#1 Warm UP: What is Psychology? What is your definition? How would you define it? Write it out. Then we will share it & improve the definition. What is Psychology? Psyche – meaning the soul Logos – referring to the study of a subject “The study of the mind.” Has a foundation in philosophy & physiology Psychology is defined as the scientific study of the behavior of individuals & their mental processes. UNIT 1 - History/Evolution of Psychology The Evolution of Psychology From Speculation to Science: How Psychology Developed Psychology Today: Vigorous & Diversified Have you ever wondered … Why do I like the people, food, or music that I like? Or, why do I NOT like certain things or have an irrational fear of certain things, like spiders, heights, or public speaking? Why do I feel a sudden boost in mood when my favorite song comes on the radio? Why did I cheat on my test… my diet, my boyfriend or my girlfriend? Why do I get so tired or maybe bored in a certain class? (of course not in psychology though) Or… Have you ever wondered? Are first-born children more driven to achieve? Only children? The middle child? Does handwriting offer any clues to my personality? Do my dreams really mean anything? Does hypnosis really work? Why my family or my relationships look so dysfunctional at times and what to do about it? What is Psychology? • Psychology is the scientific study of behavior and mental processes – Mental processes: Internal, subjective experiences we infer from behavior • Examples: thoughts, dreams, perceptions, sensations, beliefs or feelings – Behavior: Anything an organism does. Behavior is observable • Examples: smiling, yelling blinking, sweating talking • Goals of Psychology – – – – Observe Describe Predict Control/Influence • Basic • Applied How does Psychology relate to Science? • Psychology is a social science, but still a SCIENCE – Psychologists use the scientific method – Scientific Method: Process of gaining knowledge by identifying problems, forming hypothesis, and then testing hypothesis with observation, experimentation and analysis Why Study Psychology? • Application to everyday life • Gain insight into behavior (yours and others) Big Issues in Psychology Stability vs. Change Rationality vs. Irrationality Nature vs. Nurture Stability vs. Change Do we change over time in distinct and universal stages or do we basically remain the same drooling, slobbering, simple beings of our beginnings? Do these things change? Personality traits, sense of humor, tastes, etc… Can a shy child become the teenage class clown? Do we become adults or are we always just big kids? Do our personalities change in different situations? Rationality vs. Irrationality Are we wise or not? Why do we do things that are bad for us when we know they are bad? We screw up, we make mistakes, and we lose sight of good judgment But, we often don’t change behavior, we don’t seem rational Nature vs. Nurture Am I the way I am because I was born that way or because of my surroundings? Biology (genes) vs. Experience Can I ever be like these people, or does nature give me limitations? History of Psychology • Although the science of psychology started in the late 1800’s, the concept has been around a lot longer. • There was evidence of trephination (cutting holes into a skull to let evil spirits out) back in the stone age. It was like a bad SAW movie!!!! Psychology hopes to predict & control human behavior. But, it does so within different approaches. There is not a single agreed upon method. Pre-Scientific Psychology How are ideas formed? Some Ideas are Inborn: Socrates & Plato The Mind is a Blank Slate: Aristotle & Locke What are the Origins of Psychology? • Greek Philosophers – Socrates and Plato first conceive the mind as separate and distinct from the body • Enlightenment Philosophers – Rene Descartes: early ideas of the nervous system and natural instincts in the physical world. – John Locke develops Blank Slate Theory: men are shaped by experience, not predisposition – Locke and Francis Bacon came up with empiricism • Empiricism: idea that knowledge and science should rely on observation and experimentation YouTube: Psych 101 -- Modern Roots of Psychology History of Psychology Phrenology – Examining bumps on the skull to determine intellect and character traits (19th century) Past attempts at understanding human behavior (weird or not) have led to what we know today and shaped the current Approaches to Psychology STOP Waves of Psychology • The science of psychology has gone through waves since it started. • Waves are different ways of thinking over time. Structuralism & Introspection Kickin’ it old school •Started with William Wundt’s first psychological laboratory and his concept of introspection (structuralism). (1832-1920) **Father of Psychology Structuralism: Identify the parts that make up consciousness & the mind ★ Declared psychology should be a ‘science’ ★ Used empirical methods ★ Focus for Wundt – consciousness (awareness of immediate experience) ★ Wundt: Tremendous following- N. These guys were considered hot, back in the day!!!! Functionalism - “Kickin it old school” William James (1842-1910) “1st American Psychologist” Wrote: “The Principles of Psychology” & discussed functionalism. Criticized Wundt’s ideas for being too narrow. Influenced by Darwin, interested in understanding how consciousness (like thoughts and feelings) functioned to help people adapt to their environments. Structuralism vs. Functionalism Structuralism – task of psychology is to analyze consciousness into its basic elements & how they relate. (Titchener continued Wundt's Work) Dependent on introspection – careful, systematic self-observation of one’s own conscious experience. Favored lab experiments Functionalism – psychology should investigate the function or purpose of consciousness, rather than its structure. (James) Influenced by Charles Darwin’s natural selection – heritable characteristics that provide a survival or reproductive advantage are more likely than alternative characteristics to be passed on to subsequent generations and thus come to be “selected” over time. Edward Titchener Favored how people adapt to real world situations Generally thought that functionalism won out and then spawned the more modern – Applied Psychology & Behaviorism William James Psych as a Science: Modern Era Evolutionary Psychology Examines psychological traits such as memory, perception, and language from a modern evolutionary perspective. Seeks to identify which human psychological traits are evolved adaptations – that is, the functional products of natural selection or sexual selection. Argue that much of human behavior is the output of psychological adaptations that evolved to solve recurrent problems in human ancestral environments. The adaptationist approach is steadily increasing as an influence in the general field of psychology. Psych as a Science: Gestalt Psychology “The whole is greater/different than the sum of its parts.” Max Wertheimer revolted against Wundt. (1923) Believed consciousness was best understood by observing the whole experience, rather than breaking it down into a cluster of component elements. We will see much more of this in the next unit when we study Sensation & Perception. Gestalt Example When you look at a chair, you don’t see a flat surface and metal bars. You see the chair as a whole. Psych as a Science: Modern Era - Psychoanalysis 1st to focus on abnormal behaviors Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) Psychoanalysis ★ Believed all behavior & mental processes are directed by unconscious forces: which we are not fully aware. ★ Problems arise from unresolved conflict in the unconscious mind. Used Free Association & Dream Analysis to explore the unconscious. Freud’s ideas were (and still are) controversial, yet have had a great influence on the field of psychology & popular interest. We will see much more of this in when we study Personality soon. Behaviorism • During this time period (early to mid 1900s), people started to ignore how you feel inside. • All that mattered was how you acted. • If you they could change your behavior, who cares how you feel. • Very popular during the conservative 1950’s when social appearance mattered more than self expression. Psych as a Science: Modern Era Behaviorism John B. Watson (1878-1958) takes the focus on behaviors to another level. Scientific psychology should study only observable behavior. Proposed abandoning the study of consciousness altogether Focus on Observed behaviors: any overt/observable response or activity by an organism Watson also shined a light on nature versus nurture Behaviorists look for stimulus – any detectable input from the environment. Behavior approach is often referred to as (SR) Stimulus-Response Psych as a Science: Modern Era Behaviorism B.F. Skinner (1904-1990) - Championed a return to the Watson strict focus on observable behaviors Organisms tend to repeat responses that lead to positive outcomes & they tend not to repeat responses that lead to neutral or negative outcomes. Working with lab rats & pigeons, he conducted experiments to show how he could control behaviors of the animals. **Trained pigeons to play Ping-Pong!** Wrote Beyond Freedom and Dignity (1971) – asserted that all behavior is fully governed by external stimuli. People are controlled by their environment, not by themselves. Free Will is an Illusion? Skinner is often thought to be the most or one of the most influential contributors to psychology. **much more on behaviorism in the chapter on “Learning.” Psych as a Science: Modern Era Biological Approach To understand human behavior, the physiological underpinnings must be understood. Neuroscientific Perspective: Cellular, Neuron, Brain & Central Nervous System Role of drugs, Use animal models as means to understand human behavior. How are messages relayed throughout the body? What role do our senses play? Endocrine system – glands, hormones The Fight or Flight Response is an example. Cognitive Perspective • Focuses on how we think (or encode information) • How do we see the world? • How did we learn to act to sad or happy events? • Cognitive Therapist attempt to change the way you think. You meet a girl… Hopes are high!!! She rejects you…don’t even get digits. How do you react to the rejection? Some learned get back on Some learned to give up the horse and live a lonely life of And try again. solitude. Psych as a Science: Modern Era Humanism 1950s opposition to behaviorism and psychoanalytic theory Humanism – theoretical orientation that emphasizes the unique qualities of humans, especially their freedom and their potential for personal growth. More optimistic view of human nature. Carl Rogers (1902-1987) & Abraham Maslow (19081970) – prominent humanists in psychology Psych as a Science: Modern Era Humanism People are goal related & driven Self-actualization: someone who has reached his or her own unique potential. (Maslow) Free will & motivation – We are in complete control In therapy, attempt to help individuals see the misconceptions they hold in their subjective view of reality. If those views are corrected, the individual will feel better about themselves. Psych as a Science: Modern Era - SocioCultural Focuses on the diversity of the human experience ★ Context (developmental) ★ Influence of groups (social) ★ Applied aspect (forensic psychology) Human behavior does not occur in a vacuum & groups, cultures, and situations all have impact on human behavior. Behavior can be predicted by the presence or absence of another person. YouTube: Schallhorn on Psychology Approaches Growth of Psychology The Wars of the 20th Century (WWI, WWII, Vietnam, Korea, etc.) created a huge demand for mental testing of military recruits. 1950s & 60s saw advances in study of cognition led to renewal of interest in mental processes. 1980s saw a growth in cultural factors influencing behavior. Trend sparked by growing global interdependence & cultural diversity. 1990s witnessed emergence of new theoretical perspective called evolutionary psychology. Patterns of behavior are the product of evolutionary forces & natural selection favors behaviors that enhance reproductive success. 2000s saw the emergence of “Positive Psychology” the study of the strengths and virtues that enable individuals & communities to thrive. It is the psychology of positive human functioning, which achieves scientific understanding to find a fulfilling life. Psychology Today: Vigorous & Diversified Psychology – the science that studies behavior & the physiological & cognitive processes that underlie it. It is the profession that applies the accumulated knowledge of this science to practical problems. Contemporary psychology is multifaceted & spread throughout mainstream society that has seen rapid growth. Approaches to Psychology Group Skit • Each group will be assigned one of the approaches we discussed. • You groups will need to develop a skit to demonstrate the approach. **You can read more about each approach in the textbook!! **Everyone in the group must be involved in the skit!