PSYCH 101 - Chapter 1

Study guide for topics talked about in class

Wilhelm Wundt (1832-1920)

Mounted a campaign to make psychology an independent discipline. Often called the father of experimental psychology.

G. Stanley Hall

First American psychologist, and first president of the APA. Produced work for child development and the evolutionary theory.

Mary Whiton Calkins

First woman president of the APA in 1905. Refused a doctoral degree from Harvard because she was a woman.

Margaret Washburn

First woman to get her Ph.D. in psychology. Second woman president of the APA (1921). Worked on animal psychology in the experimental sector.

Leta Hollingworth

Female who worked in adolescent development. Coined the term, “gifted children.” Debunked the belief that women were inferior to men.

Structuralism

Focuses on analyzing consciousness, such as sensations, perception, vision, feelings, and hearing. Wilhelm Wundt is the father of this. One of two major schools of thought.

Introspection

Carefully and systematically self-observing one’s own conscious experience.

Functionalism

The belief that psychology should study the PURPOSE of consciousness. William James is the father of this. One of two major schools of thought.

William James

Believed that consciousness is the continuous flow of thoughts

Sigmund Freud

Austrian doctor associated with Functionalism. Concerned himself with mental disorders regarding fears, obsessions and anxiety. Discovered the unconscious.

Freudian slip

Slip of the tongue reveals our true feelings.

Psychoanalytic theory

Explains unconscious determinants of behavior. Freud claims this is often rooted in seuxual urges

Behaviorism (Early 1900s)

They agree that you should study ONLY observable behavior.

James B. Watson

Father of behaviorism.

B.F. Skinner (1950s)

Believed that free will is an illusion.

Skinner’s idea

Organisms will repeat responses that lead to good outcomes. They will not repeat outcomes that lead to bad behavior. Everything that is done is a result of external stimuli.

Humanist (1950s)

Emphasizes the unique qualities of humans, and they believe that animal research is not relevant to understanding human behaviors.

Carl Rogers (1902-1987)

Psychologist that believed that our sense of self guides our behavior, which is something animals don’t have.

Unifying themes of psychology

1.) Psychology is empirical
2.) Psychology is theoretically diverse
3.) Psychology evolves in a sociohistorical context
4.) Behavior is determined by multiple causes
5.) Behavior is shaped by cultural heritage
6.) Heredity and environment jointly influence behavior
7.) People’s experiences are highly subjective