Intro to Psychology

History of Psychology, Types of Psychologists

What is Psychology?

Psychology is the science of behavior and mental processesMental processes: what the brain does when we

think, remember, feel, etc.Behavior: outwardly observable acts of an individual,

alone, or in a group.Goals

DescribeExplainpredictcontrol mental processes and behavior.

The experimental study of behavior and the practical applications that arise from them

A very broad and interdisciplinary field

Brief History of Psychology

Earliest roots: philosophyE.g., Descartes

What is the mind? Is it different from the body?Cartesian dualismstudied reflexes

Focus on existence of mind

Toward a Scientific Psychology: Biology

Pierre Flourens - Experimental AblationCase of Phineas GageHermann von Helmholtz – Studied neuronal

transmission.Ernst Weber and psychophysics

Scientific Study of Psychology: Structuralism (ca 1870’s -1900)

Wilhelm Wundt – the father of psychologySet up the first psychology lab in 1879.Created the approach of structuralismWanted to know what the structure of the mind wasUsed introspection

Edward Titchener – student of Wundt, introduced experimental psychology to the USA.

Functionalism (ca 1880’s – current)

Arose in protest to the private mental events studied by structuralists

Focused on the process of conscious activityHad its roots with evolution. How is a

particular behavior adaptive?William James: Not what mind does, but why

it does itBecame incorporated into all of psychology

Gestalt Psychology

School of thought that emphasized the total experience of the individual and not just parts of the mind or behavior

The whole is greater than the sum of its partsWanted to stay away from reductionismLacked scientific rigor and was displacedMajor influence in sensation and perception

Psychoanalysis

Sigmund FreudFocused on the causes and treatment of

emotional disturbances, and particularly the unconscious.

Assumed that psychological maladjustment is a consequence of unresolved conflict

Important in the history of psychotherapy

Behaviorism (ca 1915 – current)

Rejected mental events.Psychology should only study observable and

verifiable events.John Watson – Father of behaviorism.Simplicity; belief in reductionism.

Stimulus – responseUsed animals (pigeons and rats)

B. F. SkinnerDominated psychology for over 50 years.

The Cognitive Revolution (mid 1970’s)

A return to the studies of the mind and how it worked

The computer largely influenced theories of the mind.

Study of perception, representation, decision making, memory, etc.

Evolutionary Psychology

Relies heavily on Darwinian evolution.Traits and behaviors exist because they

were selected during evolution.Individuals who possessed the particular trait had

a reproductive advantage on individuals who did not.

Behaviors exist for a reason.

Compare human behaviors with other animals. Comparative psychology.

Behavioral Neuroscience (1990’s especially)

The “Decade of the Brain”Technological advancesGoal is a biological explanation of behavior.

Behavioral Genetics (2000’s)

How does our genetic makeup influence our behavior

Encouraged by newer technologies and developments

Human genome projectLevel of analysis is the gene

Types of Psychologists

Experimental vs. Applied

Experimental: Use the scientific method to uncover principles of psychology.

Applied: take the principles and apply them to help others

Biological psychology – also called physiological psychology, neuroscience, neuropsychology

Studies how the brain works. How does it produce the behavior that we show?

How are things learned in the brain? How are emotions generated?

Often study animals Often study cases of brain damage Very interdisciplinary

Learning / Animal Behavior Very influenced by behaviorism Study how animals (including humans) learn. Typically use rats, mice, or pigeons

Comparative psychology / evolutionary psychology

Based around evolution – how has behavior evolved.

Comparison is of species! Study many different species

E.g., evolution of emotion E.g., chimpanzees and language E.g., lemur memory

Cognitive psychology– study of the mind emphasizes internal mental processes emphasizes the importance of cognitive

processes, such as perception, memory, and thinking

E.g., how does memory work? Think of your grandmother

Social psychology - study of how people's thoughts, feelings, and actions are affected by others

Study attitudes, conformity, helping behavior, etc.

E.g., Why does Bob like Coors light? E.g., How does a jury reach a verdict?

Developmental psychology – studies how behavior changes over time

Studies children – lifespan approach How do we change as we age? E.g., when do infants start walking? E.g., what can be done to help children

that are not thriving. E.g., is it healthy for teens to vent to their

friends?

Applied Psychologists

Clinical – PhD in clinical psychology Tries to help individuals suffering from psychological

maladjustment Uses psychotherapy to treat psychological disorders E.g., treat depression, anger management, etc.

Psychiatry – MD or DO – branch of medicine that specializes in psychological disorders

Can prescribe medication to help alleviate a problem

May also use psychotherapy E.g., treat depression, anger management, etc.

Counseling psychologyVery similar to clinicalTypically deal with healthier individuals

career and vocational assessment

Industrial / Organizational seek to apply psychological principles to practical

problems of education, industry, marketing, etc.E.g., implement leadership programE.g., Help companies get the most out of

employees – The two Bobs

School psychologist – help children in schoolAddress things like:

Learning disabilitiesAttention-deficit disorderBehavioral disorders

Sport psychologist – applies psychological principles to improve athletic performance

Forensic psychologist - applications of psychological knowledge to the understanding of crime and criminal justice

Study abnormal psychology Personality psychology Social psychology

Ethics

Immoral studiesExperiments in Nazi GermanyOther studies in the US and around the world

Research with humans and animals must now be carefully reviewed.

All research must be approved by an institutional review board (IRB).IRB’s consist of both scientists and people in the

community.The IRB considers the risks and benefits of each

research proposal and decides if it should be performed.

Requirements with Human Research

1. Must have informed consent.2. Be advised of the possible risks and benefits

of the procedure.3. Be told that they can withdraw from the study

at any time without being penalized.4. After the experiment, participants must be

debriefed.5. Deceiving participants is approved only when

the participant will not be harmed and knowledge gained outweighs the use of dishonesty.

Research with Animals

All research with animals must have the approval of an IRB.

The IRB ensures that:1. Animals are housed properly2. Animals are not mistreated.3. Researchers may not cause animals pain unless

that is what is explicitly being studied and there are potential benefits to humans of inflicting pain.

Labs may also inspected by USDA, OSCA, and must have a veterinarian in charge of care.

PETA may also have an eye on laboratories.