WHS AP Psychology

Unit 1: Science of Psychology

Essential Task 1-3:Trace the growth of psychology with specific attention to structuralism and functionalism in the early years.

We are here

The Science of Psychology

Approaches to Psych

Growth of Psych

Research Methods Statistics

Descriptive Correlation Experiment

Case Study

Survey

Naturalistic Observation

Descriptive Inferential

Ethics

Sampling

Central Tendency Variance

Careers

Essential Task 1-3:

• Early Psychology– First Lab – Wundt– Structuralism – Titchner– Functionalism – William James

• Psychoanalytic – Freud• Behaviorism – Pavlov, Watson and Skinner• Cognitive Revolution• Contemporary Trends in Psychology

Outline

Early Psychology - Wundt

• Wilhelm Wundt opened the first psychology laboratory at the University of Liepzig in 1879. By insisting on measurement and

experimentation he moves psychology from a philosophy to a science

Outline

This is my lab!

Structuralism

Bradford Titchner School of psychology

that stressed the basic units of experience (physical sensation, feelings, and memories) and the combinations in which they occur.

Study these ‘atoms of experience’ to get the structure of the mind

Break this down to its atoms of experience

How do you know what this is?How is your mind structured in

order to perceive it?

So what is this?

And this? How’s structuralism working for you now?

Functionalism William James

Rejects Structuralism Influenced by Darwin

Functionalism –theory of mental life and behavior that is concerned with how an organism uses its perceptual abilities to function in its environment.

Functionalists wanted to the whole system of mental processes rather than focusing on the tiny elements elements of consciousness

Functionalism also emphasized individual differences, which had a profound impact on education.

Structuralism vs. Functionalism

How would each study this situation?

Psychodynamic Psychology

• Sigmund Freud• Behavior results from forces at

work within the individual, often at an unconscious level. Often formed during childhood.

• Late 1800s• Since the person can’t access

their own unconscious, it is hard to prove or disprove this theory scientifically.

Psychodynamic = Unconscious

Behaviorism

• Studied only observable behaviors• Studied how organisms learn behaviors.• Classical Conditioning – learning that results

from things happening to you.– Ivan Pavlov – Dogs– John B. Watson – Baby Albert

• Operant Conditioning – learning that results from getting rewards or punishments.– B.F. Skinner – Skinner Box

Behaviorism

The Cognitive Revolution

• The precursors to cognitive psychology:– Gestalt psychology

• Study of how we perceive objects as whole patterns• Therapy that wishes to treat the whole person

– Humanistic psychology• Emphasizes realization of full potential• Recognizes importance of love, self esteem,

belonging, and self-actualization

The Cognitive Revolution

• Study of mental processesThinkingLearningFeelingRememberingDecision making

New Directions in Psychology

• Evolutionary psychology– Studies the adaptive value of behaviors

and mental processes• Positive psychology

– Study of the subjective feelings of happiness and well-being

– Focus is on positive attitude