Name: _____________________ Period: _______
Learning Targets: History and Approaches (2–4%)
Psychology has evolved markedly since its inception as a discipline in 1879. There have been
significant changes in the theories that psychologists use to explain behavior and mental
processes. In addition, the methodology of psychological research has expanded to include a
diversity of approaches to data gathering.
AP students in psychology should be able to do the following:
• Recognize how philosophical perspectives shaped the development of
psychological thought.
• Describe and compare different theoretical approaches in explaining behavior:
— structuralism, functionalism, and behaviorism in the early years;
— Gestalt, psychoanalytic/psychodynamic, and humanism emerging later;
— evolutionary, biological, and cognitive as more contemporary approaches.
• Recognize the strengths and limitations of applying theories to explain behavior.
• Distinguish the different domains of psychology:
— biological, clinical, cognitive, counseling, developmental, educational,
experimental, human factors, industrial–organizational, personality,
psychometric, and social.
• Identify the major historical figures in psychology (e.g., Mary Whiton Calkins,
Charles Darwin, Dorothea Dix, Sigmund Freud, G. Stanley Hall, William James,
Ivan Pavlov, Jean Piaget, Carl Rogers, B. F. Skinner, Margaret Floy Washburn,
John B. Watson, Wilhelm Wundt).
Chapter 1: History and Approaches – Notes Summary
Lesson One:
Psychology –
Behavior –
Mental Process –
Systematic Study –
In Class Question: How and why do psychologists study both behaviors and mental processes to
help treat patients? (Use class information and the excerpt below to help you answer the question)
Psychologists study mental processes and human behavior by observing, interpreting, and recording how
people and other animals relate to one another and the environment. To do this, psychologists often look for
patterns that will help them understand and predict behavior using scientific methods, principles, or
procedures to test their ideas. Through such research studies, psychologists have learned much that can help
increase understanding between individuals, groups, organizations, institutions, nations, and cultures.
Hippocrates
Nature –
Nurture -
Plato
Aristotle
John Locke
Rene Descartes
In Class Question: After learning about the Nature vs. Nurture Controversy AND reading the
excerpt below, do you feel that behavior is inborn or learned through experience? What do you
base your opinion upon?
When a person achieves tremendous academic success, did they do so because they are genetically predisposed to
be successful or is it a result of an enriched environment? If a man abuses his wife and kids, is it because he was
born with violent tendencies or is it something he learned by observing his own parents behavior?
A few examples of biologically determined characteristics (nature) include certain genetic diseases, eye color, hair
color, and skin color. Other things like life expectancy and height have a strong biological component, but they are
also influenced by environmental factors and lifestyle.
An example of a nativist theory within psychology is Chomsky's concept of a language acquisition device (or LAD).
According to this theory, all children are born with an instinctive mental capacity that allows them to both learn
and produce language.
A number of characteristics are tied to environmental influences. How a person behaves can be tied to influence
such as parenting styles and learned experiences. For example, a child might learn through observation and
reinforcement to say 'please' and 'thank you.' Another child might learn to behave aggressively by observing older
children engage in violent behavior on the playground.
One example of an empiricist theory within psychology is Albert Bandura's social learning theory. According to theory,
people learn by observing the behavior of others.
Lesson Two:
In Class Question: Using the excerpt below, provide three important contributions of Wilhelm
Wundt.
1.
2.
3.
Wilhelm Wundt opened the Institute for Experimental Psychology at the University of Leipzig in Germany in 1879. This
was the first laboratory dedicated to psychology, and its opening is usually thought of as the beginning of modern
psychology. Indeed, Wundt is often regarded as the father of psychology.
Wundt was important because he separated psychology from philosophy by analyzing the workings of the mind in a
more structured way, with the emphasis being on objective measurement and control.
This laboratory became a focus for those with a serious interest in psychology, first for German philosophers and
psychology students, then for American and British students as well. All subsequent psychological laboratories were
closely modeled in their early years on the Wundt model.
Wundt's background was in physiology, and this was reflected in the topics with which the Institute was concerned,
such as the study of reaction times and sensory processes and attention. For example, participants would be exposed
to a standard stimulus (e.g. a light or the sound of a metronome) and asked to report their sensations.
Wundt's aim was to record thoughts and sensations, and to analyze them into their constituent elements, in much the
same way as chemist analyses chemical compounds, in order to get at the underlying structure. The school of
psychology founded by Wundt is known as voluntarism, the processing of organizing the mind.
During his academic career Wundt trained 186 graduate students (116 in psychology). This is significant as it helped
disseminate his work. Indeed, parts of Wundt's theory were developed and promoted by his one-time student, Edward
Titchener, who described his system as Structuralism, or the analysis of the basic elements that constitute the mind.
Wundt wanted to study the structure of the human mind (using introspection).Wundt believed in reductionism. That is
he believed consciousness could be broken down (or reduced) to its basic elements without sacrificing any of the
properties of the whole.
Wundt argued that conscious mental states could be scientifically studied using introspection. Wundt’s introspection
was not a causal affair but a highly practiced form of self-examination. He trained psychology students to make
observations that were biased by personal interpretation or previous experience, and used the results to develop a
theory of conscious thought.
Highly trained assistants would be given a stimulus such as a ticking metronome and would reflect on the experience.
They would report what the stimulus made them think and feel. The same stimulus, physical surroundings and
instructions were given to each person.
Wundt's method of introspection did not remain a fundamental tool of psychological experimentation past the early
1920's. His greatest contribution was to show that psychology could be a valid experimental science.
Therefore, one way Wundt contributed to the development of psychology was to do his research in carefully controlled
conditions, i.e. experimental methods. This encouraged other researchers such as the behaviorists to follow the same
experimental approach and be more scientific. However, today psychologists (e.g. Skinner) argue that introspection
was not really scientific even if the methods used to introspect were. Skinner claims the results of introspection are
subjective and cannot be verified because only observable behavior can be objectively measured.
Wundt concentrated on three areas of mental functioning; thoughts, images and feelings. These are the basic areas
studied today in cognitive psychology. This means that the study of perceptual processes can be traced back to
Wundt. Wundt’s work stimulated interest in cognitive psychology.
On the basis of his work, and the influence it had on psychologists who were to follow him, Wundt can be regarded
as the founder of experimental psychology, so securing his place in the history of psychology. At the same time,
Wundt himself believed that the experimental approach was limited in scope, and that other methods would be
necessary if all aspects of human psychology were to be investigated.
Key Psychologist
Main Accomplishments / Ideas
Wilhelm Wundt
School of Structuralism -
William James
School of Functionalism -
Max Wertheimer
Gestalt Psychology -
In Class Question: How does the quote below by William James exemplify his view of
functionalism?
Consciousness, then, does not appear to itself chopped up in bits. Such words as 'chain' or 'train'
do not describe it fitly as it presents itself in the first instance. It is nothing jointed; it flows. A
'river' or a 'stream' are the metaphors by which it is most naturally described. In talking of it
hereafter, let us call it the stream of thought, of consciousness, or of subjective life.
-William James – Stream of Consciousness - 1892
Eight Approaches to Psychology
Approach to
Psychology
Behavioral
Psychoanalytic /
Psychodynamic
Humanistic
Biological
Cognitive
Evolutionary
BIG IDEA
Key
Psychologist/Researchers
(some may not have one)
Socio-Cultural
Eclectic
Homework Question: After learning about the above eight approaches to psychology, discuss an
approach you agree with most and then discuss an approach that you disagree with most.
Agree –
Disagree -
Why did you select each of your two choices?
Lesson Three:
In Class Assignment: Subfields of Psychology
There are many subfields of psychology. These subfields can be choices that psychology
graduates can decide upon after they have secured enough schooling in their field. You may have
seen a psychologist in action on television. (think Dr. Sweets from Bones or Dr. Phil) Explore the
myriad of subfields below.
Task: Choose any FIVE subfields of psychology (using the attached materials) and provide a job
description of the subfield and describe why this job would be helpful in the workplace, school, etc.
Also, have you seen this subfield in any form of media (movies, tv shows, etc.)?
1.
Job Description -
Why this job would be helpful –
Have you seen this subfield in the media? How was the person portrayed?
2.
Job Description -
Why this job would be helpful –
Have you seen this subfield in the media? How was the person portrayed?
3.
Job Description -
Why this job would be helpful –
Have you seen this subfield in the media? How was the person portrayed?
4.
Job Description -
Why this job would be helpful –
Have you seen this subfield in the media? How was the person portrayed?
5.
Job Description -
Why this job would be helpful –
Have you seen this subfield in the media? How was the person portrayed?
Subfields of Psychology
The study and practice of psychology encompasses a vast range of topics and a large number of subfields and
specialty areas have developed as a result. Because human behavior is so varied, the number of subfields in
psychology is constantly growing and evolving.
Psychology can be roughly divided into two major sections: research, which seeks to increase our knowledge base,
and practice, through which our knowledge is applied to solving problems in the real world.
Because psychology touches on a number of other subjects including biology, philosophy, anthropology, and
sociology, new areas of research and practice are continually forming. Some of these subfields have been firmly
established as areas of interest, and many colleges and universities offer courses and degree programs in these
topics.
Biopsychology

This area of psychology is known by a number of titles including behavioral neuroscience, psychobiology, and
neuropsychology.

Bio-psychologists study the relationship between the brain and behavior, such as how the brain and nervous
system impact our thoughts, feeling, and moods.

This field can be thought of as a combination of basic psychology and neuroscience.
Clinical Psychology

Clinical psychology is the largest specialty area in psychology.

These psychologists apply psychological principles and research to assess, diagnose, and treat patients with
mental and emotional illnesses.

Clinicians often work in private practices, but many also work in community centers or at universities and
colleges.
Developmental Psychology

Developmental psychologists study the physical and cognitive development that occurs over the course of the
lifespan.

These psychologists generally specialize in an area such as infant, child, adolescent, or geriatric development,
while others may study the effects of developmental delays.
Forensic Psychology

Forensic psychologists apply psychological principles to legal issues. This may involve studying criminal
behavior and treatments, or working directly in the court system.

Forensic psychologists often conduct evaluations, screen witnesses, or provide testimony in court cases.
Industrial-Organizational Psychology

Psychologists in this field apply psychological principles to research on workplace issues such as productivity
and behavior.

Some psychologists in this field work in areas such as human factors, ergonomics, and human-computer
interaction.

Research in this field is known as applied research because it seeks to solve real world problems.
Personality Psychology

Personality psychologists study the characteristic patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behavior that make each
person unique.

These psychologists often work in academic settings as instructors or researchers.
Social Psychology

Social psychologists study social behaviors, including how individual self-image and behavior is impacted by
interactions with others.

These psychologists often conduct research in academic settings, but others work in such areas such as
advertising and government.
School Psychology

School psychologists work within the educational system to help children with emotional, social, and academic
issues.

These psychologists collaborate with teachers, parents, and students to find solutions to academic, social, and
emotional problems.

Most school psychologists work in elementary and secondary schools, but others work in private clinics,
hospitals, state agencies, and universities. Some go into private practice and serve as consultants, especially those
with a doctoral degree in school psychology.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Homework Question: Which of the above subfields of psychology would you be potentially
interested in pursuing? Write a short paragraph describing your thoughts.