1. The Field of Psychology

2.  Psychologists work in just about every setting you can imagine.  About 1/3 help people with personal problems.  Psychology is the scientific study of human and animal behavior.  These behaviors include the blink of an eye, sweating, thinking, attitudes, thoughts, physical and emotional changes……  A theory is a general framework or idea about the nature of something.

3.  Research Psychologists – study the origin, cause and results of certain behavior  (do research)  Applied Psychologists – make direct use of the findings of research psychologists; deal directly with clients  (apply the research)

4. Wilhelm Wundt Started the first human psychology lab in 1879 Called the “father of psychology” Tried to break down the human mind by having people describe sensations that got from objects they touched called introspection (process of looking into yourself and describing what is there) Sigmund Freud Austrian physician Developed on e of the first comprehensive theories of personalities Said we are influenced by things we aren’t aware of (unconscious) and our experiences in early childhood Most problems can be traced back to the first 5-6 years of childhood William James Philosopher, Harvard Professor Wrote an important psychology text One of the founders of American psychology Interested in how humans function and adapt to their environment John B. Watson One of the first American psychologists to study the impact of learning on human emotions Associated with “behaviorism” Said what we feel and do depends on connections and associations we have made Wrote a book on child rearing based on his ideas Charles Darwin (mid 1800’s) Theory suggested that animal studies might help us understand humans

5.  Whose work inspired scientists to study animals in an attempt to understand human beings better?  Who started the first laboratory for studying humans and is called the “father of psychology”?  Who published a very important and widely used textbook on psychology and was interested in how humans adapt to their environment?  Who wrote a book on child rearing to teach parents how to apply scientific learning principles in bringing up their children?

6.  Charles Darwin  Wilhelm Wundt  Sigmund Freud  William James  John B. Watson

7. Neurobiological Approach – Views behavior as the result of nervous system functions and biology Behavioral Approach – Views behavior as the product of learning and associations Early behaviorist – John B. Watson Recent Behaviorist (1904-1990) – B.F. Skinner Humanistic Approach – Believes people are basically good and capable of helping themselves We are in control of our own destiny Most famous humanist (1902-1987) – Carl Rogers Former minister who said that every human has the potential to ecome great in his or her way. We just need a little guidance.

8. Psychoanalytic Approach – Best known of all theories Sigmund Freud Views the individual as the product of unconscious impulses, especially sex and aggression Cognitive Approach – Most popular theory Emphasizes how humans use mental processes to handle problems or develop certain personality characteristics Focus is on thinking the brain can talk itself into (and out of) almost any belief or behavior Sociocultural Approach - Views behavior as strongly influenced by the rules and expectations of specific social groups or culture

9.  Six approaches are used today.  Most psychologists lean toward one approach but borrow here and there from other theories.  This individual, combined approach is called electicism (eclectic approach).

10.  Which approach in psychology emphasizes people’s potential?  Which analyzes internal sentences, thoughts?  Which focuses on learning?  Which analyzes our chemical make-up?  Which studies one’s ethnic background?  Which emphasizes sexual desires?

11.  Humanism  Cognitive  Behaviorism  Neurobiological  Sociocultural  Psychoanalysis