history of psychology prologue, lecture 1 “psychology…is less a set of findings than a way of...

History of History of PsychologyPsychology

Prologue, Lecture 1Prologue, Lecture 1

“Psychology…is less a set of findings than away of asking and answering questions.”

- David Myers

The Story of Psychology

In your notes:

1. Write five adjectives that describe a typical scientist.

2. Write five adjectives that describe a typical psychologist.

Psychology

With hopes of satisfying curiosity, many people listen to talk-radio counselors and

psychics to learn about others and themselves.

Dr. Crane (radio-shrink)

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Psychic (future gazing)

Psychology’s RootsAristotle (384-322 B.C.)

Aristotle, a naturalist and philosopher, theorized about psychology’s concepts. He suggested that the soul and body are not

separate (a monist) and that knowledge grows from experience.

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Psychological Science is Born

Wundt and psychology’s first graduate students

studied the “atoms of the mind” by conducting

experiments at Leipzig, Germany, in 1879. This work is

considered the birth of psychology as we know

it today.

Wu

nd

t (18

32

-19

20

)

An even earlier “psychology” experiment?

Psychological Science is Born

Founders of structuralism, an

early school of psychology that used

introspection to explore the structural elements of the human

mind.W

un

dt (1

83

2-1

920

)

Psychological Science is Born

American philosopher William James wrote an important 1890 psychology textbook. Mary

Calkins, James’s student, became the APA’s first female president.

Jam

es (1

84

2-1

91

0)

Mary C

alk

ins

Psychological Science is Born

James founded functionalism, which focused on how our mental and behavioral processes

function – how they enable us to adapt, survive, and flourish.

Jam

es (1

84

2-1

91

0)

Mary C

alk

ins

Psychological Science is Born

Sigmund Freud, an Austrian physician, and his followers emphasized the importance of the unconscious mind and its effects on human

behavior.

Fre

ud

(18

56

-193

9)

Psychological Science is Born

Psychology originated in many disciplines and countries. It was, until the 1920s, defined as the

science of mental life. Wundt – German philosopher & physiologistJames – American philosopher

Pavlov – Russian physiologist

Freud – Austrian physician

Piaget – Swiss biologist

Psychological Science DevelopsBehaviorists

Watson and later Skinner emphasized the study of overt behavior as the subject

matter of scientific psychology.

Watso

n (1

87

8-1

95

8)

Skin

ner (1

904

-19

90

)

Psychological Science Develops

Humanistic Psychology

Maslow and Rogers emphasized current environmental influences on our growth

potential and our need for love and acceptance.

Masl

ow

(19

08

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70

)

Rog

ers

(1

90

2-1

98

7)

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Psychology Today

We define psychology today as the We define psychology today as the scientific study of behavior (what scientific study of behavior (what

we do) and mental processes we do) and mental processes (inner thoughts and feelings).(inner thoughts and feelings).

HomeworkAsk Yourself (AY) Questions:p.6, p.11 (10 pts)