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PSYCHOLOGY Module 1 The History and Scope of Psychology.
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Transcript of PSYCHOLOGY Module 1 The History and Scope of Psychology.
PSYCHOLOGY
Module 1The History and Scope
of Psychology
Psychology’s Roots
Prescientific Psychology Is the mind
connected to the body or distinct?
Are ideas inborn or is the mind a blank slate filled by experience?
Prescientific Psychology
Rene Descartes (1596-1650)
Human Mind held two ideas:
Innate (i.e., belief in “God”)
Derived (all ideas acquired by experience)
John Locke (1632-1704) Empiricism – knowledge acquired by observation All ideas come from experience – no “innate ideas” Mind is a “blank slate” written on by experience
Psychology’s Roots
Wilhelm Wundt opened the first psychology laboratory at the University of Leipzig (c. 1879)
Introspection, psychophysical measurements
Structuralism used introspection (looking in) to explore the elemental structure of the human mind
Psychology’s Roots
Max Wertheimer (1880-1943) Functionalism, however focused on how behavioral processes function—how they enable organism to adapt, survive, and flourish
Gestalt Psychology
Early Milestones
Stanley Hall – 1st laboratory in U.S. (1883)Herman Ebbinghaus – memory (1885)William James – founded Functionalism
(1890)Sigmund Freud – Unconsciousness (1900)American Psychological Association (1892)Ivan Pavlov – Behaviorism (1906)
Psychology’s Roots
Figure 1- British Psychological Society membership
Psychology’s Roots
Definition of PsychologyThe science of behavior (what we do) and mental processes (sensations, perceptions, dreams, thoughts, beliefs, and feelings)
How do we know?
Validity of knowledge: God is dead. Abortion is wrong. There is a genetic predisposition to
schizophrenia. The mind is just like a computer Attitudes affect cancer Pornography is harmful 2 + 2 + 4
Philosophical Developments
A Question: How are mind and body related?
Dualism - body and soul are separate but interrelated origins in medieval religion soul is seat of intellectual function and
will mind is product of the soul
mind not subject to scientific inquiry
to challenge this was punishable by death
Philosophical Developments
A Question: How are mind and body related?
Rene Descartes (1596-1650) - modified dualism since animals have no soul, much
behavior does not require soul the body can therefore control much
behaviorled him to study reflexes
the soul’s main function is thought, a uniquely human attribute
Philosophical Developments
Materialism: Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) mind is a product of the brain soul is not involved in human behavior
Empiricism: knowledge and intellect are acquired sensory experiences produce elementary ideas elementary ideas become associated into
complex thought and ideas
A Question: How are mind and body related?
Philosophical DevelopmentsAnother Question:
Empiricism vs. NativismNativism is the view that elementary
ideas are innateIf knowledge is innate
What is the purpose of education? Can intellect be changed by experience?
Are abilities determined by our genes or our experiences?
This is known as Nature vs. Nurture appears throughout modern psychology
Foundations of Modern Psychology
Charles Darwin (1809-1882)Theory of natural selection (1859)
physical characteristics evolve through natural selection
behavioral patterns also influence selection inborn knowledge and behavioral
tendencies with survival value are passed on
Human beings are part of nature and can be understood through the methods of science
Foundations of Modern Psychology
Darwin’s theory encouraged scientific inquiry
19th century developments in physiology demonstrated the approach to use based on scientific methods, controlled
laboratory experiments influential beliefs from early physiology
reflexology - all human behaviors occur through reflexeslocalization of function - specific structures of the brain
serve specific functions in the control of mental experiences and behavior
Other Pioneers
Alfred Binet (1857-1911) French intelligence researcher developed first intelligence test
Ivan Pavlov (1849-1936) Russian physiologist discovered conditioned reflexes
B.F. Skinner (1904-1990) American psychologist at Harvard studied learning and effect of reinforcement behaviorism
Contemporary Psychology
Psychology’s Big IssuesNature-nurture controversy
the relative contribution that genes and experience make to development of psychological traits and behaviors
Contemporary Psychology
Natural selection principle that
those inherited trait variations contributing to survival will most likely be passed on to succeeding generations
Andrea Yates
Cognitive Perspective Private mental functioning?
Biological Basis Brain chemistry depression
Social-Cultural Family affair? Extended family
Many factors shaping human behavior
Contemporary Psychology
Psychology’s Perspectives A lot depends on your point of view
Contemporary Psychology
Contemporary Psychology
Psychology’s SubfieldsBasic Research
biological psychologists explore the links between brain and mind
developmental psychologists study changing abilities from womb to tomb
cognitive psychologists study how we perceive, think, and solve problems
Contemporary Psychology
Psychology’s SubfieldsBasic Research
Personality psychologists investigate our persistent traits
Social psychologists explore how we view and affect one another
Contemporary Psychology
Psychology’s SubfieldsApplied Research
Industrial/organizational psychologists study and advise on behavior in the workplace
Clinical psychologists study, assess, and treat people with psychological disorders
Contemporary Psychology
Psychiatry A branch of medicine dealing with
psychological disorders Practiced by physicians who
sometimes use medical (for example, drug) treatments as well as psychotherapy