OVERVIEW:OVERVIEW:General PsychologyGeneral Psychology

The Science of PsychologyThe Science of Psychology

a.a. Historical Origins of PsychologyHistorical Origins of Psychology

b.b. Goals of PsychologyGoals of Psychology

c.c. Fields of SpecializationFields of Specialization

d.d. Viewpoints in PsychologyViewpoints in Psychology

d.1 Schools of Thoughtd.1 Schools of Thought

d.2 Contemporary Approachesd.2 Contemporary Approaches

PsychologyPsychology A scientific study of human behaviorA scientific study of human behavior Said to be the brain child of philosophySaid to be the brain child of philosophy A process of trying to understand human need, motion, stimulation and what A process of trying to understand human need, motion, stimulation and what

lay behind choices made through every step of human life.lay behind choices made through every step of human life. Scientific study of the behavior of man and lower animals.Scientific study of the behavior of man and lower animals.

Psychology(Psyche) – soul (Logos) – study - is a science that gather facts systematically organizes into general

principle and formulates theories. Psychology as a Science Science – is a branch of knowledge or a study dealing with a body of facts

or truth

Behavior – refers to action or activity of the individual as matter of physiological study.

Behavior can be: 1. overtly - outward behavior 2. covert – hidden not visible to the naked eyes. Behavior can be: 1. conscious - acts maybe in the level of one’s awareness 2. unconscious – acts deeply embedded in one subconscious

Behavior may be: 1. Simple - involves few neurons 2. complex – more number of neurons

Behavior can be: 1. Rational – exercised with sanity or reason. 2. Irrational – acts committed for no apparent reason or explanation

Behavior can be : 1. Voluntary – done with full volition of ill.

2. Involuntary – process within our body that go even while we are asleep or awake.

Objectives of the study of Psychology: 1. To have an improve understanding of one’s own feelings and behavior.

To gain new insights into his/her own personality so that she/ he can adjust more feasibly with his fellow beings.

2. To arouse in the students an interest in the science of psychology. The student is expected to improve his understanding of how psychology functions as a science (What it tells about man and animals).

“ The more a student knows about the science of psychology , the better he is expected to cope with his problem”.

Fields of Specialization 1. Counseling Psychology: understanding and helping people solve the more

or less ordinary but nonetheless important questions they face. 2. Clinical Psychology: attempts to understand person who have emotional

or other difficulties. 3. Environmental Psychology : emphasizes psychological aspects of

ecology. Science between organism and the environment. 4. Human Engineering: concerned with human problems and design of

instrument, machines.

5. Humanistic Psychology : emphasize the whole person (motivations, goals, creativity and the like.

6. Industrial Psychology : helping to solve human relations problem of business industry.

7. Physiological Psychology : studies the effect of the individual’s body and its structure and functioning on his behavior.

8. School Psychology : understanding the problem of school system, teacher-administration relationships and teacher – pupil relationship.

9. Social Psychology: studies the individual in the group including the effect of the individual on his group and its effect on him.

Historical Background I. Traditional Psychology started with man’s earliest speculation regarding human

nature. II . Greek Influences A. Democritus (460 – 370 B.C) Human mind is composed of Atoms. Atoms from our environment enter

through our sense organs enabling us to perceive the world around us.

B. Plato ( 427 – 347 B.C) Mind and Soul is distinct in its own right and is God given. Mind / Soul enter the body with reflected prediction of God Mind / Soul rule the body which it inhabits as knower (thinker and

determinant of action).

Soul has three (3) parts 1. Head ( reason) 2. Heart (responsible for our noble impulses) 3. Diaphragm (seat of our own passion).

C. ARISTOTLE ( 384 – 322 B.C.) 3 functions of the Soul:

vegetative – basic maintenance of life. Appetitive - motives and desires Rational – governing function located in the heart The BRAIN merely performs minor mechanical processes as a gland.

HISTORICAL ORIGINS OF HISTORICAL ORIGINS OF PSYCHOLOGYPSYCHOLOGY

ARISTOTLE –ARISTOTLE – A Greek philosopher who is regarded by many as the FATHER OF A Greek philosopher who is regarded by many as the FATHER OF

PSYCHOLOGYPSYCHOLOGY Wrote the first book in Psychology “Para Psyche” meaning about mind or Wrote the first book in Psychology “Para Psyche” meaning about mind or

soul.soul. Believed that the mind or soul is the cause and principle of body or that Believed that the mind or soul is the cause and principle of body or that

which animates the bodywhich animates the body

ARISTOTLE –ARISTOTLE – He also believed that there are three kinds of souls: plant souls, animal He also believed that there are three kinds of souls: plant souls, animal

souls and human soulssouls and human souls HUMAN SOUL – that is capable of reasonHUMAN SOUL – that is capable of reason He also theorized about learning, memory, motivation, emotion and He also theorized about learning, memory, motivation, emotion and

perception and personalityperception and personality Contended that human mind is a Contended that human mind is a tabula rasa or an empty slatetabula rasa or an empty slate

RENE DESCARTESRENE DESCARTES A French philosopher, mathematician, scientist and writerA French philosopher, mathematician, scientist and writer Founder of Modern PhilosophyFounder of Modern Philosophy Father of Modern MathematicsFather of Modern Mathematics ““Cogito ergo sum” or Cogito ergo sum” or I think therefore I amI think therefore I am Concluded that there are other things or ideas that are certain and that are Concluded that there are other things or ideas that are certain and that are

innate or inborn such as God, time and space, the world of mathematics.innate or inborn such as God, time and space, the world of mathematics.

Aristotle John Locke Rene Descartes

Charles DarwinSigmund Freud

JOHN LOCKEJOHN LOCKE Cemented by his Cemented by his Essay concerning Human UnderstandingEssay concerning Human Understanding He believed on the ideas such as God, good or evil are innate at birthHe believed on the ideas such as God, good or evil are innate at birth According to him variety of beliefs, non-beliefs and moralities the so-called According to him variety of beliefs, non-beliefs and moralities the so-called

innate ideas could have not been possibleinnate ideas could have not been possible

JOHN LOCKEJOHN LOCKE Believed in the good nature of humans, an instinct for social good and the Believed in the good nature of humans, an instinct for social good and the

ability to reasonability to reason He believed that matter and mind could not be empirically proven to exist He believed that matter and mind could not be empirically proven to exist

because when they try to look these things, we all see are qualities of it and because when they try to look these things, we all see are qualities of it and not matter mind itself.not matter mind itself.

CHARLES DARWINCHARLES DARWIN An English naturalist and geologist from England who is best known for his An English naturalist and geologist from England who is best known for his

Theory of Natural SelectionTheory of Natural Selection According to him species change or evolve into a variation that would most According to him species change or evolve into a variation that would most

likely survive in the particular environment they are in.likely survive in the particular environment they are in.

ERNST WEBERERNST WEBER A German physiologist who made use of measurements in his study of the A German physiologist who made use of measurements in his study of the

relation of stimulus and mental experiencerelation of stimulus and mental experience He was known for the techniques he developed: the two point threshold and He was known for the techniques he developed: the two point threshold and

the justice noticeable differencethe justice noticeable difference A law named after him the Weber’s LawA law named after him the Weber’s Law

Gustav FechnerGustav Fechner A German physiologist whose medical training and interest in physics and A German physiologist whose medical training and interest in physics and

psychology paved way for investigation of mental processes using scientific psychology paved way for investigation of mental processes using scientific methodologiesmethodologies

DOUBLE ASPECTISM – or the belief that all of physical nature has a DOUBLE ASPECTISM – or the belief that all of physical nature has a mental counter part of mind or soul led him to develop mental counter part of mind or soul led him to develop PsychophysicsPsychophysics

PSYCHOPHYSICSPSYCHOPHYSICS The study of the systematic relationships between physical events and The study of the systematic relationships between physical events and

mental events.mental events.

HERMAN VON HELMHOLTZHERMAN VON HELMHOLTZ The most famous German scientist of the 19The most famous German scientist of the 19thth century century He became a medical doctor and a physiologist but his first love was He became a medical doctor and a physiologist but his first love was

physicsphysics

HERMAN VON HELMHOLTZHERMAN VON HELMHOLTZ Noted Contribution are:Noted Contribution are: theory regarding the conservation of energytheory regarding the conservation of energy Invention of the ophthalmoscopeInvention of the ophthalmoscope Researches on sight and hearing Researches on sight and hearing Papers on geometry and physicsPapers on geometry and physics

FRANCIS GALTONFRANCIS GALTON First cousin of Charles Darwin and an intellect who had a lot of contributions First cousin of Charles Darwin and an intellect who had a lot of contributions

to different field of science as well as mathematics.to different field of science as well as mathematics. He devised the first weather maps, invented the electrocardiograph and He devised the first weather maps, invented the electrocardiograph and

devised method of classifying fingerprintsdevised method of classifying fingerprints He was the first to measure intelligence and develop questionnaires and He was the first to measure intelligence and develop questionnaires and

surveys in collecting data about humanssurveys in collecting data about humans FATHER OF PSYCHOMETRICS /FATHER OF PSYCHOMETRICS / FATHER OF MENTAL TESTFATHER OF MENTAL TEST

WILHELM WUNDTWILHELM WUNDT FATHER OF MODERN PSYCHOLOGY FATHER OF MODERN PSYCHOLOGY FATHER OF EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGYFATHER OF EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY The first one to be called a The first one to be called a PSYCHOLOGISTPSYCHOLOGIST

G. STANLEY HALLG. STANLEY HALL An American student of Wilhelm Wundt who also made a lasting An American student of Wilhelm Wundt who also made a lasting

contributions to psychologycontributions to psychology First to have established a psychological laboratory in the United States at First to have established a psychological laboratory in the United States at

John Hopkins University in 1883John Hopkins University in 1883 Founded the American Journal of Psychology in 1887Founded the American Journal of Psychology in 1887 First president of American Psychological AssociationFirst president of American Psychological Association

Different Schools of Psychology

Different ideas about psychology. What to include and not to include in Psychology. What it should emphasize ? What research methods to be used? Group of Psychologists who agreed and associated with the leader of the

movement. They shared the same ideas about what psychology was and how it was to

be studied.

Early Schools of Thought in PsychologyEarly Schools of Thought in Psychology

STRUCTURALISM STRUCTURALISM Pioneered by Wilhelm WundtPioneered by Wilhelm Wundt EDWARD B. TITCHENER – who brought the paradigm to the United States EDWARD B. TITCHENER – who brought the paradigm to the United States

and coined the termand coined the termSTRUCTURALISMSTRUCTURALISM Is concerned about consciousness and the elements or structures that form Is concerned about consciousness and the elements or structures that form

its makeupits makeup

INTROSPECTIONINTROSPECTION Self examination as a methodologySelf examination as a methodologyThe following details for the method:The following details for the method:1.1. The observer must know when the experience begins and endsThe observer must know when the experience begins and ends2.2. The observer must maintain “strained attention”The observer must maintain “strained attention”3.3. The phenomenon must bear repetitionThe phenomenon must bear repetition4.4. The phenomenon must be capable of variationThe phenomenon must be capable of variation

FUNCTIONALISMFUNCTIONALISM

Was led by America’s first and leading psychologist Was led by America’s first and leading psychologist WILLIAM JAMESWILLIAM JAMES Published book known as Published book known as

““The Principles of Psychology”The Principles of Psychology”

PRAGMATISM PRAGMATISM No idea could be concluded as true or falseNo idea could be concluded as true or false All that we believe in are all “maybes”All that we believe in are all “maybes”

FUNCTIONALISMFUNCTIONALISM

Focus on the usefulness, function, practicality and consequence of behavior Focus on the usefulness, function, practicality and consequence of behavior as opposed to its structuresas opposed to its structures

EXAMPLE – a behavior as simple as smiling should be understood as to its EXAMPLE – a behavior as simple as smiling should be understood as to its usefulness such as to express emotion, to greet or even to express sarcasmusefulness such as to express emotion, to greet or even to express sarcasm

Psychology was functional one whose aim was not to reduce mind to elements but to study consciousness as an ongoing process.

William James: The subject matter of psychology was the study of organism as a whole functioning in his environment.

GESTALTGESTALT PSYCHOLOGY PSYCHOLOGY Founded by Founded by MAX WERTHEIMER, WOLFGANG KOHLER, KURT KOFFKAMAX WERTHEIMER, WOLFGANG KOHLER, KURT KOFFKA GESTALTGESTALT Is a German word actually means a “unified or meaningful whole”Is a German word actually means a “unified or meaningful whole” ““The whole is greater than the sum of its parts”The whole is greater than the sum of its parts” GESTALT PSYCHOLOGY – seeing movement when there is none maybe GESTALT PSYCHOLOGY – seeing movement when there is none maybe

considered as an illusionconsidered as an illusion Applied in other areas of perception, particularly in grouping and in Applied in other areas of perception, particularly in grouping and in

organizingorganizing

BEHAVIORISMBEHAVIORISM

Originated in RussiaOriginated in Russia Founded by IVAN PAVLOV known for his learning model of Founded by IVAN PAVLOV known for his learning model of CLASSICAL CLASSICAL

CONDITIONINGCONDITIONING In America, leading behaviorists were: In America, leading behaviorists were:

a. EDWARD LEE THORNDIKEa. EDWARD LEE THORNDIKE

b. BURRHUS FREDERICK SKINNERb. BURRHUS FREDERICK SKINNER

C. JOHN B. WATSONC. JOHN B. WATSON

BEHAVIORISMBEHAVIORISM

In order for psychology to be true science, it should only study what is In order for psychology to be true science, it should only study what is observable – the environment and behaviorobservable – the environment and behavior

Others such as thoughts, feelings or consciousness, are useless to Others such as thoughts, feelings or consciousness, are useless to psychology because they are subjective, not observable, therefore not psychology because they are subjective, not observable, therefore not measurablemeasurable

Psychology as the science of behavior, acts are to describe objectively in terms of stimulus response habit formation, habit integration.

View of Human: Human behavior is learned and all behavior is the result of environmental forces and the individual’s genetic endowments . Decision making as one kind of behavior. Therefore, Individual is seen as having an equal potential for positive and negative tendencies.

B. F. Skinner: “Radical Behaviorism” Humans are controlled by environmental conditions. Human Being is

governed by choice and freedom. They reject the concept of the person as a “free agent” who shapes his / her own destiny. Past and present situations in the objective world determine behavior. Therefore, The environment is the primary shaper of human existence.

PSYCHOANALYSISPSYCHOANALYSIS

Developed byDeveloped by SIGMUND FREUD SIGMUND FREUD MIND IS DIVIDED INTO 3 PARTSMIND IS DIVIDED INTO 3 PARTS

1.1. CONSCIOUS – CONSCIOUS – contains information that we are aware of in a give period contains information that we are aware of in a give period of timeof time

2.2. PRECONSCIOUS – PRECONSCIOUS – it is the storehouse of information that is easily it is the storehouse of information that is easily retrievable to consciousnessretrievable to consciousness

3.3. UNCONSCIOUSUNCONSCIOUS – contains things that are difficult to access or to be – contains things that are difficult to access or to be made aware of made aware of

Human beings are basically determined by psychic energy and by early experiences.

Unconscious motives , irrational forces are strong and present behavior. View of Human Nature: Human nature is essentially pessimistic, deterministic, mechanistic and

reductionistic. Human are viewed as energy system. The dynamics of personality consists

of the ways in which the psychic energy is distributed (id, ego, super- ego).

All human behavior as determined by the desire to gain pleasure and avoid pain.

Human are both life instinct and death instinct. The goal of life is Death. Life is a roundabout way to death.

EXISTENTIALISMEXISTENTIALISM

Is more of a philosophy, it emphasizes on the creative process, freedom Is more of a philosophy, it emphasizes on the creative process, freedom and uniqueness or individual existenceand uniqueness or individual existence

HUMANISTIC PSYCHOLOGYHUMANISTIC PSYCHOLOGY The offspring of Gestalt psychology emphasizes people’s tendency to The offspring of Gestalt psychology emphasizes people’s tendency to

actualize or realize his full potentialsactualize or realize his full potentialsCOGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGYCOGNITIVE PSYCHOLOGY Focus on the importance of mental process such as thinking, organizing, Focus on the importance of mental process such as thinking, organizing,

memory and planning in understanding human behaviormemory and planning in understanding human behavior

Philosophy of Humanistic Humans are capable of self awareness. The unique and distinctive capacity

to think and to decide. The power to choose among alternatives – to decide freely within the framework of limitation.

“ With freedom to choose and act comes a responsibility”.

Being Human we have to face ultimate aloneness, a person comes into the world alone and leaves alone. Therefore, we have to relate to other in a meaningful relationship for human are RATIONAL BEING.

Failure to create meaningful relationship will lead to ISOLATION,LONELINESS,ALIENATION.

In summary: Psychology -( Psyche : means “soul”

• Logos : study

• “ study of the soul”

• Greek developed empirical method (information gained from direct observation and measurement).

• They used the assumptions without verifying them.

• They did much speculation about the motivational aspects of human behavior.

• They replaced Psyche as Mind. Therefore, Psychology is the study of the mind.

Renaissance Scientist : Introduced the idea that observations could be further objectified through measurements.

German Psychologists / Physicists : used measurement and techniques to study sensation and laid foundation to scientific psychology.

School of thoughts Structuralism : Psychology should be concerned with identifying and studying

the elements that form the structure of consciousness and analyze experience into basic elements.” Consciousness is an ever changing stream or flow of images and sensation”.

Functionalism : Functionalism studies the behavior by analyzing its elements and proposed that it is to be studied in terms of forms or organization. Focused on the operations/functions of conscious activity.

Behaviorism : It explains human behavior though relationship of stimulus. To understand human behavior take into account what environment does. To study observable and measurable behavior not consciousness

Stress the importance of learning and influence of environment.

Gestalt: Psychology should study the whole pattern of behavior, experience or the perception of the organized configuration. They emphasize the study of THINKING, LEARNING, PERCEPTION into whole units not into parts.

PSYCHOANALYSIS Behavior is constantly influenced by unconscious thoughts. The central aspects of Human behavior : Human Desires and Primitive

Impulses.

Activity: CHAPTER 1Activity: CHAPTER 1

Based on the information you have Based on the information you have acquired recently regarding psychology, acquired recently regarding psychology, write an essay about your views write an essay about your views concerning how this course could be concerning how this course could be potential use to you. It may be an areas of potential use to you. It may be an areas of relationships, academics, self relationships, academics, self improvement or your future endeavors..improvement or your future endeavors..