Download Intro to Psychology

Psychology
Module 1
What is psychology?
• Psychology – The scientific
study of behavior and
mental processes
• Scientific research methods
are used to answer
questions about peoples
behavior
• Psychologists study both
observable, and
unobservable elements to
determine why people act
the way they do
When did Psychology begin?
• People have always been
trying to understand
other peoples behaviors
• Perspective- collection of
ideas that grows into a
movement.
Better question:
When did modern psychology begin?
• Modern Psychology –
the last 125 years of
study
• German philosopher
Wilhelm Wundt is known
as the “Father” of
Psychology
• In 1879, Wundt devoted
his laboratory to
psychological
experiments (in
Germany)
Structuralism
• E.B. (Edward Bradford)
Titchener, was a student of
Wundt
• Titchener introduced
Structuralism
• Structuralism – theory that
analyzed the basic
elements of thoughts and
sensations to determine
the structure of conscience
experience
• Structuralism would be a
building block for other
psychological systems
Gestalt Psychology
• Gestalt Psychology –
Psychological perspective
that emphasized our
tendency to integrate
pieces of information into
meaningful wholes
• Taking all the pieces and
putting it into a whole idea
• Gestalt in German means
“whole”
What do you see?
What do
you see
here?
Functionalism
• Functionalism – Theory
that emphasized the
functions of
consciousness and the
ways consciousness helps
people adapt to their
environment
• William James started
functionalism
• He was the first American
Psychologist
Sigmund Freud
• Austrian Physician
• Psychoanalysis
• Freud’s theory differed
from others in two ways
1. It focused on abnormal
behavior, attributed to
unconscious drives and
conflicts, stemming from
childhood
2. It relied on personal
observations, and not
controlled lab experiments
Freud Cont’d
• Freud’s work was not
scientific because it
was based on self
reported reflections,
not scientific methods
to gather research
• Freud died in 1939
• The idea that our
unconscious thoughts,
inner conflicts, and
childhood experiences
affect our behavior
and personality, is still
accepted by some
John B. Watson
• Started Behaviorism
• Focused solely on
observable and objectively
describable acts
• Today, behaviorism focuses
on learning through
rewards and observation
Maslow & Rogers
• Humanistic psychologists
who emphasized the
conscious experience
• Said humans have free
will in their decision
making and are not
controlled by series of
rewards
Piaget
• Swiss psychologist
• Known for his work about how
children develop their thinking
abilities
New Areas of Psychology
Behavior Genetics – thought
that focuses on how much our
genes and our environment
influence our individual
differences
This is a combination of
behaviorism and genetics. Is
there a gene that specifically
control certain actions. What is
inherited?
Evolutionary Psychology –
combines biological, and social
aspects while studying
behaviors that helped our
ancestors provide
New Areas
Positive Psychology –
Movement that
focuses on the study
of optimal human
functioning and the
factors that allow
individuals and
communities to thrive.
Suggest focusing on
improving the positive
things in life rather
than repair the worst
thing.
Careers in Psychology
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists
represent more than half of all psychologists
They will diagnose and treat people with
disorders.
Academic Psychologists work at universities
doing research
Basic Research – Science aiming to
increase the scientific knowledge base
Applied Research – Scientific study aiming
to solve practical problems
Careers in Psychology cont’d
-Industrial and organizational
psychologists help businesses
and companies run more
efficiently and promote a better
work environment.
-Lots of companies today
either have full-time
psychologists or hire
consultants to come in and
assess their workplace.
About 4% of people become
school psychologists.
When it doubt, keep it simple