The Early History and Scope of Psychology

Define Psychology The science of behavior and mental processes

Early History (around 387 B.C.) Socrates, and his student Plato (Greek Philosophers) –The mind and the body are two separate entities, and do not influence each other.

Socrates, and Plato believed that: Human behavior and knowledge is pre-disposed and genetically built-in (Nature). IE. If you are intelligent, you were born with a smart brain. If you are athletic, you were born with strong muscles and balance. If you are violent, depressed, or forgetful, you were born with a brain disorder.

Aristotle (335 B.C.) The mind and the body are inseparable and each influences the other with regards to behavior.

Aristotle (Greek Philosopher) Human behavior and knowledge is not preexisting; it grows from the experiences stored in our memories (Nurture). IE. You are violent because you watched it on television. You are smart because you studied. You are kind because you were loved.

Rene Descartes (French Philosopher) (1600s) The body and the mind are separate entities, though they do interact and communicate through the “spirits” of the brain, and the “passages” of the body. Knowledge is inborn as well. Early dissections led to the early understanding of mind/body connections (biological psychology).

John Locke (British Philosopher) Tabula rasa (Empiricism) – literally means “blank slate” Theory: the mind is at birth a "blank slate" without rules for processing data, and that data is added and processed based solely by our sensory experiences. It also emphasized the individual's freedom to author his or her own soul. 1600s

IE. There are no inherited notions regarding the world. Therefore, my decision to drink or not to drink is based solely on my sensory experience of the taste and effects of a glass of wine, not my parent’s alcoholism. My grades in school and my professional goals are based on my study and work habits, not my parent’s idiocy.

Stressed the scientific principles of observation and experimentation when evaluating human behavior Francis Bacon (English Scientist) 1600s

1879 establishes the first psychology laboratory at the University of Leipzig, Germany. This is generally considered the starting point of Psychology as a science. Wilhelm Wundt

Psychology Comes to America G. Stanley Hall ( ) –A student of Wundt –Establishes 1 st American laboratory at Johns Hopkins (1883) –Founded 1 st American Psych. journal (1887) –Founded American Psychological Association- APA –Founded American Psychological Association- APA (1892)

Edward TitchenerEdward Titchener (Structuralism) A student of Wundt Measured and compared individuals perceptions of smells, sights, memories, etc., Introspection Provides direct contact with the mind. 1880s

Structuralists break human experiences down into their smallest parts in order to understand the entire behavior.

William JamesWilliam James (turn of the century) (Functionalism) functionsFocused on the physical functions of the brain and the body, and how they worked together Also, reintroduced the Darwinist theory of human evolution, and that body and brain functions evolved as humans learned about and experienced the world

Psychoanalytic Perspective Psychoanalysts believe that the unconscious mind (a part of our mind that we do not have conscious control over or access to) controls much or our thought and action. –Sigmund Freud

IE. An introverted person avoids social situations because of a repressed memory of trauma in childhood involving an acutely embarrassing experience at a party.

Behavioral Perspective Behavioral psychologists explain human thought and behavior by looking strictly at observable behaviors and what reaction organisms get in response to specific behaviors. –Ivan Pavlov, John Watson, B.F. Skinner

IE. An introverted person may be withdrawn and shy because they are punished for speaking at home. An extrovert may get monetary rewards for garnering attention.

Humanistic Perspective Humanists believe that we choose most of our behaviors and these choices are guided by physiological, emotional, or spiritual needs. Humanists stress free will and individual choice. –Abraham Maslow and Carl Rogers

IE. An introverted person chooses to limit social contact with others because he or she finds that social needs are better satisfied by contact with a few close friends rather than large groups.

Biopsychology (Neuroscience) Biopsychologists explain human behavior in terms of biological processes, including genetics, hormones, and brain (dys)functions.

IE. An introverted person may lack a certain gene for sociability, or an extroverted person may be producing an overabundance of a particular hormone. There may be a dysfunctional frontal lobe.

Evolutionary Perspective Evolutionary psychologists (sociobiologists) examine human behavior in terms of natural selection and survival traits. –Charles Darwin

IE. An extroverted person carries a social genetic trait based upon the need to make friends or allies, thus increasing their chances of survival. An introverted person may have a genetic quality that precludes isolation as a way to avoid predators, thus increasing their chances for survival.

Cognitive Perspective Cognitive psychologists explain human behavior in terms of how we interpret, process, and remember environmental events. How we view the world plays a big role in what we do! w Stimulus Mental process Behavior

IE. An introvert does not socialize much because they interpret friendship as pity, or whispered conversations as criticism. An extrovert may think that the world is a happy and safe place, and therefore all people are potential friends.

Social-Cultural Perspective emphasize the influence of groups and culture on the way that we think and act. Sociocultural psychologists:

IE. An female introvert lives in a society where women are not allowed to talk, vote, or own land. An extrovert lives in a society where gluttony and extravagance is encouraged.

Fields in Psychology What do people do with a degree in Psychology? …what can I do with a degree in Psychology?

Fields in Psychology Applied v. Basic Psychology: –Applied refers to practical and interactive psychology. –the use of psychological principles and theories to overcome problems in other areaspsychological –Basic refers mainly to the research fields of psychology.

Therapy Mental and physical rehabilitation regarding mental disorders. Can include medications, in/out patient services, counseling, etc.

School Assisting school-aged children, adolescence issues, counseling, etc.

Clinical Diagnosis and treatment of troubled people. Career, marriage, stress counseling.

Industrial/Organizational Productivity, job stress, motivation, automation. Practical issues of selecting and training a workforce

Forensic Psychology Provide advice to legislators, judges, correctional officers, lawyers and the police Called upon, for example, to serve as an expert witness, diagnose and treat incarcerated and probation offenders; and screen and evaluate personnel in the law enforcement and judicial systems

Sports Psychology Issues and techniques of sport-specific psychological assessment and mental skills Goal-setting, visualization and performance planning, self-confidence, eating disorders, overtraining and burnout counseling, team building, sportsmanship

Developmental Study mental and physical growth from prenatal through childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and into old age.

Social Study how people influence each others attitudes, prejudices, norms, interpersonal attractions, etc.

Cognitive Experiment with how we perceive, think, and solve problems

Experimental Conduct research on learning, memory, sensation, perception, cognition, motivation, etc.

Major Research Areas pie chart

Careers in Psychology: Percentage of Psychology Degrees by Specialty

Current Perspectives in Psychology

Woman and Minorities Few woman and minorities in early 1900’s Women  Margaret Floy Washburn - first PhD Mary Calkins - first president of APA - Currently woman get about 70% of PhD’s African Americans  Francis Sumner - first PhD in Kenneth B. Clark- first PhD from Colombia in brown vs. white doll study - helped with desegregation of public schools

What is the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist?

Psychology v. Psychiatry Psychiatry is the study of mental disorders. Psychiatrists are medical doctors and can prescribe medications to treat the physical and mental causes of psychological disorders.