Foundations and Schools of Psychology

Wundt

Founder of psychology; established first lab in 1879.

Introspection

Examination of one's own feelings and motives.

Stimuli

Physical energy sensed by an organism.

Experimental self-observation

Combines introspection and objective measurement.

William James

Focused on mental processes aiding adaptation.

Structuralism

Analyzes basic elements of conscious experience.

Edward B. Titchener

Brought structuralism to North America.

Criticism of introspection

Not objective; subjective self-reporting.

Functionalism

Studies how mental processes help adaptation.

Charles Darwin

Influenced functionalism with natural selection theory.

Behaviorism

Focuses on observable, measurable behavior.

Pavlov

Conducted conditioning experiments with dogs.

Watson

Emphasized environment's role in behavior.

B.F. Skinner

Known for behavior modification techniques.

Skinner Box

Device for studying behavior through reinforcement.

Cognitive behaviorism

Combines thinking with environmental control.

Gestalt Psychology

Perceives objects as whole units.

Max Wertheimer

Founder of Gestalt psychology.

Psychoanalytic Psychology

Explores unconscious thoughts influencing behavior.

Freud

Pioneer of psychotherapy and psychoanalysis.

Freudian slips

Unconscious thoughts expressed through errors.

Neo-Freudians

Modified Freud's ideas, emphasizing social motives.

Humanistic Psychology

Focuses on human uniqueness and free will.

Self-actualization

Process of realizing personal potential.

Margaret Washburn

Notable woman in psychology's history.

Francis Cecil Sumner

First African American with a psychology doctorate.

Psychological perspectives

Biological, psychological, and sociocultural viewpoints.

Eclectic approach

Combines insights from various psychological perspectives.

Positive psychology

Studies human strengths and effective functioning.

Cultural relativity

Behavior judged relative to cultural values.

Social norms

Rules defining acceptable behavior in groups.