Chapter 1 The Evolution of Psychology

Table of Contents The Development of Psychology: From Speculation to Science Prior to 1879 –Physiology and philosophy scholars studying questions about the mind Wilhelm Wundt ( ) University of Leipzig, Germany –Campaigned to make psychology an independent discipline –Established the first laboratory for the study of psychology in 1879 Psychology was born

Table of Contents Wilhelm Wundt’s International Influence Leipzig, the place to study psychology –Graduates of Wundt’s program set up new labs across Europe and North America G.Stanley Hall ( ), Johns Hopkins University –Established the first psychology laboratory in the U.S. in 1883 Between 1883 and 1893, 24 new laboratories in North America

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Introspection activity… (Using Wundt’s early method of analysis) Write about a HALF PAGE or more about ONE of the following questions: –Have you been the kind of friend you want as a friend? –Would you be willing to reduce your life expectancy by 10 years to become extremely attractive or famous? –What’s something you know you do differently than most people? –To what degree have you actually controlled the course your life has taken?

Table of Contents The Battle of the “Schools” in the U.S.: Structuralism vs. Functionalism Two intellectual schools of thought regarding the science of psychology –Structuralism – led by Edward Titchener Focused on analyzing consciousness into basic elements Introspection – careful, systematic observations of one’s own conscious experience –Functionalism – led by William James Focused on investigating the function or purpose of consciousness Led to investigation of mental testing, developmental patterns, and sex differences May have attracted the first women into the field of psychology

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Who Won the Battle? Most historians give the edge to James and the functionalists –Today, psychologists are not really categorized as structuralists or functionalists Applied psychology and Behaviorism - descendants of functionalism –Behaviorism - early 1900’s The next major school of thought to influence the development of psychology

Table of Contents Behaviorism: Redefining Psychology John B. Watson ( ): United States –Founder of Behaviorism Psychology = scientific study of behavior Behavior = overt or observable responses or activities –Radical reorientation of psychology as a science of observable behavior –Study of consciousness abandoned

Table of Contents The Nature vs. Nurture Debate Debate over whether behavior is determined by genetic inheritance (nature) or By the environment and experience (nurture) Nature or Nurture? Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman Twins: Is it All in the Genes? - Our America with Lisa Ling

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Nature vs. Nurture Group Illustration Illustrate an example of characteristics influenced by nature, nurture, or both; Include explanations & definitions) NatureBothNurture(definition)

Table of Contents Nature, Nurture, & What Makes a Killer Listen to NPR Audio article “What Does The Mind Of A ( Killer Look Like?”“What Does The Mind Of A ( Killer Look Like?” Write a summary of the article (1/2 page) According to Jim Fallon, what circumstances must come together to create a killer? How does this apply to the nature vs. nurture debate? –Turn in to drawer and work on nature/nurture group illustration

Table of Contents Nature, Nurture, & What Makes a Killer Watch: “What Does The Mind Of A Killer Look Like?”“What Does The Mind Of A Killer Look Like?” 1. Write a summary of the video(1/2 page) 2. According to Jim Fallon, what circumstances must come together to create a killer? 3.How does this apply to the nature vs. nurture debate? –Turn in to drawer and work on nature/nurture group illustration

Table of Contents John Watson and the Nature-Nurture Debate Nurture, not nature –“give me a dozen healthy infants, well-formed, and my own special world to bring them up in and I’ll guarantee to take any one at random and train him to become any type of specialist I might select – doctor, lawyer, artist, merchant-chief, and yes, even beggar-man and thief…” Behaviorist school of thought emphasized the environment (nurture) Focus on stimulus-response relationships S-R psychology

Table of Contents Sigmund Freud and the Concept of the Unconscious Mind Sigmund Freud ( ): Austria Founded Psychoanalytic school of thought Emphasis on unconscious processes influencing behavior –Unconscious = outside awareness Ross & Emily

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Freud’s Ideas: Controversy and Influence Behavior is influenced by the unconscious Unconscious conflict related to sexuality plays a central role in behavior Controversial notions caused debate/resistance Significant influence on the field of psychology

Table of Contents Freud’s Couch… (psychoanalysis) Freud Documentary Part 1Part 2Part 3

Table of Contents Behaviorism Revisited: B.F. Skinner B.F. Skinner ( ): United States –Environmental factors determine behavior –Responses that lead to positive outcomes are repeated –Responses that lead to negative outcomes are not repeated –Beyond Freedom and Dignity –More controversy regarding free will

Table of Contents The 1950’s: Opposition to Psychoanalytic Theory and Behaviorism Charges that both were de-humanizing Diverse opposition groups got together to form a loose alliance A new school of thought emerged - Humanism –Led by Abraham Maslow ( ) and Carl Rogers ( ) –Emphasis on the unique qualities of humans: freedom and personal growth

Table of Contents Putting the Psyche Back in Psychology: The Return of Cognition Cognition = mental processes involved in acquiring knowledge 1950’s and 60’s – Piaget, Chomsky, and Simon –Application of scientific methods to studying internal mental events –Cognitive psychology: the new dominant perspective?

Table of Contents Biological Psychology: The Biological Basis of Behavior –Biological perspective - behavior explained in terms of physiological processes James Olds (1956) –Electrical stimulation of the brain evokes emotional responses in animals Roger Sperry (1981) –Left and right brain specialization

Table of Contents Evolutionary Psychology: Behavioral Patterns in Terms of Evolutionary Significance Central premise: natural selection occurs for behavioral, as well as physical, characteristics Buss, Daly & Wilson, Cosmides & Tooby – 80’s and 90’s Studied natural selection of mating preferences, jealousy, aggression, sexual behavior, language, decision making, personality, and development –Thought provoking perspective gaining in influence, but not without criticism

Table of Contents Contemporary Psychology: Cultural Diversity Ethnocentrism – viewing one’s own group as superior and as the standard for judging Historically: middle and upper class white males studying middle and upper class white males 1980’s – increased interest in how cultural factors influence behavior growing global interdependence increased cultural diversity

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Psychology Today: A Thriving Science and Profession Overview of History of Psychology – p Psychology is the science that studies behavior and the physiological and cognitive processes that underlie it, and it is the profession that applies the accumulated knowledge of this science to practical problems. Research: Seven major areas – F 1.8 Applied Psychology: Four major areas – F 1.9

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Table of Contents Studying Psychology: Seven Organizing Themes Themes related to psychology as a field of study: –Psychology is empirical (Theme 1), theoretically diverse (Theme 2), and it evolves in a sociohistorical context (Theme 3). Themes related to psychology’s subject matter: –Behavior is determined by multiple causes (Theme 4), shaped by cultural heritage (Theme 5), and influenced jointly by heredity and environment (Theme 6). Finally, people’s experience of the world is highly subjective (Theme 7).

Table of Contents Improving Academic Performance Time management – F 1.11 Assessment – F 1.12 Attendance and Grades – F Changing Answers – F 1.14 Belief and Behavior Effects – F 1.15 Critical Thinking – mental rotation task – F 1.16

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Psychology as a Profession

Psychologists Trained to observe, analyze, & evaluate behavior Doctorate degree in Psychology (PhD) Various subfields treat disorders

Psychiatrists Completes medical school Specializes in psychiatric medicine Medical Doctor (MD) Can prescribe medication Can perform operations

Clinical Psychologist Diagnoses & treats people with emotional disturbances Private practices, mental hospitals, prisons, clinics ½ of all psychologists are this type

Counseling Psychologist Helps people with everyday life problems (i.e. marriage counselor) Works in schools; large businesses

Developmental Psychologist Studies physical, emotional, cognitive, & social changes throughout life Children, elderly, adolescence, process of dying

Educational Psychologist Studies teaching methods Studies how students learn

Community Psychologist Works in mental health or social welfare agency

Industrial/Organizational Psychologist Studies ways to boost production and improve working conditions

Environmental Psychologist Studies effects of the environment on people Studies effects of natural disasters, overcrowding, and pollution

Psychobiologist Studies effects of drugs on the nervous system Uses new technology to identify physical reasons for behavioral or mental challenges

Forensic Psychologist Helps police develop personality profiles of criminals

Health Psychologist Studies links between physical and psychological health How stress can make you sick

Experimental Psychologist Studies sensation, perception, learning and motivation in carefully controlled laboratory conditions Provides the research of psychology