study behaviour and use those observations to INFER what is happening n the mind.

Psychology The scientific study of human behavior and mental processes.

The Science of Psychology Is Born Wilhelm Wundt ( ) First Experimental Psych Lab (1879) Focuses on the scientific study of the mind. Insists that Psych methods be as rigorous as the methods of chemistry & physics. Video “Atoms of the mind” fastest and simplest mental processes.

Structuralism (Titchener) Analyze consciousness into basic elements and study how they are related Introspective Method Have people describe their mental processes in response to a stimulus.

William James ( ) Investigate the function, or purpose of consciousness rather than its structure. Psychology defined as the “science of Mental life”. Stream of consciousness Principles of Psychology Functionalism

Freud (1890’s) Psychoanalysis - Unconscious, conflicting impulses and motivations

Behaviorism Scientific Psychology should focus only on observable behavior. John Watson ( ) StimulusResponsePsychology Behavior Controlled by Environmental Stimuli!

Behaviorism Give me a dozen healthy infants, well-formed and my own specific world to bring them up in and I’ll guarantee to take any one of them at random and train him to become any type of specialist I might select -- a doctor, lawyer, artist, merchant-chief, and yes, even beggar-man and thief, regardless of his talents, penchants, abilities, vocations and race of his ancestors. (J. B. Watson, 1924).

Humanist Psychology Carl Rogers, Abraham Maslow - People are motivated toward growth (self-actualization) Cognitive Psychology -studies mental processes including how people think, perceive, remember, and learn.

What do Psychologist Do? Basic Research -Build Psychology’s knowledge base. Specialized Areas

Applied Fields - Industrial Organization - Ergonomics (Human Factors or Engineering Psych) - School Psychologist (testing) - Forensic (court) Settings - Advertising

Counseling Psychologists Clinical Psychologists Psychologist vs. Psychiatrist

Positive Psychology -Focus on promoting mental wellbeing (preventative psychology). Community Psychology - Focus on creating psychologically healthy social and physical environments.