History and Approaches to

Psychology

ROOTS OF PSYCHOLOGY

Psychology: The scientific study of behavior and mental processes

Let’s break down the definition:• Behavior: Anything that you do that can be observed• Mental Processes: Internal experiences such as thoughts,

feelings, sensations, and perceptions

PSYCHOLOGY AS A SCIENCE

Psychology was not considered an area of scientific study until the 1870’s

when the ideas philosophy and physiology were combined

MODERN APPROACHES

MODERN APPROACHES

1. Psychoanalytic2. Behavioral3. Humanistic4. Cognitive5. Biological6. Socio-Cultural7. Evolutionary

PSYCHOANALYTIC THEORY

Sigmund Freud: viewed person as being pushed and pulled by unconscious wants & desires

Repression of wants & desires leads to mental disorders later in life

PSYCHOANALTIC THEORY: Explains personality, motivation, and mental disorders by focusing on unconscious determinants of behavior • People are not the masters of their own minds• Emphasizes role of conflict in our lives and early

childhood experiences • Because we cannot accept them in our conscious,

thoughts find their expression in dreams, slips of the tongue that appear as accidents and even jokes• “Freudian Slips”

Superego

Ego

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Psychoanalysis: Pros and Cons

• Pros:– Impact of childhood on development– Many ideas still used in mainstream psychology

• Cons:– No focus on observable behavior– Can’t be scientifically proven– Ignores other explanations– Doesn’t look at changing behavior, just underlying causes

B. F. Skinner: Operant Conditioning. Voluntary behavior and learning due to consequences (reinforcement & punishment). Controlled by rewards = NO FREE WILL

John B. Watson (1913): Father of Behaviorism - observe & measure behavior. Known for “Little Albert” study

BEHAVIORAL: emphasizes observable behavior rather than the role of the consciousness.

Believe behavior is governed by the environment

Ivan Pavlov: Classical Conditioning - Involuntary behavior = Associative Learning in dogs through saliva responses after hearing a bell.

Nature vs. Nurture Controversy

Nature: Certain elementary ideas are innate to the human mind; not gained through experience• Men are born, not made

Nurture: Anything we know we have learned through experience • Men are made, not born

Nature or Nurture?

HUMANISM: emphasizes the unique qualities of humans, especially their their potential for personal growth

Thought other approaches were “dehumanizing” and suggested people weren’t masters of their own destinies

People have a basic need to continue to evolve and fulfill their potential; many psychological disturbances are due to thwarting these needs

Abraham Maslow: Hierarchy of Needs - each level of needs must be satisfied before one moves onto the next.

Self Actualization- strive to be the best one can.

Carl Rogers: Focused on the feelings of the client. Unconditional positive regard Fostered a therapeutic approach to therapy.

Fully functioning: personal growth, free will, self-determination

COGNITIVE: refers to mental activity including thinking, remembering, problem solving, decision making, learning & using language.

Thoughts impact behavior. “People act because they think.”

Emphasizes the importance of receiving, storing, and processing information

Jean Piaget: identified 4 stages of cognitive development in children

BIOLOGICAL: behavior can be explained in terms of brain structures and biochemical processes that allow organisms to behave.

SOCIO-CULTURAL APPROACH: Examines the cultural differences in an attempt to understand, predict, and control behavior

As time progressed more people were traveling and visiting other cultures

Psychologists soon recognized the difference in cultural gestures, body language, and spoken language.

Lev Vygotsky: those we interact with are responsible for the development of higher order functions.

EVOLUTIONARY: Examines behavioral processes in terms of their adaptive value for members over the course of many generations

Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection.

Those organisms best suited to their environments will flourish & pass on genes more successfully than those with poorer adaptations.

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CognitiveBehavioral

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PROMINENCE OF THEORIES

Intro to Psych Crash Course

Wooo diploma! Now what??

Subfields of Psychology

• Clinical Psychologists: Evaluate and treat mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders

• Counseling Psychologists: Help people adapt to change or make changes in their lifestyle

• Developmental Psychologists: Study psychological development throughout a lifespan

• Engineering Psychologists: Do research on how people function best with machines

Subfields of Psychology• Educational Psychologists: Focus on

how effective teaching and learning take place

• Forensic Psychologists: Apply psychological principles to legal/criminal issues

• Health Psychologists: Concentrate on biological, psychological, and social factors associated with health and illness

• Industrial/Organizational Psychologists: Aim to improve productivity and the quality of work life by applying psychological principles and methods to the workplace

Subfields of Psychology• Neuropsychologists: Explore the

relationship between brain/nervous systems and behavior

• Psychometricians: Focus on methods for acquiring and analyzing psychological data

• Rehabilitation Psychologists: Help clients with mental retardation, developmental disabilities, and disabilities resulting from neurological injury

• School Psychologists: Assess and counsel students, consult with educators and parents, and perform behavioral intervention when necessary

Subfields of Psychology

• Social Psychologists: Focus on how a person’s mental life and behavior are shaped by interactions with other people

• Sports Psychologists: Help athletes refine their focus on competition goals, increase motivation, and deal with anxiety and fear of failure