Early History of Psychology
Psyche- Greek word for “spirit, soul and breath”
Logia- Greek word for “the study of something”
Psychology is the scientific study of the human mind and its functions, esp. those affecting behavior in a given context.
Synonyms: study of the mind, science of the mindIt is the scientific discipline that studies mental processes and behavior in humans and other animals. Literally meaning “the study of the mind,” psychology focuses on both individual and group behavior.
Clinical psychology is concerned with the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. Other specialized fields of psychology include child psychology, educational psychology, sports psychology, social psychology, and comparative psychology.
The issues studied by psychologists cover a wide spectrum, including learning, cognition, intelligence, motivation, emotion, perception, personality, and the extent to which individual differences are shaped by genetics or environment.
The methods used in psychological research include observation, interviews, psychological testing, laboratory experimentation, and statistical analysis
Evolution and History
The Greeks:
Developed a rough framework for introspection
· Socrates- We learn about ourselves by carefully examining our thoughts and feelings.
· Plato- “Know Thyself” Knowledge is innate
· Aristotle- first text “Peri Psyches” = “about the mind”(begins history of psychological thought)
The text argued that it was scientific and human behavior like movement of the stars and sea is subject to certain rules of nature. We are motivated to seek pleasure and avoid pain.
Disagreed with Socrates and Plato, said knowledge grows from the experiences stored in memories
Rene Descartes-(1596-1650) “I think therefore I am”
v He was a French creative mathematician and philosopher.
v Believed that the mind influenced the body and vice versa.
v The brain is responsible for thoughts.
Some innate (born with) and some derived from experience.
v Dualistic model of reality- there is a relationship between physical and mental realm yet they still remain separate (mind & soul)
John Locke(1632-1704)- Empiricism-Experience through the senses
v He was an English philosopher-theorized that knowledge is not inborn, but learned from experience.
v Thought of the mind as a blank slate “tabla rosa”
v No innate ideas, all ideas come from experience
v Theory of the Mind-the origins of conceptions; of identity and self (personality).
******Add next two theorists after John Locke*******
Franz Mesmer (1774) - Austrian.
v Detailed his cure for some mental illness, originally called mesmerism and now known as hypnosis. He initially used magnets to induce the power of persuasion.
Charles Darwin (1859)
v Theory of Evolution-Study of animals could reveal something about humans.
v Natural selection descended over time through ancestors.
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The Beginning of Science and Psychology
Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920) - Structuralism
v Founder of experimental psychology
v First laboratory in Germany
v Structuralism is concerned with internal components of the brain-parts of mind.
v Relied on introspection (internal perceptions)
*********Add the next theorist after Wundt************
Edward Titchener -Structuralism-the study of the basic conscious elements of the mind
v Student of Wundt
v First school of Psychology
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William James (1842-1910) Functionalism-Concerned with how mind/behavior works and changes and how we adapt and function
v Studied mental functions and how they helped organisms adapt to their environment.
v Became foundation of modern psychology.
Ivan Pavlov (1906) and J.B. Watson (1913) Behaviorism
v Theory that describes the measurable and observable behaviors produced by learner’s reactions to stimulus
v Study Man’s best friend (Pavlov’s dogs-from unconditioned stimulus to conditioned response)
Classical conditioning-Four basic principles:
US= Unconditioned Stimulus, UR= Unconditioned Response, CS= Conditioned Stimulus, CR= Conditioned Response (learning by association)
View clip on Pavlov/Classical (3:54) & Big Bang Theory “Penny and Chocolate”/Operant
J. B. Watson is known for his work with operant conditioning (Little Albert experiment) Rewards and punishments
View clips J. Watson/Pequeno/Albert and2 Big Bang Theory: “Guys in Lab” & Sheldon and Amy “Closure”
Time for an Operant Conditioning/Reinforcement Experiment
Any Volunteers???
Sigmund Freud (1900)-Psychoanalysis
v This theory is based on the observation that individuals are often unaware of the factors that determine their emotions and behaviors.
v “Issues” are in the unconscious mind. These hidden issues will eventually erupt.
v Treat “issues” by bringing them into the conscious mind
v Five stages of Psychosexual development: Oral, Anal, Phallic, Latency, Genital
v Structural models of personality: Id, Ego, Superego
v Conception of human psyche (unconscious…Iceberg Metaphor)
v Unconscious conflicts/motivations
************add next ****************
The Gestalt School (Shape or Form)
German psychologists Max Wertheimer, Kurt Koffka and Wolfgang Kohler:
*perceptions are more than the sums of their parts. Rather they are wholes that give shape or meaning to the parts.
* demonstrated that much learning, especially problem solving, is accomplished by insight, not mechanical repetition.
*Insight is the sudden appearance of the Gestalt, or form, that enables the individual to see the solution.
* Five laws of perception. (Proximity, Closure, Similarity, Continuity, Figure and Ground)
Early Milestones in Scientific Psychology
l 1883- First psychology lab in U.S. at John Hopkins University
l 1887- First American psychology journal was published
l 1892- APA (American Psychological Association) is founded
l 1894- Margaret Floy Washbum is the first woman to receive a PhD. in psychology
l 1905- Mary Whiton Clakins is the first woman elected president of the APA
l 1920- Francis Cecil Sumner is the first African American to receive a PhD. in psychology
Classifications of Psychologists
Practitioner
Provide services such as therapy or counseling.
May conduct research
Academic
University Professors that teach research and publish
Researcher
Employed by industry or business
Study target groups
Differences in Practitioners
and required course of education
Psychologist:
Deals with individual, marital and family problems
They could be in Counseling (Dr. of Education) in private practice, government or medical facility. OR
A Clinical psychologist (PHD) who works in private practice, government or medical facility.
The education to become a Dr. of Ed or PhD would be approx.6-9 years:
1) College (4 years)
2) Graduate School (4-5 years)
3) 1 year internship
4) 1-3 years of supervised training (up to individual states)
Psychiatrist:
Is a medical doctor who spends 4 years as a graduate student learning about medical problems rather than mental problems.
They can prescribe medications.
Their education would include:
1) College (4 years)
2) Graduate School (4-5 years)
3) 1-3 years of residency in a hospital or mental health facility
Psychiatric social workers and nurses:
Work directly with patients in mental health facilities.
Education is similar to a Psychiatrist. Some nurses can prescribe RX.
Psychotherapist:
Therapy for the mind
This is a broad term for any professional who helps others psychologically.
Education is similar to Psychologists and may be eclectic in its approach. (Using combinations of various theoretical applications)
Psychoanalyst or Psycho-dynamic Therapist:
Use principles based on theories of unconscious impulses that are seeking expression.
Treatment focuses on free association to reveal inner forces
Education is similar to Psychologists with an emphasis on psychoanalysis. Think Freud.
Neuroscientist
Is a medical doctor that deals with any or all of the sciences, such as neurochemistry and experimental psychology, which deal with the structure or function of the nervous system and brain. (Brain imagining)
They could be a Ph.D. or M.D. They can prescribe medication.
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Sub fields in
Psychology
Clockwise
Clinical -Moderate to severe
^ Largest group. Involved in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders
School- K-12
^Testing for special programs. Social emotional and intellectual development
Industrial/Organizational-For profit
^ Consumer behavior and store design
Social-Groups
^Social interactions, mob mentality, conformity and leadership
Experimental -Lab work
^Very specific. Brain development and functions
Developmental- Lifetime
^Study changes throughout life
Educational- College
^Teach and design curriculum
Counseling- Mild to moderate
^Usually family counseling
Now determine psychologists from scenarios before we go on to Contemporary Perspectives.