INTRODUCTION AND
HISTORY OF PSYCHOLOGY
Psychology 2013-2014
What is Psychology?
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Psychology is the scientific
study of behavior and
mental processes.
“Psychology” has its roots in
the Greek words of
“psyche,” or mind, and “ology,” or a field of study.”
What do we mean by behavior?
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Behavior is any action or reaction which causes a
human or animal to adapt to its environment.
Behavior can be overt=observable
Behavior can be covert=internal or hidden
Scientific Method
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The science of psychology
is based on objective,
verifiable evidence
obtained using the
scientific method.
What is Real Psychology & what is
Pseudopsychology?
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Pseudo-psychology is the phony or unscientific
psychology which pretends to be the real thing.
Pseudo-psychology produces confirmation/hindsight
bias
Led Zeplin?
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“Yes, there are two paths you can go by,
but in the long run there’s still time to change the
road you’re on.”
Now listen carefully..
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“Here’s to my sweet Satan,
the one whose little pathways
make me sad,
whose power is Satan.”
Psychology vs. Psychiatry
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Psychiatrists hold MDs and have specialized training
in the treatment of mental and behavioral problems.
Psychology is a much broader field which has many
different specialties.
Early History
Modern Psychology Rooted in History
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Modern psychology (post 1800’s)developed from
several conflicting ideas.
Wilhelm Wundt
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Wilhelm Wundt (Voont) widely considered the
father of psychology.
Wilhelm Wundt 1832-1929
John Watson- Behaviorism
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Watson argued that the science of psychology should only
deal with observable events: stimuli from the environment and
the organism’s response to that stimuli.
These psychologists thought of the mind as a black box which
could not be opened or understood.
Believed all behaviors are shaped by rewards & punishments.
Believed in the power of the situation/environment.
Quiz Show?
Sigmund Freud-Psychoanalysis
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Psychoanalysis is the brainchild of
Sigmund Freud and his followers.
Psychoanalysis said that mental
disorders resulted from conflicts
of the unconscious mind.
Freud thought that behavior came
from unconscious drives, conflicts
and experience that we may not
even have a memory of.
Sigmund Freud 1856-1939
Psychology Today

Psychology today arises from 6 main perspectives:
 Biological
 Cognitive
 Psychodynamic
 Behavioral
 Sociocultural
 Evolutionary
Easy way to remember…..
Trace your hand
Biological View:
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The biological view looks at how our physical make
up and the operation of our brains influence our
personality, preferences, behavior patterns, and
abilities.
Influence of Darwin
According to biological view, our behavior is a
result of heredity and environment.
Cognitive View
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According to the cognitive
view, our actions are a
direct result of the way we
process information from
our environment.
Think: senses.
Cognitions are thoughts,
expectations, perceptions
and memories
Psychodynamic View
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Psychodynamic psychology
suggests we are motivated by
irrational desires generated in
our unconscious minds.
Work of Sigmund Freud.
Think: violence, sex, horror!
Humanistic Psychology
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A viewpoint which emphasizes human ability, growth,
potential and free will.
It, however, emphasizes the positive side of human
nature. It has received a lot of criticism because it is
not highly “scientific.”
Behavioral View
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A viewpoint which finds the complete source of our
actions stem from our environment, rather than in
inner mental processes or conflict.
B.F. Skinner….rats.
 Can
you prove that you have a mind?
 Can
you feel your mind?
Sociocultural View
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This view emphasizes the importance of social
interaction, social learning and a cultural
perspective.
What is culture?
 Culture:
a complex blend of beliefs, customs, values and
traditions developed by a group of people and shared
with others in the same environment.
Cultural Relativity
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Behavior should be
judged by the
practices and values
of a particular culture.
Psychology’s newest frontier….
Positive Psychology
Martin Seligman
The Science of Happiness…
Happiness =
Genetic Set
+
External Circumstances
+
Intentional Activities
The Nun Study…
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678 ParticipantsSisters of Notre Dame
Longitudinal studyAlzheimer’s
All born before 1917
At age 22, each asked
to write a one-page
autobiography
For example…
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“God started my life off well
by bestowing upon me grace of
inestimable value… The past
year which I spent as a
candidate studying at Notre
Dame has been a very happy
one. Now I look forward with
eager joy to receiving the Holy
Habit of Our Lady and to a life
of union with Love Divine. “
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“I was born on Sept. 26, 1909,
the eldest of seven children,
five girls and two boys… My
candidate year was spent in the
mother-house, teaching
chemistry and second-year
Latin at Notre Dame. With
God’s grace, I intend to do my
best for our Order, for the
spread of religion and for my
personal sanctification.”
Findings….
Strong positive correlation between
positive emotional content and longevity
(6-7 decades later)
 Optimism is associated with long life.
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Consider this…