Psychology Psychology Studying the mind of the Studying the mind of the

individual individual

Aim: How does understanding the individual contribute to our study of Forces That Influences

Social Change?

Early Ideas about the MindEarly Ideas about the Mind 44thth century BCE—Although Greek century BCE—Although Greek

philosophers such as Aristotle philosophers such as Aristotle believed that the mind is in the believed that the mind is in the heart, Hippocrates describes the heart, Hippocrates describes the brain as the location of the mind;brain as the location of the mind;

22ndnd century ACE—influential Roman century ACE—influential Roman physician Galen supports physician Galen supports Hippocrates’ view;Hippocrates’ view;

Early IdeasEarly Ideas 1640’s French Philosopher Rene 1640’s French Philosopher Rene

Descartes proposes a dualistic theory Descartes proposes a dualistic theory of the mind and body with the non-of the mind and body with the non-physical soul located in the brain’s physical soul located in the brain’s pineal gland;pineal gland;

Modern views of the mind Modern views of the mind cont’dcont’d

1800’s—Phrenology—physiologist 1800’s—Phrenology—physiologist Franz Joseph Gall argues that Franz Joseph Gall argues that personality traits and mental abilities personality traits and mental abilities are housed in distinct areas of the are housed in distinct areas of the brain, and can be assessed by brain, and can be assessed by measuring the external dimensions measuring the external dimensions of the skull;of the skull;

Modern Views of the MindModern Views of the Mind 1879—Wilhelm Wundt sets up the 1879—Wilhelm Wundt sets up the

first psychological laboratory and first psychological laboratory and starts to measure behaviour. His starts to measure behaviour. His first methods involve asking people first methods involve asking people to reflect on their mental to reflect on their mental experiences; experiences;

Wundt is the founder of Wundt is the founder of Structuralism—Structuralism—conscious conscious behaviour could be studied when it behaviour could be studied when it is broken down into its elements.is broken down into its elements.

Modern Views of the MindModern Views of the Mind 1890’s—1890’s—FunctionalismFunctionalism– William James – William James

argued that mental characteristics have argued that mental characteristics have developed to allow people to survive; he developed to allow people to survive; he based his findings on Darwin’s theory of based his findings on Darwin’s theory of natural selection which explains behaviour natural selection which explains behaviour in terms of biological function. According in terms of biological function. According to functionalists, the human mind has to functionalists, the human mind has developed problem solving skills in order developed problem solving skills in order to ensure survival;to ensure survival;

Modern Views of the MindModern Views of the Mind 1900—Sigmund Freud published 1900—Sigmund Freud published The The

Interpretation of DreamsInterpretation of Dreams– he introduced – he introduced the idea of the unconscious and the role it the idea of the unconscious and the role it plays in our everyday mental life;plays in our everyday mental life;

1912– 1912– Gestalt PsychologyGestalt Psychology—Max —Max Wertheimer proposes that perception is a Wertheimer proposes that perception is a subjective experience that cannot be subjective experience that cannot be understood by looking into its constituent understood by looking into its constituent parts;parts;

Modern views of PsychologyModern views of Psychology 1925—1925—BehaviourismBehaviourism—John Watson —John Watson

and later B.F. Skinner argue that all and later B.F. Skinner argue that all behaviours can be understood as a behaviours can be understood as a result of learning, and that to predict result of learning, and that to predict behaviour one has to look at behaviour one has to look at environmental forces;environmental forces;

1950’—1950’—Cognitive PsychologyCognitive Psychology——focuses on the mental processes focuses on the mental processes (Intelligence tests);(Intelligence tests);

Modern PsychologyModern Psychology 1960’s—Advances in drug treatment trials 1960’s—Advances in drug treatment trials

support theories of a biological basis for support theories of a biological basis for many types of mental disorders such as many types of mental disorders such as depression and schizophrenia;depression and schizophrenia;

1990’s—A number of fields including 1990’s—A number of fields including neuroscience, cognitive psychology, neuroscience, cognitive psychology, computer science and neurology forge the computer science and neurology forge the field of neurosciencefield of neuroscience

Into the 21Into the 21stst century—Genetics—the century—Genetics—the Human Genome;Human Genome;

Who are Psychologists? Who are Psychologists?

They study how and why humans act They study how and why humans act the ways they dothe ways they do

Instead of studying how humans Instead of studying how humans function in cultures or societies, function in cultures or societies, psychologists focus on the psychologists focus on the individual, and the personal and individual, and the personal and unique experiences that influence unique experiences that influence how the individual acts and thinks how the individual acts and thinks

Types of Psychology Types of Psychology

Experimental Psychology Experimental Psychology The branch of the discipline that sets The branch of the discipline that sets

up experiments to see how up experiments to see how individuals act in particular situationsindividuals act in particular situations

QuestionQuestion - - Would you help a Would you help a complete stranger that was being complete stranger that was being threatened with violence from threatened with violence from another person? another person?

Case Study:Case Study:“When Bystanders Join In”“When Bystanders Join In”

Pg. 16. Questions 1 &2Pg. 16. Questions 1 &2

The Case of Kitty Genovese The Case of Kitty Genovese The Case of Kitty Genovese - Kitty was murdered on The Case of Kitty Genovese - Kitty was murdered on

the street outside her New York City apartment after the street outside her New York City apartment after loud shouting was heard - 38 people witnessed the loud shouting was heard - 38 people witnessed the murder but did nothing to stop it murder but did nothing to stop it

Psychologists have long been interested in our Psychologists have long been interested in our unwillingness to get involved in uncomfortable unwillingness to get involved in uncomfortable situations even if someone’s personal safety is at risk situations even if someone’s personal safety is at risk

People have a tendency see themselves as People have a tendency see themselves as bystanders in such situations rather than as bystanders in such situations rather than as ACTORS ACTORS

ACTORSACTORS are people who become active participants are people who become active participants in a situationin a situation

Clinical Psychology Clinical Psychology

CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGYCLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY is the is the branch of the discipline that develops branch of the discipline that develops programs for treating individuals programs for treating individuals suffering from mental illnesses and suffering from mental illnesses and behavioral disordersbehavioral disorders

E.g. Psychologists treat dangerous E.g. Psychologists treat dangerous offenders in federal prisons in an offenders in federal prisons in an attempt to prevent them from re-attempt to prevent them from re-offending on release offending on release

Psychological Schools of Psychological Schools of Thought Thought

Like the other social sciences, Like the other social sciences, psychology has been divided into a psychology has been divided into a number of schools of thought number of schools of thought

Psychoanalytic Theory Psychoanalytic Theory Behaviouralism Behaviouralism Learning TheoryLearning Theory

Psychoanalytic Theory Psychoanalytic Theory

The mind is divided into two parts: the The mind is divided into two parts: the conscious and the unconsciousconscious and the unconscious

We are aware of our conscious but not We are aware of our conscious but not aware of our unconsciousaware of our unconscious

According to psychologists, our According to psychologists, our unconscious mind has more influence than unconscious mind has more influence than our conscious mind on our personalities our conscious mind on our personalities and our behavior and our behavior

Childhood experiences are stored in Childhood experiences are stored in unconscious mindunconscious mind

Live with frustration = neuroses & Live with frustration = neuroses & abnormal behaviourabnormal behaviour

Criminal behaviour stems from Criminal behaviour stems from frustration in childhoodfrustration in childhood

Dream analysis & hypnosis to unlock Dream analysis & hypnosis to unlock frustration in childhoodfrustration in childhood

Basis of clinical psychologyBasis of clinical psychology

The Unconscious Mind The Unconscious Mind

The Unconscious mind is divided into three The Unconscious mind is divided into three parts: parts:

1.1. IdId – which encourages us to seek – which encourages us to seek physical satisfaction physical satisfaction

2.2. SuperegoSuperego – prompts us to do the moral – prompts us to do the moral thing, not the one that feels best thing, not the one that feels best

3.3. EgoEgo – the referee between the two and – the referee between the two and deals with external reality, this is our deals with external reality, this is our most conscious selfmost conscious self

The Central Approach to The Central Approach to Psychoanalytical TheoryPsychoanalytical Theory

Is that the unconscious mind can Is that the unconscious mind can be unlocked through Dream be unlocked through Dream Analysis and HypnosisAnalysis and Hypnosis

Criticisms of this approach Criticisms of this approach - - problems can arise from bringing up problems can arise from bringing up repressed memories, raises repressed memories, raises questions as to creating false questions as to creating false memories.memories.

Sigmund Freud Sigmund Freud The founder of The founder of

psychoanalytic theory psychoanalytic theory

He believed our early He believed our early childhood experiences, childhood experiences, usually involving our usually involving our relationships with relationships with parents and family, are parents and family, are stored in our stored in our unconscious mind unconscious mind

While we are normally While we are normally unaware of these unaware of these memories, they can memories, they can have a powerful have a powerful influence on the way we influence on the way we functionfunction

Famous Practitioner Famous Practitioner – Sigmund Freud– Sigmund Freud

Criticisms:Criticisms:

• Freud felt sexual satisfaction key element Freud felt sexual satisfaction key element of personality. Alfred Adler & Carl Jung of personality. Alfred Adler & Carl Jung feel it is only one factor.feel it is only one factor.

Alfred Adler (1870-1937) Alfred Adler (1870-1937) AdlerAdler - believed that - believed that

difficulties people difficulties people encounter in gaining encounter in gaining self-esteem and self-esteem and recognition, if not recognition, if not overcome by the overcome by the normal means lead to normal means lead to compensatory behavior compensatory behavior and resultant and resultant personality disorders personality disorders which are now widely which are now widely referred to as an referred to as an inferiority complexinferiority complex. .

Carl Jung (1875-1961)Carl Jung (1875-1961) Responsible for the Responsible for the

identification of the identification of the ExtrovertedExtroverted (outward- (outward-looking) and looking) and IntrovertedIntroverted (inward-looking) personality (inward-looking) personality types. types.

Worked closely with Freud Worked closely with Freud but split later in their but split later in their careers careers

The other aspect of Jung's The other aspect of Jung's work which has been very work which has been very influential is his approach to influential is his approach to the analysis of dreams. the analysis of dreams.

BehavioralismBehavioralism Behaviorists believe that psychologists can predict Behaviorists believe that psychologists can predict

and control or modify human behavior by and control or modify human behavior by identifying the factors that motivate it in the first identifying the factors that motivate it in the first placeplace

Behaviorists placed particular stress on the early Behaviorists placed particular stress on the early childhood years, and the rules or practices parents childhood years, and the rules or practices parents use to raise their children.use to raise their children.

They believe these methods have a huge influence They believe these methods have a huge influence on the character of individuals even into on the character of individuals even into adulthood.adulthood.

Criticisms includeCriticisms include: It is difficult to substantiate : It is difficult to substantiate results, ignores the influence of heredity.results, ignores the influence of heredity.

Famous Practitioners-Famous Practitioners- John B. John B. Watson Benjamin SpockWatson Benjamin Spock

Criticisms:Criticisms: Difficult to substantiate either way of Difficult to substantiate either way of

raising childrenraising children Individuality means each child must Individuality means each child must

be raised uniquelybe raised uniquely Ignored heredityIgnored heredity

Charles B. Watson (1878-Charles B. Watson (1878-1958) 1958)

The founder of The founder of behaviouralism behaviouralism

He used animal He used animal experiments to determine experiments to determine whether strict or flexible whether strict or flexible learning patterns are more learning patterns are more effective effective

He believed children He believed children should be brought up should be brought up using strictly using strictly scheduled, rules-based scheduled, rules-based models.models.

Benjamin Spock (1903-Benjamin Spock (1903-1998) 1998)

He believed that a He believed that a permissive permissive approach to child approach to child rearing, rather rearing, rather than a strict one, than a strict one, would result in would result in successful, well-successful, well-adjusted adults. adjusted adults.

He encouraged He encouraged parents to be loving, parents to be loving, flexible and flexible and supportivesupportive

Learning Theory Learning Theory Learning Theorists agree that humans are born Learning Theorists agree that humans are born

with little instinct but much learning potentialwith little instinct but much learning potential

They believe that most human behavior is They believe that most human behavior is learned, especially in child and youth.learned, especially in child and youth.

By controlling the way in which humans learn By controlling the way in which humans learn behavior, society can have a great influence on behavior, society can have a great influence on their ultimate personalities.their ultimate personalities.

Criticisms includeCriticisms include: Treats people like robots – : Treats people like robots – assumes we behave the same way given identical assumes we behave the same way given identical rewards and/or punishments.rewards and/or punishments.

Wide area of studyWide area of study Humans born with little instinct, but Humans born with little instinct, but

much learning potentialmuch learning potential Most behaviour is learnedMost behaviour is learned Animals used to assess stimulus-Animals used to assess stimulus-

responseresponse Good parenting = good kidsGood parenting = good kids Bandura added modeling / observation Bandura added modeling / observation

to behaviour learningto behaviour learning

Famous Practitioners:Famous Practitioners:Ivan Pavlov, Ivan Pavlov, B.F. Skinner, Albert BanduraB.F. Skinner, Albert Bandura

Criticisms:Criticisms:

Can't summarize it neatlyCan't summarize it neatly Is learning one of a few elements or Is learning one of a few elements or

the interplay of many?the interplay of many?

Ivan Pavlov (1849-1936) Ivan Pavlov (1849-1936)

Pavlov’s experiments Pavlov’s experiments with dogs showed that with dogs showed that it was possible to get it was possible to get a dog to associate the a dog to associate the sound of a bell with sound of a bell with the imminent arrival the imminent arrival of food of food

At the sound of a bell, At the sound of a bell, the dog would salivate the dog would salivate in anticipationin anticipation

B.F. Skinner (1904-1990) B.F. Skinner (1904-1990) Skinner proved that Skinner proved that

pigeons could be trained to pigeons could be trained to peck at a particular colored peck at a particular colored disk to get food rewards disk to get food rewards

Rats received food rewards Rats received food rewards for pressing a bar in a for pressing a bar in a complicated sequence complicated sequence leading many theorists to leading many theorists to believe that learning was a believe that learning was a STIMULUS-RESPONSESTIMULUS-RESPONSE effect effect

He believed that if the He believed that if the subject is correctly subject is correctly stimulated it will give stimulated it will give the appropriate the appropriate responseresponse

Alfred Bandura (Born in Alfred Bandura (Born in 1925) 1925)

Bandura concluded that learning is Bandura concluded that learning is largely a modeling experiencelargely a modeling experience

When humans observe behavior – When humans observe behavior – either acceptable or unacceptable – either acceptable or unacceptable – they are more likely to practice itthey are more likely to practice it

Question - What does this mean to Question - What does this mean to us?us?

Featured PsychologistFeatured PsychologistFeatured PsychologistFeatured Psychologist Basic WorkBasic Work Similarities & DifferencesSimilarities & Differences

B.F. SkinnerAmerican behavioural Psychologist

•Operant conditioning•Behaviours increase if rewarded and decrease if punished

Focus on individualsMechanistic evaluation of human actions based on reactions of others and self

Carl JungAmerican psychologist

Personal collective unconsciousCan only treat if we understand the way the person’s personality has been formed (typology)

Focus on individualsConcept of collective unconscious affecting personality development

Abraham MaslowAmerican psychologist

Hierarchy of human needsLower needs must be met before we can meet higher needs, with self-actualization as a distant goal

Focus on individualsIdeas of basic human needs being met

Marion WoodmanCanadian Jungian Analyst

Patriarchy is outdatedWe need to be free ourselves from patriarchy, stop placing science above the spiritual, and take a more holistic approach to life.

Focus on individualConcerned with how patriarchal ideas have shaped our personality.