Introduction, History, The Six Psychological Perspectives

Psychology The scientific study of behavior and mental processes. Uses scientific research methods. Behavior includes all observable behavior. Mental processes include thoughts, feelings and dreams.

Modern Psychology’s Roots

Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920) “father of psychology” founder of modern psychology opened the first psychology lab in 1879

E.B. Titchener (1867-1927) founder of structuralism goal: understand the structure of conscious experience by analyzing its parts

Structuralism studied the basic elements (structure) of conscious experience

Gestalt Psychology the whole is different from the sum of its parts. integrate pieces of information into meaningful wholes.

William James (1842-1910) first American psychologist author of the first psychology textbook founder of Functionalism

Functionalism study the functions of consciousness: how consciousness helped people adapt to their environment

Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) founder of psychoanalytic perspective (personality) abnormal behavior originated from unconscious drives and childhood conflicts used personal observation & reflection instead of controlled lab experiments

Freud’s Influence Influence on “pop culture” freudian slips anal-retentive Influence on psychology: psychodynamic theory – modern version of Freud’s ideas importance of unconscious thoughts significance of childhood experiences

Ivan Pavlov (1849-1936) studied learning in animals Russian Physiologist studied learning in animals created an interest in the study of observable behaviors

John B. Watson (1878-1958) founder of behaviorism studied only observable and objectively describable acts emphasized objective and scientific methods

B.F. Skinner (1904-1990) Behaviorist Focused on learning through rewards and observation

Humanistic Psychology focus on conscious experience and individual’s free will healthy individuals strive to reach their potential humans are not solely controlled by rewards and reinforcements

Six Contemporary Psychological Perspectives

What’s a perspective? Method of classifying a collection of ideas Also called “schools of thought” Also called “psychological approaches” Don’t write this bullet: Example – Whether you help a student who has dropped their books in the hall. Why do some help when others don’t?

6 Contemporary Psychological Perspectives Focus Behavior is Explained by… Cognitive Biological Social-Cultural Behavioral Humanistic Psychodynamic

Cognitive Perspective Focus: how people think and process information Don’t write this bullet, just think about it (Forerunners – Structuralism, Functionalism, & Gestalt Psychology) behavior is explained by how a person interprets the situation

Biological Perspective Focus: how our biological structures and substances might cause a given behavior, thought, or emotion behavior is explained by brain chemistry & structure, genetics, hormones, 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 *review

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 after 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 modern version of psychoanalytic perspective (Freud’s ideas)

Psych Perspectives Group Activity Scenario: Fight Breaks out in the Cafeteria Task: Explain how each of the 6 Contemporary Psychological Perspectives would explain the aggressive behavior

Psych Perspectives: Self-Assessment Think about it…Now that you understand each of the Six Contemporary Psych Perspectives, with which one/s do you most identify? Task: Write your name on each of your post-it notes and stick them on the perspective/s you feel are most accurate.

Psychology’s Horizon – Major Subfields

Behavior Genetics Focus: how behavior is affected by genes and the environment combines biology and behaviorism emphasis on the importance of both genetic and environmental factors on behavior

Evolutionary Psychology combines aspects of biological, psychological, and social perspectives behavior is explained by how the behavior may have helped our ancestors survive long enough to reproduce successfully

Positive Psychology Focus: to study and promote optimal human functioning should promote building positive qualities of people rather than repairing the worst things in life

Careers in Psychology What do psychologists do? Module 1: Introduction, History, Perspectives, and Careers

Basic Research research that aims to increase the scientific knowledge base research for the sake of finding new information

Applied Research Aims to solve specific, practical problems rather than expanding the scientific knowledge base

Clinical Psychologist Diagnose and treat patients with psychological problems Largest number of professional psychologists

Homework Assignment Read the “Subfields in Psychology” Selection from the American Psychological Association’s website (www.apa.org) and complete the “Psychological Specializations” handout. Due Tuesday