Why do we study psychology?
• Physiological-body and physical
processes, cognitive-thinking and mental
processes.
• Gain Insight into behavior- why
someone behaves the way they do.
• Acquire practical information-how to
change or shape behavior by using
consequences, increasing memory with
mnemonics, etc.
Goals of Psychology
Describe behavior and gather information
• Explain behavior using hypothesis/educated
guess or theories based on a large number of
experimental studies.
• Predict behavior
• Influence behavior using
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Basic Science- research
Applied Science- ways of using research in
daily life
Scientific Basis of Psychology
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Scientific method- data obtained
through experiments, surveys,
interviews and case studies
Question/Problem, data, hypothesis,
experiment/test, conclusion and
theory.
Wundt- first Psychology lab
Brief History of Psychology
• Origins of Psychology
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Greek Philosophers/Socrates- the mind is in
the heart, tabula rasa/ the mind is a blank slate at
birth, and the first theories of personality
Copernicus and Galileo- used
experimentation through observation
Rene Descartes- refuted dualism stating the
interaction between the mind and body.
Historical Approaches
 1879 Wilhelm Wundt- experimented on
sensations and perception using (introspection)
where participants reported their own thoughts and
feelings
 Functionalism- William James, who is considered
the father of American Psychology. He focused on
the functions and purposes of the conscious mind,
and how thinking helps and organism adapt to the
environment. Mary Calkins was the first female PhD
in psychology and APA president.
(cont.)
• Galton- stated the idea that heredity is the
most important factor over the
environment.
• Gestalt Psychology- (Wertheimer, Kohler and
Koffa). Perception is more than the sum of its
parts. Look at the whole first.
Contemporary Approaches
 1. Psychoanalytic Psychology
 Sigmund Freud (1856-1939)
 interested in the unconscious mind; believed that our
conscious experiences are only the beginning of our
behaviors;
 our unconscious motivations and conflicts are
responsible for more human behavior
 Used a method known as Free Association – patient said what came
to mind no matter how absurd or irrelevant it seemed
 Freud’s role of psychoanalyst was to listen and interpret the
associations; he believed that this revealed the unconscious
processes
 Also thought dreams were expressions of unconscious urges
 Many modern psychoanalysts still use free association today
 2. Behavioral Psychology
 Russian physiologist IVAN PAVLOV
 Experiment of ringing a tuning fork each time he gave a dog some
meat powder and the dog would salivate; repeated several times;
soon the dog would salivate just hearing the ring without any food
 Psychologists used this experiment to as a tool to help explain that
some behavior is a result of prior experiences
Behaviorists stress investigating
observable behavior
John B. Watson said they should concern
themselves with observable facts; behavior
is a result of conditioning and occurs when
that appropriate stimulus is present
B.F. Skinner introduced the concept of
reinforcement – response to behavior that
increase the likelihood the behavior will be
repeated
Wrote: Walden Two in which he portrayed
his idea of Utopia – a small town in which
conditioning, through rewarding those who
display good behavior, rules everything
 3. Humanistic Psychology
 Developed as a reaction to behaviorists
 Abraham Maslow, Carl Rogers and Rollo May described nature as
evolving and self-directed
 Does not think people are controlled by events in the environment
or by unconscious forces
 They feel that each person is unique and has a self-concept to
develop fully
 4. Cognitive Psychology
 Jean Piaget, Noam Chomsky, Leon Festinger – cognitivists who
focus on how we process, store and use information and how this
information influences our thinking, language, problem solving and
creativity
 Behavior is influenced by a variety of mental processes, including
perceptions, memories and expectations
 5. Biological Psychology
 Study the brain, nervouse system, hormones and genetics and their
influence on our behavior; use PET and CAT Scans
 Behavior is the result of our physiological makeup
 6. Sociocultural Psychology
 Studying the influence of cultural and ethnic similarities and
differences on behavior and social functioning
 Look at immigration, gender, socioeconomic status, cultural taboos
and norms
Psychology as a Profession
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Psychologist- studies the mind and behavior of
organisms
Specialty fields
• Clinical and counseling- most popular, deal with
emotions and problems. ½ of all psychologists
working in offices, hospitals, clinics and prisons
• Psychiatry- MD, working with disturbed behavior.
• Development Psychology- study physical,
emotional, cognitive and social changes throughout
life.
• Educational Psychology- teaching, intelligence,
memory, learning and motivation.
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Community psychology- mental health and social
welfare.
Industrial Psychology- business and government
agencies to boost production, work conditions, placement
and accidents.
Environmental Psychology- environmental effects at
home, work, inside and outside.
Psychobiologists- electrical, chemical and
pharmacological effects on the nervous system.
Forensic psychology- legal, court and correctional
facilities.
Health Psychology- interactions of the physical and
psychological.
Experimental Psychology- supply research, testing
and information (basic science)
Forensic psychology- legal, court and
correctional facilities.
• Health Psychology- interactions of the
physical and psychological.
• Experimental Psychology- supply
research, testing and information (basic
science)
 APA founded in 1892.
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