What’s it All About? Goals of Psychology Describe, Explain, Predict, and Control some behaviors

Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920) The “father of psychology” Opened the first psychology lab in 1879

E.B. Titchener (1867-1927) Student of Wundt- brought psych to US Analyzed the parts of consciousness Founder of structuralism Studied the basic elements of thoughts and sensations. Objective sensations (sight, taste) Subjective sensations (emotions, mental images)

The Many Faces of Psychology William James: Functionalism Interested in the functions of consciousness How mental processes help organisms adapt to their environment Believed that conscious memories were in a fluid stream of consciousness Adaptive behavior : learned and maintained based on successful experiences -Example: When Shaq practices free throws, his stats increase; thus Shaq practices more and becomes the leading free-throw shooter in the NBA .On the converse, less adaptive behaviors lead to negative consequences and are avoided -Example: A child touches a hot pan and burns his hand. He feels pain and does not repeat the same action

The Many Faces of Psychology Ivan Pavlov and John B. Watson: Behaviorism Pavlov Nobel Prize in 1905 for his work “classical conditioning” Watson: Scientific study of human behavior Believed that consciousness could only be explained by an individual, thus psychology must only study observable behavior Both were interested in behavior and its precise measurement rather than “consciousness” of Wundt and James

BF. Skinner Added to Behaviorism Believed that when an animal is reinforced or rewarded it is more likely to perform the same action again in the future Tested his theories on rats and pigeons Taught animals to climb ladders, push toys and even shoot baskets Believed that humans respond to reinforcement in the same way Believed that humans respond to reinforcement in the same way

What do you see?

Gestalt Max Wertheimer: Gestalt Psychology Interested in perception How do we make sense out of the world around us “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” Why do we see things the way we do? Believes that learning is active & meaningful

The Many Faces of Psychology Sigmund Freud: The Psychoanalytic School Established “psychoanalysis” in Austria Roots of psych problems were motives of the “unconscious” Believed that dreams and slips of the tongue show unconscious desires First to study patients through individual meetings; not just lab study Behavior is driven by unconscious desires—in order for people to see themselves as good people, they try to rationalize these desires

Developmental Psychologists studies human mental and physical growth from conception to death • child psychologists • adolescent psychologists • life-span psychologists

More Types of Psychology Physiological Psych investigates the biological basis of human behavior Personality Psych Personality psychologists study the differences among individuals.

Experimental or Academic Psych Conducts research on basic psychological processes, such as: perception cognition motivation emotion learning memory sensation

Clinical and Counseling Psychology Clinical psychologists are interested primarily in the diagnosis, cause, and treatment of psychological disorders. Counseling psychologists are concerned primarily with “normal” problems of adjustments in life. Often found in schools: Educational Psych

Social Psychology Social psychologists study how people influence one another.

Industrial & Organizational Psychology Psych in workplace selecting and training personnel improving productivity & working conditions

Psychological Perspectives Schools of thought To view behavior from a particular perspective Not conflicting, but complementary views

Cognitive Perspective Focus: On how people think and process information Behavior is explained by how a person interprets the situation

Biological Perspective Focus: How our biological structures and substances underlie a given behavior, thought, or emotion Behavior is explained by brain chemistry, genetics, glands, etc.

Social-Cultural Perspective Focus: How thinking and behavior change depending on the setting or situation Behavior is explained by the influence of other people present

Behavioral Perspective Focus: How we learn through rewards, punishments, and observation Behavior is explained by previous learning

Humanistic Perspective Focus: How healthy people strive to reach their full potential Behavior is explained as being motivated by satisfying needs (safety, hunger, thirst, etc.), with the goal of reaching one’s full potential once basic needs are met.

Psychodynamic Perspective Focus: How behavior is affected by unconscious drives and conflicts Behavior is explained through unconscious motivation and unresolved inner conflicts from one’s childhood.