Unit 1: Chapters 1 and 2

How do we study the mind?

Are today’s approaches to psychology adequate?

Unit I

Approaches to Psychology

Psychology Scientific study of human and animal behavior and

mental processes.

A Theory A general framework or idea for scientific study.

Cognition The mental processes involved in acquiring

knowledge.

Psychoanalysis Theory developed by

Freud that attempts to explain personality, motivation, and mental disorders by focusing on unconscious determinants of behavior.

Humanistic Approach A psychological approach that stresses that humans

are free, intelligent creatures trying to achieve personal growth.

(Neuro)biological

views behavior as the result of your nervous system functions and biology

Behavioral A theory of behavior that stresses observable events.

Sociocultural Behavior is

influenced by rules

and expectations of

social groups,

families

or cultures.

Evolutionary Theory that examines behavior in terms of its adaptive

value for humans over time.

A Psychologist A person who

specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mental problems and disorders.

A Psychiatrist Medical doctor who

specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mental problems and disorders.

Gerontology

The study of aging!

The American Psychological AssociationFounded in 1892, it is the major psychological association in the United States and is made of more than 50 divisions, or areas of psychology

DEFINITIONCHARACTERISTICS

EXAMPLES Non-EXAMPLES

PSYCHOLOGY

WHAT IS PSYCHOLOGY?

The scientific study of human and animal behavior and the mental processes.

The Goals of Psychology Describe – gathering information about a

behavior.

Explain – WHY people and animals act the way they do

Predict – use the knowledge gathered to predict an outcome

Influence – finding out more through research and application of research

Basic Science (Research) v. Applied Science (Use of Research findings to solve problems)

Raphael’s School of Athens (Vatican Museum, Rome)

The Philosophical Roots of Psychology Aristotle: “The Psyche is the essence of life”

A Few Who Shaped Psychology Wilhelm Wundt; William James; Sigmund Freud;

John B. Watson; Charles Darwin

In a group of 5 create the profile of the assigned theorist.

Include: What’s their job, where did they study, where are they from, what’s their philosophy, what are their favorite quotes, who are some of their friends, any other general information

Tell me about this person and their contribution to psychology via their Facebook page!

Prior to 1879 studying behavior was a hobby of physiology and philosophy

Physiology + Philosophy = Psychology

Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920) University of Leipzig, Germany

Established the first laboratory for the study of psychology in 1879

Wundt known as “Father of Psychology”

Psychology was born

Psychology: Birth of a New Science

Leipzig becomes the place to study psychology

Graduates of Wundt’s program set up new labs across Europe and North America

William James is the Father of Psychology in the USA as he began teaching the first psychology course at Harvard

Psychology was BORN in Germany, But RAISED in the USA

Why would Psychology take off in the USA as opposed to Europe???

Psychology Goes International

Two intellectual schools of thought regarding the science of psychology:

Structuralism – led by Wilhelm Wundt Structuralists focused on analyzing consciousness into basic

elements

Introspection – careful, systematic observations of one’s own conscious experience

Functionalism – led by William James (at Harvard) Functionalists focused on investigating the function or purpose

of consciousness

Who do you think won??? Why?

The Battle of the “Schools” in the U.S.: Wundt vs. James

Most historians give the edge to James and the functionalists

Today, psychologists are not really categorized as structuralists or functionalists

Applied psychology and Behaviorism are the descendants of functionalism

*Why would Functionalism beat out Structuralism?

**With a partner, create a timeline of the evolution of psychology

Who Won the Battle?

The Central Question of Psychology:

NATURE v. NURTURE

Each of the 7 approaches to psychology has it’s own viewpoint on this debate

John B. Watson (1878-1958): United States of America Founder of Behaviorism

Psychology = scientific study of behavior

Behavior = overt or observable responses or activities

Radical reorientation of psychology as a science of observable behavior ONLY!

Watson’s famous quote--Doctor, Lawyer, Beggar-man, Thief

Behaviorism: Nature or Nurture???

Behaviorism: The 1st Child of Functionalism

Sigmund Freud (1856-1939): Austria

Founded Psychoanalytic school of thought

Emphasis on unconscious processes influencing behavior

Unconscious = outside awareness

Behavior is influenced by the unconscious

1) Childhood Experiences

2) Sexual Aggressions and Urges

3) Unknown Motivators

Psychoanalysis: Nature or Nurture??

Freud: the Unconscious Mind

B.F. Skinner (1904-1990): United States of America

Following Freud’s work of the early 1900s, Skinner Revived Watson’s Behavioral Theory and brought psychology back to OBSERVABLE BEHAVIOR ONLY!

Environmental factors determine behavior

Responses that lead to positive outcomes are repeated

Responses that lead to negative outcomes are not repeated

Operant Conditioning

Behaviorism Revisited: B.F. Skinner

HUMANISTS believed that both the psychoanalytic and behavioral approaches were dehumanizing

Diverse opposition groups got together to form a loose alliance

Humanism was born

Led by Abraham Maslow (1908-1970) and Carl Rogers (1902-1987)

Emphasis on the unique qualities of humans: freedom and personal growthFREE WILL

Humanism: Nature or Nurture??

The 1950’s: Opposition to Psychoanalytic Theory and Behaviorism

Develops

Cognition = mental processes involved in acquiring knowledge

1950’s and 60’s – Piaget, Chomsky

Application of scientific methods to studying internal mental events

To get a full picture of the mind and behavior you must study the UNOBSERABLE as well!!

Cognition: Nature or Nurture??

Cognitive psychology brings the MIND back to the forefront!

Biological Perspective = behavior explained in terms of physiological processesFocus on the chemical changes in the brain and the psychical changes of the body

James Olds (1956)

Electrical stimulation of the brain evokes emotional responses in animals

Roger Sperry (1981)

Left and right brain specialization

Neurobiological: Nature or Nurture??

(Nuero)Biological Psychology: The Biological Basis of Behavior

EVOLUTIONARY PSYCH: natural selection occurs for behavioral, as well as physical, characteristics

Looks at human behavior in terms of its adaptive value

80’s and 90’s theorists revived the theories of Darwinand his followers

Studied natural selection of mating preferences, jealousy, aggression, sexual behavior, language, decision making, personality, and development

Evolutionary: Nature or Nurture??

Evolutionary Psychology: Functionalism Revisited

Sociocultural Approach: Focuses on the role religion, ethnicity, culture, SES, etc. have on the human mind and behavior

1980’s – increased interest in how cultural factors influence behavior

growing global interdependence

increased cultural diversity

CON: Ethnocentrism – viewing one’s own group as superior and as the standard for judging

NOT A MELTING POT, but a SALAD BOWL!!!!

Sociocultural: Nature or Nurture???

Sociocultural Psychology: Cultural Diversity

PROS and CONS What are the strengths and weaknesses of each

approach if you are to look at them in isolation?

ECLECTIC PSYCHOLOGY

*Jay Worksheet

The Approaches to Psychology: Outrageous Celebrity Activity Think of the most

outrageous celebrity you can.

Write a list of 5 behaviors this person has exhibited.

Then explain the behaviors from the point of view of each major perspective.

You may be as ridiculous in your reasoning as the behavior itself as long as it falls in line with the perspective.

Dennis Rodman

Explanations Biological: He has a high

level of estrogen that makes him feel as though he should wear women’s clothing.

Psychodynamic: He was traumatized as a child when he was not permitted to have a Halloween costume. He has repressed his memory but dresses in outrageous clothing to compensate for his loss as a child.

Behavioral: His father and grandfather were both cross-dressers and frequently dyed their hair. He is imitating their behavior.

Cognitive: He interprets his role in the NBA as needing to create attention for his team. As a result, he thinks that cross-dressing, dying his hair and tattooing his body will create the attention his team needs.

Want to major in psychology?

OK, so what can you do with this degree???

Psychologist v. Psychiatrist Psychologist Psychiatrist

A person who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mental problems and disorders.

Hold an PhD or EdD

Medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of mental problems and disorders.

Hold an MD

Prescribe Medication

Clinical v. Counseling PsychologyCLINICAL COUNSELING

A psychologist who diagnosis and treats people with emotional disturbances or SEVEREdisorders

A psychologist who diagnosis and treats people with EVERYDAYproblems—general problems of living

Other Areas of Psychology Application

Developmental Psychology

Educational Psychology

Community Psychologist

Industrial/Organizational Psychologist

Forensic Psychologist

Psychobiologist

Experimental Psychology

School Psychologist

Sports Psychology

OTHER: Hotline advisor;

salesperson; life coach; HR; Mental Health Assistant

Main areas psychologists work

What areas do psychologists research?