The Development of Psychology as a Science

1.What is Psychology? 2.Background of Psychology

3.Origins and Beginnings of Modern Psychology

4.Subject Matter of Modern Psychology5.The Different Schools of Psychology

6.Branches of Psychology7.Areas of Specialization of Psychology

8.Other Subfields 9.Scope of Psychology

10.Methods of Psychology Research11.Objectives of Psychology12.Levels of Investigation13.Values of Psychology

What is Psychology?

Psychology . . .> is derived from the Greek words Psyche which means soul and Logos which means discourse.> psychology or mental philosophy was thus literally a study of soul.> About four centuries ago, mental philosophers began

to translate psyche, as “mind” and psychology was then defined as “ a study of mind.” > Eventually replaced by the definition of psychology as “ a science of behavior.’’ It is a science because it is systematic and empirical and is dependent upon measurement.

Psychology is a science and the properly trained

psychologist is a scientist, or at least, a practitioner who uses scientific methods and information resulting from

scientific investigation.

BACKGROUND OF PSYCHOLOGY

Origin and Beginnings

of Modern Psychology

Ancient Greek Philosophers> Origins of psychology

may be found in their writings.> They developed the

empirical method, an approach that was sharpened by the empiricists of the 17th century.

Scientists of Renaissance> made their contributions

by introducing the idea that observations could be further objectified through measurements.

Origin and Beginnings of Modern Psychology

German Psychologists and Physicists of the 19th century

> used measurement techniques to study sensation and thus laid the foundation for scientific psychology

Opening of Wilhelm Wundt’s laboratory at Leipzig in 1879

> it is usually taken as the beginning of modern

psychological research.

Wilhelm Wundt is considered to be the father of experimental psychology.

Wundt’s approach to study behavior is called structuralism which is concerned with identifying and studying the elements that formed the structure of consciousness.William James approach was called functionalism that emphasized the

behavior as an integrated process,Group of German psychologists, the geltaltist also objected to the idea of

studying behavior by analyzing it’s elements and proposed that it

be studied in terms of organization or form.John B. Watson expressed skepticism about studying any aspect of behavior

that can not be objectively observed. He proposed that psychology

study the behavior of organism that led to the movement that has

been called “behaviorism.”Sigmund Freud’s approach is the psychoanalytic movement.

Subject Matter of Modern Psychology

Several basic topics constitute the subject matter of modern psychology.

-individual differences -thinking-sensation-perception -intelligence-motivation - personality-emotion -group dynamics-innate patterns -behavior pathology-learning

THE DIFFERENT SCHOOL OF PSYCHOLOGY

Psychologist have different ideas about what psychology should or should not include, about what it should emphasize, and about what research methods are best.

When a large number of psychologists strengthly support a certain view they are called “school”.

Structuralism The first school headed by Wilhelm

Wundt, a German, and later by E. B. Titchener.

Started in 1879 Structuralists thought of psychology as

the study of conscious experience.

WILHELM WUNDT AND E. B. TITCHENER

Functionalism Functionalism came into existence at the University of Chicago,

around the turn of 20th century. Called themselves functionalist Headed by William James, James R. Angell, and John Dewey. Focused on the operation or functions of conscious activity

(e.g., thinking, learning), while the stucturalist studied the so-called elements (e.g., “ideas”, “sensation”) of consciousness.

They redefined psychology as “the study of man’s adjustments to his environment”.

WILLIAM JAMES, JAMES ANGELL AND JOHN DEWEY

Associationism Is a school of thought, which is concerned with the factors of

learning such as remembering and thinking. Primary exponent of this system was Aristotle. Its starts with the philosopical concept that learning is the

formation of bonds or connections in the nervous system. Headed by Edward Thorndike, John Locke and Thomas Hobbes They proposed that everything around can be explained by

association.

EDWARD THORNDIKE AND THOMAS HOBBES

Behaviorism Movement which was against both structuralism and

functionalism. Originated in America in 1912 John Watson and E.L. Thorndike turned to the study of overt

behaviour rejecting the study of conscious experience as a subject for scientific research.

Defines psychology as the science of behavior and not of consciousness

It denies the existence of instinct or of inborn tendencies, but on learned behavior.

The behaviorist believe that there can be no response without stimulus.

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JOHN WATSON AND EDWARD THORNDIKE

Gestalt School 1912 Max Wertheimer, Wolfgang Kohler, and Kurt Koffka founded the

Gestalt School which maintains that psychology should study the whole pattern of behavior or experience or the perception of organized configuration.

To them, it was the overall pattern of any experience which was more important to study than the specific elements which made it up.

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MAX WERTHEIMER, WOLFGANG KOHLER AND KURT KOFFKA

Psychoanalytic School Psychoanalysts Sigmund Freud, Alfred

Adler, Carl Jung were the advocators of psychoanalysis.

They insist on human desires and primitive impulses as the central factors of behavior.

He attempted to find the cure and cause of personality disorder. Freudian or Psychoanalytic Theory Libido Theory

Freud’s method of treatment called “psychoanalysis”, emphasizes “free association” which is done by having the patient freely associate his thoughts and experiences, and with the help of the psychiatrist, analyzes the cause of his difficulty.

Between 1911-1912,Freud and his adherents Carl Jung and Alfred Adler had a split in their ideas.

To Carl Jung, people are either extroverts or introverts and his his school is sometimes called the “analytical school”. To Adler, the prime mover of people is their desire for superiority.

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SIGMUND FREUD, ALFRED ADLER AND CARL JUNG

Purposivism William McDougall conducted

researches in the field of psychology. In Duke University at Durham, North

Carolina. He believed that objects, movements,

and behavior have a definite purpose. Purposivism is called “hormic”

psychology

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WILLIAM MCDOUGALL

BRANCHES OF PSYCHOLOGY

The field of psychology had a rich history. Psychology began to realize that the study of behavior was so broad that no single approach could be relied on to give the necessary answer to all questions that were being raised. As a result, the branches of psychology family tree has taken a new look.

General Psychology This is a field of psychology that explains the underlying

principles of human behavior. The study of how and why people behave this way or that

way. The principles of the structural and functional mechanism

of the human body are discussed. Comparative Psychology

Branch of psychology which treats on the behavior and mental processes of the different species.

Also known as animal psychology where activities of both animal and man are compared and differentiated, particularly in relation to genetic and evolutionary theories

Developmental or Genetic Psychology Concerns itself with the study of human behavior in all

its aspects of growth and development. The entire life of an individual which is divided into

the stages of prenatal, neonatal, infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and senescence are scientifically presented with its physical, mental, emotional, social, and moral developments during the period.

Child Psychology Is the scientific study of human behavior from its post-

natal beginnings up to early adolescence.

Adolescent Psychology Is the study of behavior of man from puberty to later

life, approximately from twelve to twenty years old. Senescent Psychoogy

Is the scientific study of human behavior in old age. Consumer Psychology

Is concerned with the investigation of the varied facets of marketing and buying behavior, effects of advertising, studies of mass media, and other problems arising from the relationship between buyer and seller

Abnormal Psychology Is the scientific study of human behavior and the

etiology or cause of personality defects, or man’s behavior which deviates from the average reaction, hence abnormal.

Dynamic Psychology Is a scientific interpretation of mental phenomena

emphasizing internal drives and motives as the cause of behavior.

Psychiatry Is psychology applied in medicine. It is concerned with

the treatment of mental diseases.

Business Psychology Is the study of the principles of psychology

as applied to business and deals particularly with the behavior of consumers.

Psychological methods are employed to gain more customers and impress prospective buyers.

Social Pschology Is the study of the behavior of groups of

individuals in their relationship to other groups.

Psychology continues to grow and as a dynamic science that responds to the demands of the modern world, several sub-fields were developed. We have:

Cognitive Psychology This is concerned with the mental processes involved in

acquiring and using knowledge. Forensic Psychology or legal Psychology

Is the application of the principles of human behavior to law, or any legal proceedings.

Community Psychology This is dedicated to promote health at the community

level. Community psychologist prevent and treat psychological problems by working out to evaluate and improve community organization

The Development of Psychology as

a Science

Prepared by:Donna Liza L. Alonzo

“Psychology has made great strides in the development of principles and methods and the discovery of facts which find useful application in various aspects of everyday life.”

Objectives of Psychology

• The objectives of psychology are:

(1)To understand human behavior(2)To predict human behavior by means

of observation and experiment(3)To influence or alter the behavior of

the individual or group in desirable ways so that the designed goal can be achieved

LEVELS OF INVESTIGATION

Behavioral scientists employ different methods of looking into the reasons for man’s behavior.

LEVELS OF INVESTIGATION

Biological LevelThe biological level is concerned with the bodily

bases of behavior. Biological variables relevant to the study include generic processes, age, brain, pathology, drugs, hormones, nutrition, illness, fatigue, and bodily injury. Psychological Level

The psychological level is concerned with understanding the nature and role of psychological variables in human behavior.

Relevant are such general categories of behavior as striving, thinking, feeling, and acting and more specific manifestations such as values, beliefs, attitudes, emotions, dreams, habits, learning, problem-solving, decision-making, conflicts.

LEVELS OF INVESTIGATION Sociological Level

The sociological level is concerned with the effects of socio-cultural conditions upon the behavior of individuals and groups.

Relevant sociological variables include social role, status, leadership, patterns of communication, propaganda, social pressure, and interpersonal relationship. An interdisciplinary approach is often

profitable. By working cooperatively, scientist from different disciplines often arrive at a more comprehensive understanding of human behavior.

VALUES OF PSYCHOLOGY

Psychology is of great importance to man because psychological problems are common to them. Like anthropology and sociology, it is a behavioral science. It is a scientific method applied to the study behavior with a purpose of explaining why people act and behave the way they do.

VALUES OF PSYCHOLOGY

The values of psychology may stated as follows:1. As a science, psychology enables the

individual to learn more quickly and to choose a vocation more intelligently.

2. It enables a person to understand that no two individuals are exactly alike.

3. It enables one to resolve his own problems and to develop greater personal efficiency. Thus, the person develop himself into a well integrated and happy individual.

4. Psychology is applied to such fields as business, education, courtroom testimonies, etc.

VALUES OF PSYCHOLOGY In case of the businessman, the study of psychology is

of great advantage. It will help much in determining the consumer’s behavior, motive, attitudes, and the like.

Quite often, the facts of psychology are themselves applied, as in the case of courtroom testimony, Legal psychology involves applications in crime detection, in controlling delinquency, and in courtroom procedure. Testimony is evaluated in terms of what is known of man’s memory and of his sensory, and perceptual processes.

In the field of education, psychology provides the learner with a knowledge of individual differences which facilitates the educational process.

Psychology facts are also used in rearing children, in coaching athletes, in adjusting the aged, in training animals, and the other similar situations (Munn, 1961).

PSYCHIATRISTS AND CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS

Psychiatrists and clinical psychologists work in close relation with each other especially in dealing with severe cases of mental illness such as psychoses and some neuroses.

The psychiatrist is a physician with a medical degree (M.D.) who specializes in psychological problems. He is qualified to prescribed drugs and other medical treatments. Some psychiatrists are also psychoanalyst, receiving this designation because they specialize in the use of psychoanalytic procedures.

The clinical psychologist is usually a Ph. D. in psychology, although some also have an M.D. His major training and clinical experience is in psychology, with emphasis in behavior disorders. He may be accredited by a national or state board in clinical psychology. His function is to administer and evaluate psychological tests, thus facilitating diagnosis.

PSYCHIATRISTS AND CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGISTS

Less serious behavior disorders, including problems of school or home adjustments, are usually dealt with in psychological clinic. The clinical psychologist is responsible for nonmedical aspects of diagnosis and therapy. If the clinical psychologist suspects the presence of a severe mental disorder, he sends his client to a physician for medical diagnosis. Medical doctors, when they come across nonpsychotic behavior, disorders, and problems of adjustment, refer their patients to a clinical psychologist. More serious disorders are referred to a psychiatrists.